Chartwell and Biggin Hill

While in England this summer I visited Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine. I had wanted to go there for years but the house, situated deep in the Kent countryside, seemed too difficult to access without a car. Then I discovered that a bus from South Bromley goes there on Sundays.

The house contains many displays of Churchill memorabilia, and is furnished in a simple but elegant style reflecting Clementine’s taste. I especially liked her bedroom, painted in her favourite shade of duck-egg blue. Winston’s bedroom was not open to the public.

The extensive grounds include walled flower and vegetable gardens, ponds and woodlands. I didn’t find Churchill’s painting studio, but had seen many of his art works inside the house. Nor did I see Jock, the latest of the marmalade cats that have always been kept at Chartwell. All the same it was a very worthwhile visit.

Another place I’ve long wanted to see is the RAF museum at Biggin Hill, so it was a very nice surprise to find that the bus route went past it. I went in and was shown round the beautifully kept memorial chapel dedicated to the airmen who lost their lives in WW2. There was a separate display honouring the women who served as ferry pilots and in numerous ground roles.

From an adjacent site, it is possible (for a hefty price tag) to take a flight in a Spitfire. This is something else I’d love to do. Maybe next year …