Chartwell, Kent

Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill

We visited Chartwell because this was the home of Winston Churchill until his death. It has a wonderful collection of memorabilia connected with Churchill, including a medals room and a robes room. For a prime minister from a noble family and a towering political figure in the 20th century, Chartwell is rather modestly furnished. However, the house has a spectacular views across the Weald of Kent, which perhaps compensate for a house that has no great architectural merit.

Uncharacteristically for the National Trust, visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the house. 

The view from the drawing room, Chartwell

Chartwell seen from the landscaped gardens 

The Studio that displays a collection of Churchill's paintings

Much is made of Churchill's passion and love of painting. But his output, though significant in volume, was nothing special. His ability as an artist is dwarfed by his literary achievement of winning the Nobel prize for literature in 1953.