Celebrating VE Day 80 at Chartwell

Published:: 13 March 2025

Archive photograph of VE Day celebrations at an east end street party in May1945. Men, women and children gathered in the street, smiling, holding hands, some wearing paper crowns, others waving flags beneath Union flags and bunting draped between the rows of houses on either side of the street. — VE Day celebrations in 1945 | © Topfoto/George Greenwell/Avalon

Join us as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Chartwell, the family home of Britain’s wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill, with dedicated programming, new tours, exhibitions and special events throughout May.

On 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill stood on a balcony overlooking Whitehall and declared “This is your victory”, but as the crowds cheered there seemed no doubt as to where their gratitude lay. Though the Second World War continued on other fronts, VE Day was a moment of collective celebration across the UK. 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since the Allied victory in Europe over Nazi Germany in 1945. Read on to find out how to take part in Chartwell’s 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day.

VE Day 80 events and programming throughout May

VE Day in the house

Self-led visits

Daily, 11.00am to 3.40pm. Timed-entry tickets. Normal admission applies.

Throughout the month, pick up timed-entry tickets from the visitor centre (or pre-book online for an afternoon slot) for self-led tickets to visit the house. See informative displays and special objects including VE Day gifts and first-hand accounts from Churchill’s secretaries and family members. Don’t miss the historic audio recordings. VE Day stories from the local community are displayed in the Exhibition room.

Pre-book an afternoon timeslot.

Guided Highlights tours of the house

Monday–Friday, excluding Bank Holidays, 28 April–27 June 4–5pm. Pre-booking and additional fee applies.

Book onto the ‘This is your victory’ VE Day guided Highlights Tour of the house to discover more about Churchill’s defining role as Britain’s wartime leader through the words and gifts that marked this momentous occasion.

Book highlights tour tickets.

VE Day in the garden

VE Day exhibition

Panel displays in the grounds will feature images and text documenting Churchill’s VE Day including his famous speeches.

VE Day 80 Children’s Trail

Thursday 1–Saturday 31 May, 10am–4pm

The children’s trail in the garden lasts all month long, not just the May half term. Bring the family to find out about wartime life at Chartwell and VE Day celebrations. Booking not needed. Normal admission applies plus £3 per trail including a prize.

VE Day 80 Childrens trail.

Explore more family-friendly things to do in the grounds at Chartwell including the WWII bomb crater and Canadian Camp.

Visiting Chartwell with family.

Archive photo of Winston Churchill and the Royal Family on the balcony VE Day 8 May 1945. L-R Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, King George VI, Winston Churchill, Princess Margaret — Winston Churchill with the Royal Family on VE Day 8 May 1945 | © Wikimedia Commons

VE Day 80 special events

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend 3–5 May

Throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, living history characters from ‘UP AN’ AT ‘EM HISTORY’ present family-friendly demonstrations and hands-on activities. Booking not needed. Free with normal admission or National Trust membership.

VE Day Thursday 8 May

Mark the anniversary on Thursday 8 May with live music in the grounds of Chartwell. The Adam Jones Quintet will be performing under the Marlborough Pavilion 2.30–3.30pm. Enjoy 1940s celebratory tunes. Booking not needed. Free with normal admission or National Trust membership.

What's on Thursday 8 May.

Saturday 10 May

Surrey Jive bring 1940s style dancing to Chartwell, performing outside, in front of the house 12–2.30pm.

The Medway Concert Brass band will be performing in the grounds under the Marlborough Pavilion 2–4pm. Enjoy sounds from the 1940s with a classic mix of joyful and celebratory tunes.

These events are free with normal admission or National Trust membership and booking is not needed.

What's on Saturday 10 May.

Sunday 11 May

Swing Thing performs 1940s style dancing outdoors, in front of the house 11am–12noon and 12.30–1.30pm.

Biggin Hill Concert Band will be performing in the grounds under the Marlborough Pavilion 2–4pm. Enjoy popular classic tunes.

These events are free with normal admission or National Trust membership and booking is not needed.

What's on Sunday 11 May.

Rear view of two girls wearing Union Jack deely-bobbers at Penrhyn Castle, Wales — Celebrate VE Day 80 with the family | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Celebrate VE Day 80 with the family

Children with union flag headbands.

VE Day 80 Children's trail

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Afterhours events

Extend the fun at an afterhours event.

Outdoor Cinema

Saturday 3 May, 7.15-11.00pm, prices vary, pre-booking required.

Saturday 3 May is outdoor cinema night presented by Cinestock. Book tickets for ‘Operation Mincemeat’, starring Colin Firth. Enjoy pre-screening musical entertainment from singer Stephanie Belle who will be performing 1940s vintage favourites. Complete the experience with refreshments from the food and drink stalls.

Gates Open: 7.15pm

Live Music: 7.50pm - 8.35pm

Film starts: 8.45

Book your seats for Operation Mincemeat at Chartwell.

Champagne Picnic

Saturday 10 May, 5.30–7.30pm. Pre-booking required. Early bird and standard ticket rates.

Secure your place at the champagne picnic for a glass of Churchill’s favourite tipple and outdoor entertainment from Medway Concert Brass. Sip a glass of Pol Roger on arrival and bring along a picnic as you enjoy exclusive afterhours access to the gardens of Chartwell.

Book tickets for the Champagne Picnic.

Refreshments and Souvenirs

Don’t forget to visit the café for your favourite National Trust treats. Why not try a slice of our special VE Day fruitcake? At the start of WWII, a special cake was baked locally with the promise that it would be sliced and served at the end of the war. Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE day with a piece of victory cake at Chartwell's Landemare café.

Stop by the gift shop for souvenirs including Churchill and Chartwell mementoes, National Trust seasonal products, books and locally made items. Jock’s second-hand bookshop also stocks a range of donated books with volunteers on hand to help.