Chartwell

On our way home we visited Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill, in Kent.

Winston Churchill bought the house, without consulting his wife, in the early 1920s and had it extensively renovated. Lady Churchill never liked the house as she felt it would be a financial burden on them, which it proved to be. After the end of World War II a consortium of friends purchased the house from the Churchills but gave them life rent of it, with the intention that after their deaths the house and grounds would be given to the nation which is why it is now a National Trust property.

Some of the rooms have been restored to reflect what the house would have been like in the 1920s and 30s. Also on display are many of Sir Winston's uniforms as well as gifts and letters from grateful world leaders.

The grounds are huge, with spectacular views over the Wealds of Kent, and have some well defined and carefully planned 'garden rooms' including two rose gardens and a huge kitchen garden. Sir Winston was very keen on encouraging wildlife and planted much of the garden to encourage butterflies. He also converted a small outbuilding to a butterfly house where he raised butterflies and released them in the garden.

His love of wildlife did not extend to the otter that he blamed for taking all his ornamental fish.

Although we didn't have time to visit the studio where Sir Winston painted is also open.