Little People, BIG DREAMS trail at Chartwell

Be bold, be brave and dream big with the Little People, BIG DREAMS® family trail at Chartwell. As you explore the gardens and house, take part in activities and delve into the lives of twenty-five extraordinary people including six leading characters who were chosen by the children and teachers of nearby Crockham Hill Primary School. The trail runs during the school holidays, from Saturday 19 July to Sunday 7 September 2025, 10am–4pm.

This summer, a new family trail at the National Trust’s Chartwell in Kent celebrates some of the world’s most outstanding people, using artworks from the bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS® picture-book biography series. The fascinating trail invites you into the stories of little artists, activists, writers, musicians, scientists and adventurers from all over the world.

What is Little People, BIG DREAMS®?

Little People, BIG DREAMS® is a bestselling biography series created by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, with more than 7.5 million copies sold worldwide. Perfectly plotted for children aged 4-7+, the series introduces trailblazers and dreamers who have made a big impact in the world around them.

The striking illustrations on display around Chartwell paint a picture of the lives of some extraordinary people who have played an important part in history and the world we live in today. Follow the trail and take part in activities to see how their dreams as little children grew to become their reality. Purchase a lanyard and activity pack from the Visitor Centre to fill your visit with fun.

Children reading the Little People BIG DREAMS books at Chartwell beside an apple blossom tree. — Be bold, be brave and dream big with Little People BIG DREAMS. | © National Trust/Elsbeth Clarke

Featured characters

In their time, Sir Winston and Clementine Churchill welcomed many extraordinary individuals to Chartwell, from politicians and adventurers to artists, film stars and even royalty. This summer, we’re thrilled to welcome our visitors to discover the stories of inspirational people from around the world and across the generations. Some of the figures in Chartwell’s Little People, BIG DREAMS trail include scientists and leaders such as Albert Einstein and Queen Elizabeth II who had visited the Churchills at Chartwell.

We also enlisted the help of Crockham Hill Primary School to choose who our lead characters should be. Each class read a shortlist of four books in one of six categories and voted for their favourites. They selected activist, Martin Luther King Jr; musician, Taylor Swift; writer, Anne Frank; artist, Andy Warhol; adventurer, David Attenborough and scientist, Albert Einstein. Which character will become your family’s favourite?

Refreshments and souvenirs

Don’t forget to visit the Landemare café for your favourite National Trust treats as well as children’s lunchboxes. Head to the Garden Cottage café for ice cream and other snacks as you take in the impressive view of the Walled Garden and the Weald of Kent beyond.

Bring your favourite characters home with you by purchasing books from the Little People, BIG DREAMS series at Chartwell’s National Trust Shop. You’ll find it beside the main café and across from the Visitor Centre.

Planning your visit

The trail runs from Saturday 19 July to Sunday 7 September 2025, 10am–4pm. Normal property admission price applies, £3 per trail with lanyard activity pack.

Find more family-friendly visiting tips and things to do at Chartwell including outdoor theatre performances on selected dates in August as well as places in the grounds for further imaginative adventures in our article about visiting Chartwell with family.

A long view of the red brick house at Chartwell in Kent with a sweeping lawn running up to the terrace of the house and trees surrounding the grounds

Discover more at Chartwell

Find out when Chartwell is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

Children playing in the garden and jumping off a tree stump at Chartwell, Kent

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Family-friendly things to do at Chartwell

Keep the whole family busy with a visit to Chartwell. There's so much to see with 80 acres of grounds to explore and plenty of fun and games to discover including a two-storey treehouse in the woodlands. Come along this summer for the Little People, BIG DREAMS family activity trail.