I can think of few more moving objects at @ChartwellNT to reflect on, on Remembrance Sunday, than Winston Churchill's Orilux trench torch. The shrapnel damage to the top left corner occurred in Feb 1916 when a German artillery shell struck his battalion's headquarters.

In m fellow officers, it was noted that a chunk of shrapnel came within inches of taking off Churchill's hand, which was holding the torch at the time. Instead it hit the torch, distorting the metal with the force of the impact.

The torch and its monogrammed case can be seen in our exhibition 'A History of Winston Churchill in 50 Objects' which is open at Chartwell today.

This afternoon at @ChartwellNT. 🍂

The mighty oak doors of @ChartwellNT's house are closed, but not for long!

On 27 Nov we will reopen these doors for 'Churchill's Colourful Christmas' - a festive array of splendour inspired by the bold and beautiful shades that feature in Winston Churchill's paintings.
✌️🖌🎨🎄
the site at Chartwell remains open, so do pop in to enjoy the gardens in their autumnal loveliness, or immerse yourself in his artistic world of his painting studio.

This wonderful painting - 'Quiet Waters' by Winston Churchill - was loaned to @ChartwellNT for our 2026 season but, *due to popular demand*, the owners have kindly allowed us to extend its display and it will remain at Chartwell for the foreseeable future.

I am overjoyed that il landscape, created around the time Winston Churchill bought Chartwell, will remain at his former home for the coming years.

We are hugely grateful to the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation for allowing us to continue to share this beautiful scene with the hundreds-of-thousands of visitors who come to Chartwell every year, and the The Beaverbrook Foundation for their continuing support of our work at the Churchills' former home. What a marvellous day! 🖼️🎩✌

Christmas Season at Chartwell
19–22 Nov Christmas Market
9 Nov–3 Jan Rob Biddulph’s 'I Follow the Fox' family activity trail
27 Nov–3 Jan ‘Churchill’s Colourful Christmas’
21, 22 Nov, 5, 19 Dec Christmas carols in the grounds

illustration ©️National Trust/Claire Fletcher

Winter magic at Chartwell! 🦊 Following our fab summer events, I’m delighted to be returning to the former home of Winston Churchill with an I Follow the Fox festive trail (19 Nov–3 Jan) and two drawing workshops (already sold out). Can’t wait to meet those that have booked...

Among the hardest parts of my job are the goodbyes. After 26 years, my dear friend Gordon has decided that *93* is the age to hang up his @ChartwellNT name badge, and today was his last day with us.

While I am truly saddened to be losing him from our ranks, I feel so lucky to my 13 years at the Churchills' home, and feel very fortunate to be surrounded by the most wonderful people - staff and volunteers- in my role as Curator of Chartwell.

Today we celebrated the Churchills' Head Gardeners with a new display about the life of Albert Hill, who held the role from 1927 to 1944. His 97-year-old daughter Gwen, who was born in 1928 in the cottage on the @ChartwellNT estate that houses the display, joined us to say a few s lives there, and her wonderful recollections were captured by the BBC, ITV and KMTV, hopefully to be aired tonight.

Getting to know Gwen and her family in recent years has been a joy and a privilege. Today has been one of the most special days of my career to date, and I feel honoured to have been able to tell her story, and that of her family, at her former home.

The new hayrick at @ChartwellNT, masterminded by @HeadGardenerCPL, reflects centuries-old agricultural practices on the estate, as can be seen beyond the swimming pool in these paintings by Winston Churchill and William Nicholson.

Two lovely events at @ChartwellNT yesterday – a huge thank you to everyone who came along to see me (including my dad, pictured!). The When I Grow Up trail looked absolutely glorious in the golden summer light, and this time I also got to tour the house itself.
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@ChartwellNT is so well managed and presented, great curatorial work and interpretation, and it still retains its intimacy and authenticity as a family home. A really superb visit. Great ice cream too.

The @TsandBs plaque commemorating Winston Churchill the bricklayer is still on display at @ChartwellNT

Before Churchill lived at @ChartwellNT, it was home to the Westerham Foundling Hospital founded by Thomas Coram.

Learn more through The Story of the Westerham Foundlings exhibition with @nationaltrust.

🔗 Exhibition: tinyurl.com/3uhkvfyb

Before becoming the home of Sir Winston Churchill, Chartwell was once a refuge for hundreds of young people.

More here: bbc.in/44QXNh3

I'm so excited to be appearing at Chartwell this summer – the former home of Sir Winston Churchill – in association with the National Trust!

Come and explore a brand-new family trail inspired by When I Grow Up I'd Like to Be..., then join me on 12 & 26 August for live Draw With Rob our eyes peeled, you might even spot my illustrated Winston Churchill along the trail!

More info and tickets here: tinyurl.com/yspn5bnh

Today marks 60 years since @ChartwellNT, the home of Winston and Clementine Churchill, first opened to the public. 🎉

"By the time I knew her, the first volume of her beauty was closed; but years afterwards she opened a second, when she suddenly decided to let hair, waist, complexion and everything go, and became in a day one of the most beautiful human beings I have seen."
Churchill's mother, , as later recalled by Eddie Marsh

"I had great anxiety and no means of relieving it; I had vehement convictions and small power to give effect to them... And then it was the Muse of Painting came to my rescue."
- Winston Churchill, 'Painting as a Pastime'

Photo: Churchill in his painting studio at @ChartwellNT

If you've not seen @WallaceMuseum's #Churchill show yet, why not join me there on 29 June for my talk on 'Churchill's Citadel'.

Discover the role his home @ChartwellNT played in his fight against the Nazis *and* see this fab new display of his paintings.
wallacecollection.org/whats-on/event…