Chartwell

Discussion in 'WW2 Museums. Events, & places to see.' started by mrtufnel, May 24, 2007.

  1. mrtufnel

    mrtufnel Junior Member

    Hi,

    I'm doing some work for the National Trust, specifically Chartwell.
    What we want to do is imrpove the experience there. Both for enjoyment and education.

    We want to achieve the best blend of Chartwell, Churchill and why the two are so important to each other.

    I just want to know a few things if possible:

    1) What kind of information or experience would you want to take away from a visit?

    2) In what way would you prefer for this to be delivered? (Audio snippets, Visual Aids, a guide, a book etc)

    3) Who are you? By that I mean, are you a student, teacher, soldier, housewife etc

    4) Is there any other comments you'd like to add?

    Thanks for any help you can give me.

    Ross
     
  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Went to Blenheim Palace a couple of weeks ago. The 'Untold Story' (Video/Computer history of the palace and Churchill's involvement in Blenheim) section worked well, however, each chapter of the history was so near to the previous and next, and the narative so loud one's concentration was interrupted by what had gone and what was to come.
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The missus and I love Chartwell, one of the nicest houses we ever visited with a real feel that the man was just out for the day. To be honest we don't think it would benefit from a more jazzed up presentation, the Churchill museum at the cabinet war rooms does that enough, and rather well.

    Seems a petty thing but our only real problem with Chartwell was the astonishing price of the catering which seemed well beyond most NT properties. We'd foolishly come without a picnic and tea/drinks, and sausage rolls/sandwiches for 4 adults and 2 small children came to more than what could normally be expected for a decent restaurant meal.

    Cheers,
    Adam.
     
  4. Kitty

    Kitty Very Senior Member

    Hmm, I'd say have some kind of audio running in the background, as if the house is in use and you can just hear Churchill and people around him discussing day to day life, or some kind of momentous decisions. Make it feel as if the visitor has stepped into the middle of the living house. Nothing obtrusive, like Owen said where you can hear the next one. That's just annoying.
    What about in one or two rooms (not every room, it gets jaded then and causes a serious backlog of visitors) but some kind of projector playing onto a bare wall. There must be one or two around the house. However that does assume there are places to hide the projector that will not cause any damage through fixings.
    The info boards in rooms, strip down the amount of writing, some nice bright images, and give out little anecdotes as well as room history. People spend approximately 30 seconds looking at these boards. if its easy to skim through they'll take more notice.
    Living days with re-enactors around the property, obviously WW2 re-enactors but also cookery, gardening that kind of thing. Churchill promoted dig for victory and make do and mend didn't he?
    But I definitely think background conversations or music in the music rooms. Visited many a Trust property and just thought when entering a room it would be nice to hear the ghosts of its past, be it music or conversations.
    As to me, A Mature University student studying Countryside Management & Leisure, done my time as a Trust Room Steward at 'Pemberley' and now work in a country park Visitor Centre associated to the neighbouring Trust gardens in Staffordshire.
     
  5. mrtufnel

    mrtufnel Junior Member

    Cheers for the imput guys.
    It'll all be put to good use :)
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I know this is an old thread but went there today for the first time.
    Superb day out even in the rain.
    Rounded off with a cream tea (£4.95 for 2 scones & pot of tea) before facing the M25 to get back home.

    Lovely house, lovely setting, really got excited when saw painting by Alex (I've got his autograph) & a present to WSC from Stalin.

    Recommended day out for anyone with an interest in Winston Churchill.
    Last year I took family to see where he was born & proposed to Clementine at Blenheim as well as visiting his grave .
    Now we've seen where he lived.
     
  7. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Siren suits are a touch more 'velvety' than one might have thought aren't they.

    The gifts from grateful nations are impressive too. One of the most atmospheric NT houses I've visited. From the Wall to the umbrellas still in the stand, it really does feel like the man himself or Clemmie might walk in at any moment.
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    No photos allowed inside.
    Here's some of the outside in this album.
    Click below to view.


    [sharedmedia=gallery:albums:438]


    Chartwell | WW2Talk


    .
     
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  9. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Owen

    That slideshow is very neat !

    How did you do it ?

    Ron
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  11. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Owen

    Thanks for that.

    Have used the single image linkage to the Galleries before but didn't notice the opportunity to link to a whole gallery.

    Must remember this option next time. :)

    Ron
     
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Some more photos of Chartwell here .
    Some of the inside too.
    Looks to be a few years old these.
    http://www.travellinghistorian.com/church.html

    A couple of quotes I like.
    "A day away from Chartwell is a day wasted."

    and also
    "200 bricks and 200 words a day."
     
  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  14. elser

    elser Member

    I went to chartwell 2 years ago. To be honest i cannot think of anything that could improve the experiance, i had a great day… what stays most in mind for me is the beautiful grounds, i could just imagine (& feel) the old bulldog walking around them.

    "Behind the Horseman Sat Black Care"
    post equitem sedet atra cura

    - Ode, HORACE 3.1.41
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  16. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Couple of pics from IWM.

    • HU 102864
    [​IMG]
    The Prime Minister at Home - Family group on the Pink Terrace at Chartwell. Left to right Duncan and Diana Sandys, Julian Sandys, Emma Soames, Mr Churchill, Nicolas Soames, Winston Churchill Jr, Mrs Churchill, Arabella Churchill and Randolph Churchill.




    [​IMG]
    • HU 102865
    The Prime Minister at Home - On the Pink Terrace at Chartwell, Mr Churchill holds Emma Soames on his knee, next to him is Nicolas Soames, then Mrs Churchill holding Arabella Churchill. Behind stand (left) Winston Churchill the younger and Julian Sandys.
     
  17. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    These pictures bring back memories - I visited Chartwell a few years ago with eldest daughter. The feelng of being taken back in time to when the Churchills were living there was very moving. Must try to return.
    I remember the view from one of the upstairs windows, across the weald of Kent, which was said to be why Churchill fell for the house in the first place.
     
  18. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    It is a long time since I visited Chartwell but I remember that I found it to be an excellent experience.
    I quite like the way it all looked, just as if Winston was out for the day and would be soon returning to the house.
    As far as I am aware the NT have most knowledgeable volunteers and are always welcoming questions.
    I would not like Chartwell to become something like a Disney experience.
    Regards
    Tom
     
  19. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    http://www.winstonchurchill.org/publications/chartwell-bulletin/406-bulletin-90-dec-2015/3998-churchill-into-the-trenches#.VoArPmcLf4w.twitter


     
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  20. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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