KENT The Garden of England Day One Part One: Chartwell
When we were planning a trip to England, Denise’s first desire, was to go to Canterbury and I had always wanted to see Sissinghurst Gardens. Before Covid-19 there was a 3 day tour out of London that did just that but when I was looking last year it was no longer available. So after lots of searching we settled on Blue Roads/Back Roads Touring (Blue Roads in US) because it hit them both as well as many other places we wanted to see and their tours are limited to 18. (I have a preference for smaller groups.) After a delicious breakfast we all met outside by 9. Everyone on time and loaded up ahead of schedule.
We are on our way and headed to Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill for forty years. He bought the property in September 1922 and lived there until shortly before his death in January of 1965. Churchill’s architect, Phillip TILDEN, began work on the house in 1922. I believe that he comes from the line of ancient Kent TILDENs I previously wrote about. Chartwell has been restored and preserved to look as it did in the 1920–30s. It is owned by the National Trust. I have also been to the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace in Warwickshire. A very grand estate indeed. Americans often have a bit more interest in Churchill because many of them are related to him. His mother Jennie Jerome was the daughter of an American businessman. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries many American heiresses married British nobility. Often referred to as the “Dollar Princesses” their money helped British aristocrats the money to help them keep their estates which taxes were making it impossible for many to keep. The TV series Downton Abbey highlights one such fictional family.
Chartwell in contrast feels like a well loved home and garden. Much to my enjoyment the approach is via a lovely woodland garden complete with Rhododendrons. When I used to live in the woods I grew over 100 Rhododendron varieties.
This was the Sunday after the 80th anniversary of VE day (Victory in Europe for WWII) so there were exhibits commemorating the occasion throughout the grounds. As well as some folks in period dress. Quite Festive.
There are many things to see. And many things that are easy to miss. We were told by the attendant that the chess set in the foreground of this photo was on display for the very first time. It was made by the Municipal Fire Service of Antwerp of V-1 and V-2 materials. This is a stunning room full of light and the Calla Lily seat covers are 40’s style.
In any place one visits there are certain iconic or obligatory photos, and I do take those. For Sir Winston Churchill’s home at Chartwell, these are certainly ones.
But there are many things that just catch my eye, and yes many of them are flowers, doorways, windows etc. A smattering from Chartwell. I include 3 of Winston’s paintings.
One lovely little spot is the Marlborough Pavilion. It is decorated with scenes from the Battle of Blenheim of which Sir Winston’s ancestor the Duke of Marlborough was victorious. Sir Winston’s nephew, John Churchill did the painting as a birthday gift from Lady Churchill. Climbing roses and vines cover the pergola that leads up to the Pavilion.
I am grateful to Joan and Chuck for this photo. I was much happier than I look!
And this photo that appeals to me as a gardener and as a connoisseur of garden seating.
This teapot was a definite eye catcher. It is dated 1939. It is from the Dulyovo Porcelain Works. The company was established in 1832 in Moscow Oblast. I am happy for a better translation but I get roughly In Memory of the Allied Farm Exhibition 1939. I do not know its provenance but wonder if it was a gift from Russian Statesmen or citizens to Mrs Churchill. Claire Knight writes in Mrs Churchill Goes to Russia: The Wartime Gift Exchange between Britain and the Soviet Union : “During the years of the Anglo-Soviet Alliance (1941-45), Britain brimmed with an unprecedented enthusiasm for all things Russian.” I suspect that this was gift received by Mrs Churchill when she visited Russia. “The tour served as not only the official ‘thank you’ from the Soviet leadership, but also as the medium through which the Soviet populace were able to demonstrate their appreciation to Mrs Churchill and through her, the British people. ” Mrs Churchill and the English people had raised Ł7.5 Million for Red Cross Aid to Russia.
Sometimes it is the little things that catch our fancy. Be on the look out for yours.
Kelly Wheaton ©2025 – All Rights Reserved
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Thanks Kelly!
You captured such beautiful photos. I miss walking around those gardens. I didn’t know that about the chess board either, must have walked around separately (obviously not besties yet!). Can’t wait for the next installment xx