Finally, we went abroad on holiday again. The choice fell on seeing the places where Churchill lived.

Churchill was a child of the Victorian era. His ancestors were aristocratic, but he had to work to reach his destination.

Winston had to make his own way in the world, as a soldier, writer and then as a politician.

From the National Trust Churchill at Chartwell

Chartwell is a charming estate in Westerham, Kent, about one hour’s drive from London. That was a demand from Churchill that he had to be able to reach London fast. He and his family moved there in 1922 after thoroughly restoring the buildings. The year they bought it was filled with tragedies for his family. Worst of all was the sudden death of their two-year-old child Merigold.

I felt his and his family’s presence while visiting the site. I was unaware that he was such a devoted family man besides his many duties in British politics and that he was a gifted painter. In the leaflet about Chartwell and Churchill, his wife Clementine should have said that she feared Winston would die of grief after a disastrous failed campaign during the First World War. During his darkest days, painting came to his rescue. 

In 1946, a group of friends bought the Chartwell from Churchill. Otherwise, he couldn’t have afforded to stay there. It opened for the public in 1966, the year after Winston Churchill’s death and what we see in the rooms are belongings from the Churchill family, furniture, books and photographs.

Winston Churchill is remembered largely for his wartime leadership but his career in politics spanned over 60 years, from the reign of Queen Victoria to the dawn of the Cold War. He represented two parties, five constituencies and held almost all senior political offices of state.

From the National Trust Churchill at Chartwell