Churchill and Chartwell: The Untold Story of Churchill's Houses and Gardens

by Stefan Buczacki

This book is a biography of Winston Churchill through the houses he lived in and the gardens he made. It culminates with the full story of his purchase, alteration and creation of Chartwell, Kent, where he lived for more than 40 years before and after the war, and which is now, in keeping with his intentions, owned and run by the National Trust. Churchill was born amidst the splendour of Blenheim Palace but, ever a restless spirit, he owned or rented many houses, both grand and relatively modest, over the course of his long life, including country retreats, modern town apartments and, as First Lord of the Admiralty, Admiralty House. But it was his house at Chartwell that would be for ever associated with his name. Based on extensive and scholarly archive study, this unique book brings to light an array of previously unpublished details and reveals a fascinating side to Britain's greatest war leader.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2007

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book if you have plans to visit Chartwell, now a National Trust property, formerly Winston Churchill’s country estate. You do really need a more complete Churchill history to get a full sense of the man and his times since a lot of that is beyond the scope of this book. The author is a respected plant and landscape expert and the book is focused on Chartwell and to a much smaller extent on Blenheim Palace and grounds as well as other houses and gardens of the times. Churchill happened to be born in Blenheim Palace when his mother was visiting. The Blenheim estate has a particularly large garden and a Capability Brown landscape. Churchill as a family member visited often in his lifetime. Other gardens and farms that influenced him belonged to aristocratic and wealthy friends. Churchill actually had very little family money and the author doesn’t really explain that his lifestyle and houses were paid for with his book writing. Pure politics is grand but never paid the bills. His wife Clementine, did not have money.

He and his wife lived in many, many houses in their lifetimes. Buczacki flies by most of these London homes, although he includes many exterior photos. In any case, most of his London homes did not have gardens. When the Churchills finally were able to get their country home the author really comes into his own. That doesn’t happen until about a third of the way into the story however. Chartwell absorbs most of the rest of the book. Many people of all sorts from eminent friends to plasterers to butterfly experts pass through the pages. Churchill family life was interesting. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book very much.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful guide to accompany a trip to Chartwell and to fill in any of the gaps you may have missed while touring the house. It is also a very good standalone book and would be a lovely gift for anyone who could not for whatever reason make a trip themselves. In many respects I think it would be most useful to read before visiting, so as to be able to 'look out' for the hidden gems reported in the book.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chartwell was Winston Churchill's home from 1924 until his death. There are local records that suggest there has been a property on the site since 1362! The name Chartwell was most likely derived from the chart (Kentish for common) well that lies on the site and still feeds the ponds to the north of the house to this day. We had the chance to visit the Chartwell home museum during our UK trip, and it was like a trip back in time - as everything in the home remains as it was when the family lived there. Churchill's own paintings adorn many of the walls, and the grounds and gardens are stunning!

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book about Churchill's private house. A great read.

[Roger Woods]

A very interesting account of Churchill's houses and gardens over the years particularly Chartwell now in the care of the National Trust.