The Gardens at Chartwell

Born from the keen amateur but creative minds of both Winston and Clementine Churchill, the gardens of Chartwell are as varied as they are beautiful the whole year round. History and nature merge seamlessly across the estate from the distinctive pastel colours of pink and white roses favoured by Lady Churchill, fruit and vegetables framed by the walls Sir Winston Churchill helped build, to acres of woodland and wider meadows.

Spring blossom against blue skies and Chartwell — Spring is blossoming at Chartwell

Daffodils in the sun lining the car park at Chartwell — Daffodils are everywhere you look in the car park at Chartwell in spring

Peace rose in the Rose Garden at Chartwell

Visiting Chartwell: What to expect

We're looking forward to welcoming you to Chartwell.

The house is open between 11am and 5pm (last entry at 3.50pm). You still need a house ticket to enter the house. These are limited and entry cannot be guaranteed. Most house tickets are sold on the day on a first come, first served basis, with some now available to book online in advance - find out more here.

Explore the gardens

Gavin Jones waterfall at Chartwell in the spring

The Gavin Jones Waterfall and Garden at Chartwell

One of the first areas you will come to is in fact made up of several different elements from Golden Orfe ponds to the old swimming pool, all connected to each other by the water.

Lady Churchill's Rose Garden

The present walled rose garden on the north side of the house was designed by Clementine's close friend and cousin Venetia Montagu. Together they created a traditional, formal English rose garden divided by paths into four beds and softened by a mass of perennials and shrubs in gentle colours. The roses may not be out yet, but the garden remains a place of quiet contemplation.

Terrace Lawn at Chartwell

Enjoy far-reaching views over the Chartwell estate from the Terrace Lawn, providing a fantastic viewpoint of the house as well as down to the lakes and woodland beyond. Take a break in one of our chairs to enjoy the views, as the gardens reawaken all around you this spring.

Walled Garden

Head to the Walled Garden to see the walls that Churchill built with his own hands, filled with cut flower beds, the romantic Golden Rose Avenue, fruit and vegetables growing year round, and much more. The produce grown here still heads over to the café to be used in delicious dishes.

Golden Rose Avenue

Running down the centre of the Walled Garden is one of the most romantic features of Chartwell - the golden rose avenue. It was first planted in 1958 as a gift to Winston and Clementine for their golden wedding anniversary from their children. Even when they're not in bloom, you can still find depictions of each variety in the beautiful album of golden rose paintings found in the dining room.

The Chartwell estate

Take a look at some of the behind-the-scenes work our outdoors team gets up to all across not just Chartwell but the surrounding West Kent countryside that we care for as well.

Apples in the orchard — Apples from our orchard end up at the café or in our Chartwell apple juice

Orchard at Chartwell

The orchard was one of the first projects Churchill undertook after they moved to Chartwell, clearing the area to plant new apple trees such as Newton Wonder, Kerry Pippin and Barrack Beauty. We’re currently in the middle of a long-term project to restore a meadow in the orchard here at Chartwell, encouraging wildflowers and nature back to our gardens.

" A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted."

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

Signs of spring cropping up at Chartwell

Want to know what's out right now in the Chartwell gardens? Discover our top seasonal highlights for what is in bloom for you to see, we'll keep updating this list as the year goes on as they emerge, so check back soon.

Chartwell guidebook

On your visit, why not collect the Chartwell guidebook from our Visitor Centre or shop? Read about the fascinating history of house and gardens as you make your way around on your visit, or take it home as a wonderful memento of your trip to Chartwell.

Walkies

The lakes at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Walking trails at Chartwell

As the days begin to warm again, there's no better time for shaking off winter and getting back out into nature on a walk around Chartwell in spring. Why not download one of our trails on your phone to follow as you go?

Dog walking at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Visiting Chartwell with your dog

At Chartwell, bring your furry companion along on a short lead for a stroll around the gardens or go for a roam in the woods.

" The outdoors is a canvas where Clementine and Winston Churchill’s relationship plays out."

Behind the scenes...

Alliums in the Orchard Meadow at Chartwell

Meadow restoration at Chartwell

We're currently in the middle of a long-term project to restore a meadow down in the apple orchard and in front of the studio at Chartwell, encouraging wildflowers and nature back to our gardens.

Mansion border in front of the house at Chartwell with the new plants in place

Mansion border restoration at Chartwell

The garden team at Chartwell recently began work to restore the wide views over Kent that inspired Churchill to buy Chartwell back to the front of the house. With the new plants now in place, the hard work is already paying off.

The fully restored greenhouses at Chartwell from the outside with water-butt ready.

Chartwell’s ‘green’ Greenhouses

Thanks to your support (and by drinking lots of coffee!) we’ve been able to restore the greenhouses at Chartwell and get them working more efficiently – with better sustainability – than ever.

Blossom on the step-over apple vines growing in the Walled Garden at Chartwell — Blossom on the step-over apples in the Walled Garden

Edible elements in the Walled Garden at Chartwell

One of the busiest parts of the Walled Garden at Chartwell are the fruit and vegetable beds, with the produce grown once supplying the house and now used up in our own café. Discover each season of these still highly productive beds and how we look after them.