The estate at Chartwell

Get out and into nature throughout the year here at Chartwell with so much to explore whatever the weather. The estate is a constant hive of activity with the garden and ranger teams hard at work in the busy grounds. Here's just some of the many things we get up to and all there is to see and do.

A view across the Chartwell estate to the house in Spring, under ownership of the National Trust in Kent — Enjoy spring views across the Chartwell estate

Enjoy a walk at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent — Enjoy a walk into the woods at Chartwell

Autumn woodland at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent — Enjoy the crunching of leaves underfoot

Visitors enjoying the lake views at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent — Find your moment of peace by the Chartwell lakes

A lake view to the house in autumn at Chartwell, a National Trust in place — An autumnal lake view at Churchill's family home, Chartwell

Visiting Chartwell: What to expect

We've reopened our gardens and car park at Chartwell and we're looking forward to welcoming you back.

From Thursday 5 November the house and studio will be closed. The gardens and car park remain open with takeaway refreshments available from the café. Please note that some areas of the woodland and wider estate are waterlogged, access in to or out of the woodland is currently only via the car park.

Chartwell Estate

Originally named for the Chart well on the property, the 800 acres of rolling farmland and woodland have been part of Chartwell since 1848 when the Colquhoun's owned the property. It wasn't until 1921 that the land was split into smaller lots at auction, with the house and 82 acres being bought in 1922 by Churchill.

Enjoy a walk

Limpsfield Chart walk

Enjoy the 3 hour circular walk combining Chartwell, Kent and Surrey. Take in the vistas traversing open countryside, wooded glades and passing the grave of Octavia Hill, one of the founders of the National Trust. This walk involves rough ground and steep slopes so come prepared.

Chartwell estate walk

This 45 minute walk perfect for children explores the Chartwell estate. Discover a Second World War bomb crater, dens made of coppiced chestnut trees and a camp created in honour of the Canadian troops that were stationed at Chartwell in the Second World War.

West Kent Countryside

A spring view across the Weald of Kent from Emmetts Garden, a National Trust property in Kent

Weardale walk - Chartwell to Emmetts Garden

A beautiful 3 hour walk that links Chartwell with Emmetts Garden to enjoy all the fantastic rainbow of colour as it blooms across the whole of the West Kent countryside. From tens of thousands of daffodils to the later bluebells, come and enjoy the many different views of spring throughout each month.

Visit Toys Hill

Discover the place that inspired Octavia Hill to found the National Trust, Toys Hill, with over 200 acres of woodland for you to explore. Enjoy wide-sweeping views out across miles and miles of the Weald of Kent and the wildlife it supports at this designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

A long reaching view across the summer countryside from Mariners Hill, a National Trust place in Kent

Things to see and do at Mariners Hill near Chartwell

Discover stunning views and explore the countryside which was the birth and resting place of Octavia Hill, social reformer and one of the founders of the National Trust.

A winter view across the Chartwell estate, a National Trust property in Kent — There's over 80 acres of countryside to explore at Chartwell

Walking trails at Chartwell

Escape from the hustle and bustle this winter - wrap up warm and get exploring on a walk around the estate at Chartwell. You could even make a whole day of it by walking to our neighbouring National Trust properties, Emmetts Garden and Toys Hill, or stop by the café for a warming drink to take away with you.

Visitor walking their dog in the parkland — Enjoy a stroll with your dog

Visiting Chartwell with your dog

Here at Chartwell, we love dogs. Bring your furry companion along on a short lead for a stroll around the gardens or go for a roam in the woods. Find out more about where you can and can't take your dog here.

Our work

Chartwell rangers using a chainsaw to coppice at Chartwell

Coppicing at Chartwell

Coppicing is an ancient technique to manage woodland, which provides sustainable wood and creates diverse habitats for wildlife. Here at Chartwell, we've recently reintroduced this back to our estate with both sweet chestnut and hazel coppicing taking place every winter.

Woodland management at Chartwell

Our West Kent rangers take care not only of Chartwell's wider estate but larger parts of the surrounding countryside too. Discover some of what they get up to here.

Rangers working on clearing the central pond at Grange Farm

Pond restoration at Chartwell

The ponds at Grange Farm near Chartwell were looking a bit worse for wear, so since the winter of 2019/20 our rangers have been giving them a new lease of life.