Escape to the Gardens of Chartwell

Gardens have become a real solace for so many of us during the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.  Those of us fortunate enough to have our own have found a peacefulness in the garden it’s been difficult to find elsewhere.  Flowers, trees, birds, all these things are dependable and heartening when everything else feels sad and fragile.

I imagine Winston and Clementine found the same solace in the extensive grounds and gardens of Chartwell, their former home.  Chartwell is tucked into the rolling countryside of Kent, the county proudly known as The Garden of England.  Could there be a more appropriate county for a Prime Minister who was known as one of England’s finest to have lived?

The Background

The National Trust actually acquired Chartwell 18 years before Winston’s death. The upkeep of such a large estate was hugely expensive and the Churchill’s were finding this increasingly burdensome. It twas offered it the National Trust in 1946/47 after it was purchased by a group of business men for the princely sum of £50,000.  There was one condition, Winston and Clementine should be allowed to continue to live there for as long as they wished.  Winston finally left Chartwell in October 1964 due to his poor health, moving to his London flat in Hyde Park. He died just a few weeks after his 90th birthday in 1965, and later that year,  Lady Churchill also left for a home in London too.

The Gardens

Visiting involves following a one way system which begins at the entrance to the gardens.  Its easy to follow and is actually a good way of seeing everything.  This doesn’t meant you can’t wander amongst flower beds at will, it just creates an order and a safe way of viewing the gardens.

At the foot of the house, and as you enter the gardens, is a ‘swimming pool’.  A round and now rather murky man made pool where Winston enjoyed a morning swim.  The image of the larger than life prime minister lumbering his way from the house bedecked in robes and a bathing costume is an amusing if slightly disconcerting one!

As in all true english gardens, there are lots of roses and cottage garden flowers.  The golden rose avenue which I imagine is at its best a bit earlier in the summer dates from 1958 and was gift from the Churchill’s Children to commemorate the couple’s golden wedding anniversary.  Lady Churchill’s Rose Garden is also a joy.  It is a lovely sheltered and well tended area which leads to the terraced lawn and more open areas.  A neat as a new pin croquet lawn and a small pet cemetery border, the resting places for the Churchill’s pets are also part of the upper tiers of the gardens.

The Walled Garden was the highlight for me.  Its huge and absolutely bursting with foliage and colour even in the dry summer months we have been having in the south east.  The rows of dahlias are a real showstopper and certainly put the 3 plants in my garden into perspective!

There are large fruit and vegetable patches filled with courgettes and squash and of course those apples which the Kent country side is so famous for.  The tress in the orchard area at the moment are dripping with firm green afruit. Signage informed us they are not yet ready for eating but when they are, they will be made into pure and sweet apple juice.  Despite this, resisting the temptation to pick one from the weighted boughs was tricky.

The Views

There are some wonderful views across the sweeping Kent country side.  its very easy to find peace and tranquility as you stand at the foot of the house or at the top of the orchard and look out across England’s green and pleasant land.  I feel sure Winston Churchill must have stood here, perplexed and worried as war raged throughout Europe.

The garden is a lovely mix of formal areas, wild meadows, orchard and beds thick with the scent of summer flowers.  It is very easy to see why Chartwell was so beloved by the Churchills.  It’s a little (or quite large) piece of paradise in the Kent country side.  Close enough to London to provide easy access and yet far enough away to feel completely detached. A perfect place to escape to, it must have provided the halcyon days Winston craved during a time of huge pressure and the greatest turmoil our country has yet known

“A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted”

 – Winston Churchill

I suspect few of us have gardens the size of Chartwell. Even if a window box, a balcony or a postage stamp size urban garden is all you have, you can’t help but be inspired here.  The riot of colour, and the array of flowers and plants will have your reaching for the nearest packet of seeds and planning for next year.

Practicalities

Timed entry tickets have to be pre booked via the National trust website. (Don’t be deterred it’s getting easier as more tickets are released now)

The shop, the cafe and of course the toilets are open.  Face coverings have to of course be worn in the shop and numbers are restricted.

Chartwell is found at Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1PS