Discover more at Chartwell
Find out when Chartwell is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Group visits to Chartwell
Bring your group to Chartwell for a memorable day out and see how Sir Winston Churchill and his family lived in this beautiful part of Kent. Here you’ll find all the information you need to help you plan your group visit.
What’s available for your group?
- A dedicated group organiser to help plan your visit
- Discounted rates for groups of 15+
- Welcome and familiarisation talk on arrival
- Timed entry tickets to the house
- Special interest tours of the house (additional charge)
- Translated copies of house guides available in Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish and large print
- Shop with gifts and souvenirs inspired by Sir Winston Churchill
- Licensed café serving tasty treats
- Complimentary Café Voucher for Driver and Group leader (Max two vouchers per group – Drinks and Food which the voucher can be exchanged for are listed on the voucher. These are issued on the day of your visit.
Booking your group visit
Download the Chartwell Group Bookings Brochure.
If you are planning a trip to Chartwell with a party of 15 or more, you will need to arrange your visit in advance with our group booking team. This is also the case if visitors are arriving by coach or in a minibus. Please get in touch with us by emailing chartwell.groupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk or calling us on 01732 861142. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance as slots fill up quickly. Discounted group rates are available to parties of 15 or more when you pre-book.
Bank holiday weekends and school holidays
We have limited spaces on these days so please check availability with us.
What we need to know
When making a booking we will ask you for:
- The name of your group
- The group leader’s name
- How many people will be in the group
- The date you wish to visit
- Your arrival time
Confirming your booking
Once we have provisionally booked your visit, including an arrival time and house entry time, we will send a provisional booking email. To confirm your booking please complete the details and return your reply via email.
Payment
We ask that payment is made on arrival on the day of your planned visit in one transaction. Payment can be made in cash, by credit card or cheque. Alternatively, if you have a National Trust account, we will invoice you after your visit.
Who is eligible for free entry?
Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.
Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.
Free familiarisation visits for group leaders
If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 249 1895 or email us at traveltrade@nationaltrust.org.uk
Additional information for groups
The site
The house is located on a hillside and the garden is only partly accessible with steep slopes and steps in places. Please refer to the Accessibility section of the Visitor information panel on the Chartwell homepage for further details. An Accessibility Guide is also available from AccessAble.co.uk.
The house
Visitors need a timed entry ticket for the house. Once inside, there is a self-guided system in place to allow you to explore the house at your own pace. There are printed information sheets in each room explaining items of significance as well as stewards who will answer any questions.
Tours and talks
Please note, group leaders visiting Chartwell are not permitted to give tours or talks to their group in any areas of our site.
Talks available for groups
If you are interested in learning more about Winston Churchill and Chartwell, we can offer talks in the Mulberry Room above our café. These are available as an ‘add-on’ to groups already spending the day on site who would like to discover more before visiting the house and gardens, or as single lectures for community groups and educational groups. Catering packages are also available on enquiry.
The topics available to choose from are:
- The Churchill Family at Chartwell
Learn about Chartwell from Sir Winston’s purchase of the house in 1922 to the present day.
- Churchill the Artist
An exploration of Sir Winston’s passion for painting and an introduction to some of his works.
Additional information:
- Charges are:
- £285 for a group of up to 50 visitors; this includes one tea or filter coffee per visitor.
- Talks will be undertaken by one of our experienced volunteers and last for one hour, including time for questions.
- We require a minimum of one month’s notice prior to the date of the talk.
Garden tours
If you would like a group tour of the gardens at either Chartwell or Emmetts Garden, one of our volunteers can guide your party. Group tours cost £9.00 per person for a one‑hour walk. Tours are subject to availability and must be booked in advance (min. 15 people).
Head Gardener Tour
Join our Head Gardner for an exclusive tour to learn more about the history of the garden at Chartwell and hear about the skill of the team who curate and care for this inspirational space. £275 for groups up to 10 people. This tour will last for approximately one hour.
Classic Private tour
Step into history with a private morning tour of Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill before it opens to the public.
- £350 (up to 7 guests) A personal journey through the house with one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides. Tailored for small groups seeking something truly special. This tour will last for approximately one hour, starting at 09:45.
Please contact us if you have either a larger group or would like to organise a bespoke tour as we may be able to accommodate this.
You might also be interested in
Explore the house at Chartwell
Discover the beloved home of one of Britain's greatest politicians, Sir Winston Churchill. The house has many treasures and provides an intimate portrait of the Churchill family.
The garden at Chartwell
Enjoy the views that the Churchills chose Chartwell for, and explore the garden they created and loved, from Lady Churchill’s Rose Garden, to the Walled Garden Sir Winston helped build.
A history of Winston Churchill in 50 objects
Discover more about the extraordinary life of Sir Winston Churchill in this permanent exhibition at Chartwell, including five must-see items from the curator.
Eating and shopping at Chartwell
From tasty treats and hot and cold dishes, to souvenirs, gifts and Churchill memorabilia, you'll be spoiled for choice in the Chartwell café and shop. Why not treat yourself?
Education Group Access Pass
If you’re planning educational group visits to National Trust places, then you could benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives you free admission for a year.
Explorer Pass
If you're planning a trip in England, Wales or Northern Ireland this year, buy a National Trust Explorer Pass for entry to most of the places in our care. With 4-, 8- and 14-day options available, the pass can be tailored to fit your trip. Discover where you can visit with the Explorer Pass and how to buy yours.
Group visits frequently asked questions
Visiting a National Trust place with a group? Then our answers to your frequently asked questions might help with any question you may have.
