Discover more at Chartwell
Find out when Chartwell is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Guided house highlights tours at Chartwell
As the home of such an iconic figure as Sir Winston Churchill, one of the best ways to see Chartwell is on a guided tour. A selection of different 45-minute highlights tours have been created, each will focus on specific themes such as Churchill's leadership and legacy or Churchill as an artist, plus a special tour to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Read on the find out which topics are available throughout the year and how to book your place.
Guided house highlights tours
Join one of our knowledgeable guides on a tour of selected rooms in the house at Chartwell. The themed highlights tours run at 4pm Mon-Fri, excluding Bank Holidays. Spaces are limited; online pre-booking is advised.
Our schedule for 2025 includes a special tour which is part of ‘VE-Day 80 at Chartwell’ a series of events and programming to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe, during World War II).
Highlights Tour
The Highlights Tour doesn't include access to all rooms. Those wanting to see the whole house will need to obtain a timed ticket to visit the house on a self-guided basis.
Ticketing information
Limited numbers of tickets are available for each tour, so pre-booking online is advised. Each person will need a ticket. This includes National Trust members and children. If you are not currently a National Trust member, you will also need to pay for normal admission on arrival. You can check availability and purchase your highlights tour ticket via the links in the tour descriptions below.
Please note: If you want to see the full house, please obtain a timed ticket for a self-guided visit on arrival at the Visitor Centre.
If you would like to view the gardens and studio on your visit as well, please make sure you arrive with plenty of time to spare so you can visit these before the tour starts. All areas of the property will close at 5pm when the tour finishes.
Accessibility
The tour includes several steps both between rooms and up staircases. Visitors should be prepared to be standing for the duration.
Tours last for approximately 45 minutes, allowing for time to catch the last minibus from the front of the house for visitors who require this service.
Choose which tour to book
Chartwell Highlights Tour: Leadership and Legacy
When: 3 March–25 April 2025
Showcasing some of his most treasured awards, honours and gifts, this tour focuses on Sir Winston Churchill's leadership in times of both peace and war and the lasting impact of his legacy. Selected rooms seen on this tour include the Library, Museum Room and Study but will not include Churchill’s bedroom.
Book the Leadership and Legacy highlights tour.
Chartwell Highlights Tour: 'This is your victory' VE Day
When: 28 April–27 June 2025
On May 8, 1945, Winston Churchill stood overlooking Whitehall and declared ‘This is your victory’, but as the gathered crowds cheered and waved there seemed no doubt as to where their gratitude lay. As we mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, discover Churchill’s defining role as Britain’s wartime leader through the words and gifts that marked this momentous occasion.
Book the ‘This is your victory’ VE Day highlights tour.
Chartwell Highlights Tour: Life at Chartwell
When: 30 June–29 August 2025
Find out more about Sir Winston Churchill, his family and the friends and guests who shaped their lives here. Selected rooms seen on this tour include the Dining Room, Lady Churchill's bedroom as well as Sir Winston Churchill’s study and bedroom.
Book the Life at Chartwell highlights tour.
Chartwell Highlights Tour: Churchill the Artist
When: 1 September–24 October 2025
Explore Sir Winston Churchill’s relationship with art and his life through his paintings. See some of his artwork on this tour of Chartwell. Selected rooms include the Drawing Room and Dining Room, Sir Winston Churchill’s study and bedroom as well as other areas in the house where notable artwork is displayed.
Book the Churchill the Artist highlights tour.
Winston Churchill's Bedroom
For more than fifty years since he had last lived at Chartwell, Churchill’s bedroom was closed to the public. Thanks to the funds raised by Churchill’s Chartwell appeal, visitors can see into Chartwell’s most intimate space on selected highlights tours.
Due to the small size of the room, the narrow corridor leading to it and the room's entry position, the room is not available on self-led visits to the house, and only on selected highlights tours. For conservation reasons, Sir Winston Churchill's bedroom will not be available on the 2025 Leadership and Legacy Highlights tour.
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