The home of Sir Winston Churchill

 April 23rd

 How could I have forgotten the church bells! Last time we were on this site, way back in 2022, not only did the bells disturb the peace, but planes buzzed overhead on the approach to Heathrow (or was it Gatwick?) As soon as the chiming of the hour started, we both realised this would be our wake-up call in the morning. And so it was, 6 am, and the first of the six chimes woke us. It did mean that whoever got up first put the heating back on, and of course, seeing as Ian is the controller of all things electric in MB, it was his duty to get up and make sure I was warm enough and to make the tea! It didn't mean we got away early, in fact it was a lazy start to the day seeing as we couldn't get into Chartwell House until after 10 am and as it was but 8 miles away, no need to rush.

So Chartwell House was the home of Sir Winston Churchill. I can't say I ever met him, even though at the time of my childhood, he was the MP for Wanstead and Woodford and Woodford Green was my home from 1961. I stayed in Woodford, living with my parents, until I got a house that went with the veterinary practice where I worked from 1971. I left in 1973 to marry Ian and head up to Leicester. On my way to school the statue was on route to the bus stop, so in a way, this visit made me reminisce about the good old days.

This taken from WiKi

Statue on then green by the high road in Woodford Green.

This taken from the Ilford Recorder with another photo (CLICK HERE) of after he died, the statue was adorned with wreaths from his constituents.

The day was a far cry from that of yesterday. Overcast with drizzle in the air and still very cold. Our time slot to see the house was at 11.10am, we arrived at the car park at 10 45. Hmm should have left earlier after all!  It was a bit of a dash from there, downhill first but then a climb that got the heart pumping and my breathing heavy, and there were steps! Groan...I am soooo out of condition! Anyway we made it with minutes to spare, another self-guided tour, suits us because we could take our time taking it all in. 

The first thing that greeted us was the beautiful cream carpet! Throughout the house, how unpractical was that, what with so many dirty shoes treading all over it! Anyway, all the rooms were beautifully presented and the guides in each room willing to chat without going OTT.

Gifts given to Churchill from far and wide.

Because time was tight (we had to get to Portsmouth Marina car park before all the motorhome slots were taken) it was a very quick look around the garden. Nowhere near as impressive as Hever Castle grounds, it was still nice though, and I know we missed quite a bit. We have vowed to return when we do Hever Castle again. Its that close by, it would be silly not to.

By 13.30 the route had been put into the sat nav and we were away. After a few delays on route, and a stop to get a refill gas cylinder, the Marina Keep car park was reached. Plenty of spaces, so we could have stayed longer at Chartwell after all. A short walk away was the marina, gosh there is some wealthy folk around. Lovely boats but I wouldn't change FS for one of those even if I was offered a million pounds!. 

Tomorrow we get the ferry to the Isle of Wight. Years and years have gone by since we were there last, so looking forward to seeing it all again after all this time.

A castle to remember

 It may have been quiet last night, but by 6 am the Monday rush hour had started! The dog walkers also arrived in droves, so maybe not the idyllic place we thought it to be yesterday. Once awake, we made for an early start, although I could have stayed snuggled under the covers for a while longer. It was cold last night. Only got away with not having a frost because the Beeb weather for this area mentioned 2 degrees. And a cold wash was on the cards too. No firing up of the water heater, Ian didn't think it worth it! Anyway, today we would head back to Hever Castle.

I must highly recommend this place, although it's not a cheap outing for non-Historic Houses members, I would have gladly paid the senior price of £20.30 because it was the most amazing place we have been to so far. 

Hever Castle is best known as the place Anne Boleyn resided before her marriage to Henry V111. Click HERE for the full history

The gardens were beautiful, laid out with immaculate stripped lawns and statues adorned each one. I took this excerpt from Hever Castle gardens

Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds at Hever Castle. Marvel at the Pompeiian Wall and classical statuary in the Italian Garden; admire the giant topiary chess set and inhale the fragrance of over 5,000 rose bushes in the quintessential English Rose Garden.

The Loggia, overlooking the 38-acre lake, is the perfect spot to relax before exploring the many cascades, grottoes and fountains. A stroll through the Tudor Garden, Blue Corner or Rhododendron Walk, provide colour and interest throughout the year.

Wander further afield and enjoy Sunday Walk and Church Gill Walk that follow the course of a stream through peaceful woodland or Anne Boleyn’s Walk, with its impressive collection of trees planted more than 100 years ago.

 The Castle opened its doors at 11.30 am, but to avoid the rush we had an early lunch. Mind you, the rush consisted of a coachload of pensioners and one group of year 2 primary school children, it was the latter that we wanted to avoid.

As an added bonus, (which we found out about on entering the impressive portcullis) was an opportunity to see Ann Boleyn's rooms for an extra £3 each. No contest really, we booked in and as we were ushered into the first room, the guide dropped the bombshell that no photography was allowed. There is to be a grand opening in June, the BBC are filming, and no spoiler alerts were allowed. Very understandable, I suppose.

With an excellent tour from the guide, it was back on track to see the rest of the castle. This time we could take photos....yippee.

It was a long day, I was very glad to get back to MB just to rest my legs. The grounds are extensive and so much we have missed we have vowed to return next year. If we time it to coincide with summer, most of the flowers will be in bloom. Then the gardens will really come into their own.

We stopped at a place called Stairs farm, Hartfield. We recognised it immediately as we drove in, having stayed here before back in 2022. It has electric hookup, goody we can keep the heating on tonight and with water on tap, I can have that long awaited shower.  

And wildlife today

Not seen a black bee before

On the history trail

So, yesterday, after a very peaceful night, we made for Polesden Lacey  another NT house. You may have gathered by now that we are on a historic castle, manor and houses trail. Having joined National Trust, Historic Houses and English Heritage, we were determined to get value for money. So for those not interested in any of the above, sorry about that, I know there are lots of interesting blogs out there instead.  But for those of you that would like to stay and enjoy my ramblings, there will be plenty more of this to come. You have been warned!
Polesden Lacey was a grand house, everything we expected from walking around the downstairs rooms. The grand staircase had a rope across, mores the pity.  What we did see had all the opulence we expected. 
We were a bit early to see the splender and colour of the magnificence gardens, most plants hadn't bloomed yet but everything was immaculate and had we arrived a couple of weeks later, would have enjoyed it even more.

 A noise above had Ian craning his neck to see what was coming, I took a photo for his benefit (not mine of course, he is the plane fanatic) "It's a Dakota" he said! Well I have to take his word because to me a plane is just a plane!

Time was getting on, and we hadn't sorted a park for the night. Ranmore Common nr Dorking looked promising. Run by NT, we could stay at the car park for free. The road was alongside but luckily quite quiet. Quiet also was the phones and internet. Not a signal to be had, and we only just managed a few channels on the TV.  It was lovely though and had our legs allowed us, we would have walked along the Denbies Hillside. Too blooming knackered to even attempt it, oh to be young and fit again. 

  And wildlife seen today.

Okay if you like paintings

 Apart from the occasional mooing of the cows from a nearby farm, our night sleep was undisturbed. Woke to a very chilly MB, thank goodness our heater works now and with it the hot water too! So before leaving the site, showers were had, and the water tank topped up afterwards.

Today we made for Petworth House. Not sure what to expect, but it was a NT place and looked amazing on the website. The grounds were beautiful, Rhododendrons, Bluebells and Magnolia trees were in full bloom, shame the house was a good 10-minute walk away, and uphill to boot. Our poor knees! 

Ian has a plant identifier app on his phone. Works really well for a freebie.

 

Taking a lot longer than the 10 minutes quoted, finally the house came into view. Really nothing to write home about, not like some places we have visited.

In fact, apart from the below stairs kitchens, we were a tad disappointed. The house is a 17th-century mansion, but instead of elegant furniture adorning every room, it was filled with paintings and sculptures. Admittedly famous artists like Gainsborough, Turner, Van Dyck, and Reynolds all had paintings displayed but unless you are into your art, this would not be the place for you to visit. 

The kitchens below stairs

This was impressive

The electric meter and old telephone

Back at MB, time was only a tad after one, and about an hour's drive away was Hever Castle. It was the home of Anne Boleyn, and another Historic Houses property. We were to be disappointed once again though, because it's only free to members Monday to Friday and with tomorrow being Sunday, we would have had to pay to get in. As Ian quite rightly said, we have paid a considerable sum to become a member, so why exclude us at weekends. As you may have gathered, this will be given a miss, for now anyway.

Being a bit peed off, we looked for somewhere to stop for the night. Found this wonderful wooded area near to Petworth Village. So secluded, only the occasional dog walker turns up. Am I tempting fate by saying we don't expect any trouble? Fingers crossed we won't!

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And wildlife today

Partridge

Jackdaws