Volunteering at Chartwell

Volunteers working in the autumn woodland at Wentworth Castle, South Yorkshire — Volunteers working in the woodland at Chartwell, Kent | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Do something amazing with your spare time by volunteering at Winston Churchill's former home, Chartwell, in Kent. There's more to Chartwell than just the house; why not help out the garden team with some planting, or welcome visitors to the property in our visitor welcome centre?

Find your role at Chartwell

No matter your experience, your background or your interests, there's a volunteering role at Chartwell for you. Indoor or outdoor, getting muddy in the garden or showing our visitors around the rooms where Churchill lived, there's something for everyone.

As a charity, Chartwell relies heavily on the work of its volunteers to keep its doors open for everyone, for ever.

Why join us?

There are lots of reasons to join us; making the move to volunteer could be the best decision you ever make.

Become part of a friendly and dedicated team
Meet people from all walks of life and forge new friendships
Utilise your existing skills and learn new ones
Strengthen your CV and help to develop your career
Enjoy the great outdoors
Learn about the history of this special place.

Volunteer Room Guide talking to visitors at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh. — A volunteer room guide welcoming visitors to Chartwell, Kent | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Become a Chartwell Volunteer

If you're looking for a new challenge, then we're looking for you. Our volunteers are an integral part to what we do here at Chartwell and we have so many opportunities on offer for you. Don't take it from us though, some of our volunteers have shared their stories below.

Caroline: Room Guide

I was inspired by Chartwell when I was taken there on a first date with the man that was to become my husband. Over the ensuing years, and after further regular visits, it has become a place of enormous sentimental and emotional memories. To be in the environs of Chartwell is a very fulfilling experience and here I'm grateful to the other volunteers; ever friendly and always willing to fill in the gaps as well as providing further valuable nuggets of information. It is striking just how many visitors I meet, who are as I was, regular returners to Chartwell.

One aspect I particularly enjoy is the number of foreign visitors from all parts of the globe Chartwell receives and the pleasure it gives me to pass on information and stories which I hope adds to their enjoyment of the day.

Garden volunteer pruning roses at Morden Hall Park, London — Volunteer gardener pruning roses at Chartwell, Kent | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Alastair: Garden Volunteer

I volunteer as a gardener every Wednesday, come rain or shine. I started because, after a lifetime of admin, I wanted to do something quite different. I enjoy the feeling of doing something worthwhile, having a small role in helping visitors enjoy their time here by keeping the garden ship shape.

I love the sense of recent history that you are always aware of at Chartwell. You really do feel that you are walking in the footsteps of Winston and his family. The social aspect is very important too, meeting the same volunteers each week, many of them have become good friends and we always have a good laugh, even if the weather is awful.

Robin: Room Guide

I started volunteering at Chartwell in 2016 almost by accident after the museum I was volunteering at had to close for major repairs. I never dreamt that there would be any opportunities at Chartwell, but there were, I applied and I was accepted.

I found the other volunteers and the local staff were all very supportive and I quickly learnt enough to be confident at explaining Chartwell and its history to the visitors, including a lot from overseas. I have learnt an awful lot myself and I would encourage anyone to have a go at volunteering. I am really lucky to work in such a lovely house with the beautiful unchanged views over the Weald of Kent that Churchill loved so much.

Get in touch

We have a wide variety of volunteer positions for you to get stuck into. Search for volunteer opportunities at Chartwell on the Trust’s volunteering page or get in touch with the team at chartwell@nationaltrust.org.uk.