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.

Daffodils growing in the gardens at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent
Spring blossom against blue skies and Chartwell

Closure at Chartwell 

The safety and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors is our priority so Chartwell is now closed until further notice. This includes gardens, toilets and the carpark.

Explore the gardens

The Gavin Jones water feature at Chartwell

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.

Blue skies over Lady Clementine's Rose Garden at Chartwell

Lady Churchill's Rose Garden at Chartwell 

Discover the quintessentially English feature of the Chartwell gardens, Lady Churchill's Rose Garden, an area of peace and quiet no matter the season.

The Terrace Lawn at Chartwell with the side of the house rising over the terrace under blue skies

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 view as the gardens reawaken this spring all around you.

A colourful range of spring tulips in the Walled Garden at Chartwell

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.

Purple catmint and golden roses border the walk down the Golden Rose Avenue under blue skies

The Golden Rose Avenue at Chartwell 

Running through the centre of the walled garden is one of the most romantic features of Chartwell - the Golden Rose Avenue.

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

The Chartwell estate 

Chartwell is now closed until further notice. This includes gardens, toilets and the carpark.
Take a look at some of the behind-the-scenes work our outdoors team gets up to.

" A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted."
- Sir Winston Churchill
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Daffodils 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.

Walkies

View across the lakes to the house at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Walking trails at Chartwell 

All our houses, gardens, parks, toilets, cafes and shops are closed from Sunday 22 March to further restrict the spread of coronavirus. Chartwell is closed, please do not travel here.

Visitor walking their dog in the parkland

Bring your dog to Chartwell 

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.

" The outdoors is a canvas where Clementine and Winston Churchill’s relationship plays out."
- Tim Parker; Gardens & Estate Manager
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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

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.

Teeming with wildlife

Orange tip butterfly

Butterfly effect at Chartwell 

The connection between Chartwell and butterflies is a long one, starting with Sir Winston Churchill’s love of the small creatures and one we still continue here today.

badger, sunlight

Wildlife at Chartwell 

Chartwell is a great place to find a wide range of wildlife with different habitats for different animals, insects and birds. Check out our list to discover some of these species living here today.

Black swans on the lake at Chartwell, a National Trust property in Kent

Chartwell's black swans 

Stroll around the gardens at Chartwell and you may spot an unusual sight on our lakes. Black swans, originally native to Australia, have called this hillside haven home since 1927, once looked after by Churchill and now by the National Trust.