Spring family fun at Chartwell

Keep the kids busy this spring with a visit to Chartwell. There's so much more to see than the house, with 80 acres of grounds to explore and plenty of fun and games to discover.

Children playing in the gardens at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

May half-term chicken trail at Chartwell 

Get the kids outdoors this May half-term by bringing them along to Chartwell for our fun filled trail. All the chickens have escaped from the kitchen garden. Can you find them all on this outdoor family trail? Trail is on Sat 26 May-Sun 3 Jun, 10am-4pm, and costs £1, normal admission applies.

Plan your Chartwell adventure
Child playing in the Donkey Jack Caravan at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent
Chartwell   Kent

Donkey Jack's Caravan at Chartwell

This year we're bringing you a brand new family play area, based on an untold Churchill story. Donkey Jack's Caravan has landed in the Old Quarry and is waiting to be explored. Try on some fancy dress and let your imagination run wild.

Discover Donkey Jack's story
The marycot at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

The Marycot

The Marycot in the kitchen garden is a little brick house built by Winston Churchill himself for his two daughters Mary and Sarah. Everything is scaled down with a nearby notice announcing 'Children only' (though we won't blame the adults for joining in the fun). A great place to play and let your imagination run wild. Please note that the Marycot is closed Mon-Fri whilst we redecorate.

Chickens in the garden at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Chickenham Palace

Also in our kitchen garden is the famous(ish) Chickenham Palace. It's home to all kinds of bantam chickens, each with their unique colouring and feathering. Which one will be your favourite?

A child playing on the swings at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Swings

Head up to the Old Quarry to discover our brand new swings just waiting to be played on. Each one is engraved with the names and nicknames of Winston Churchill's children. How high can you swing? Don't forget to bring an adult to do the pushing.

A family playing on the balance beams at a National Trust property

Balance beams

Follow the upper path through the woods and you'll come across our balance beams. Can you walk across them all the way without falling off?

A child playing on a seesaw at a National Trust property

Seesaws

Make sure you bring a friend along with you to Chartwell so you can have a go on our new seesaws - made by our countryside team from wood from the estate. How high can you get? You can find the see saws in the old quarry.

A young girl plays in a hammock at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Canadian camp

Canadians camped out here in the woods at Chartwell during the Second World War. When there was an air raid they would cover up the lakes, so the German pilots would not recognise Chartwell from the air. Hold your own camp here, relax in the hammocks, 'cook' up a storm and plot your adventure.

The dormouse dens at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Dormouse dens

Head further in the woods and you'll come across our dormouse dens. Help us make these cosy homes by layering and weaving sticks and branches around the outside and don't forget to pad them out with leaves. Can you pretend to be a dormouse?

The bomb crater at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Bomb crater

During the second world war, bombs allegedly fell on the estate at Chartwell as the planes left London. The crater left behind by one of these bombs is just the place to have some family fun. Can you use the ropes to escape the crater? Only one way to find out.

Family facilities at Chartwell

Baby changing facilities can be found by the visitor welcome centre, the toilets behind the shop and the toilets just beyond the croquet lawn in the garden. The café has a yummy children's menu, bottle warming and high chairs. Want to find a more secluded spot to breast feed? Just ask a member of staff. There's a picnic area with tables adjacent to the overflow car park and you're welcome to bring a blanket and picnic on the slopes by the lakes. Please note scooters and trikes are not suitable at Chartwell.