Wednesday 29 June 2011

Chartwell, c 1946






















Hat - Uni qlo
Dress - Traid, £4 sale
Belt- Jumble sale, 20p
Bag - jumble sale, 50p
Shoes - H&M plus ribbon laces

Listening to ~ Blossom Dearie ~ Long Daddy Green

Prepare for some history geekery because on Sunday I spent a gloriously sunny day at Chartwell, National trust property and former home of Winston Churchill. According to my Father (who knows such things) it's the second most popular National Trust property. It was crazy busy because they were having a special 1940s day, with home guard demonstrations, all the staff in 1940s clothing, a brass band playing on the lawn and also a flyby from a spitfire. All made even better given we only went there on a whim. Chartwell felt quite different to some of the other national Trust places I've been to. I think because there is so much knowledge and information about the people who lived there, unlike others where not much is said. The house felt very homely and you can tell would be a gorgeous place to live, the views alone are incredible. It was quite an inspiring place really, there is a room full of all the accolades and awards given to Churchill over the course of his life in the 'uniform rooms' and also a mini museum. 

In the museum I found a great quote along the lines of -  "I like pigs; cats look down on you and dogs look up to you but pigs treat you as equals." It said he often sketched a little pig at the end of his letters. It's fascinating getting an insight into such a famous mind. As well as the house, you can visit Churchill's studio (well part of it) which contains some of his paintings, and the rose garden/ grounds. I really enjoyed looking around but it was so hot by the end I just had to flop down on the grass and listen to the brass band. I am so glad I wore this new dress from Traid ,during one of their brilliant £4 sales,(eventually it goes to £2.) I love the feeling of all that fabric, and I am a big fan of denim/ chambray any day.

9 comments:

  1. I so need to find Traid store when i get back to London! You look lovely in your dress and plimsolls!

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  2. Yay for the return of your historical homes posts! Chartwell looks like a great interactive estate with its 40s days. I hope next time I'm in England it will coincide with another retro event. I like the pigs comment as well, very Blandings Castle.

    And you rock the midi dress! My favourite shot is the last photo with you walking back to the house.

    Arianne from A + B in the Sea

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  3. These pictures are beautiful, such a lovely location! Awesome outfit too!
    From Carys of La Ville Inconnue

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  4. Wow, what gorgeous photos!! That is so cool that you happened to go there on 1940's day! What luck! Lovely outfit!! :)

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  5. these shots are so pretty. I love how they are all in a different spot. Your dress is wonderful, what a perfect length.

    I'm lucky enough to have dual citizenship in the states, so I saved and saved back in the U.K. packed my suitcases and left for SF not knowing anyone. Kind of scary, but it worked out amazingly

    x

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  6. Sounds like a great place! And it's certainly a superb place for photos! I quite like that pig quote too. ; )

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  7. Amazing pictures and look.. Looks like it was a fun place to visit and I absolutely loved the quote about the pigs, cats and dogs hahaha..

    All the best, Angel

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  8. I am such a fan of history, especially when it comes to fancy sites such as this one. The pictures really capture the whole mood of the day. And I love your dress! xx

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  9. I love visiting NT properties! I totally signed up for membership a few weeks ago, talk about geeking out. Looks like you were dressed perfectly for the occasion :)

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