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London to Chartwell by train and bus or taxi

Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill, is a popular attraction. It is not near a station but there are bus services from several stations to Westerham, then it is 2 miles signposted walk to Chartwell. On Sundays and Bank Holidays bus 246 from Bromley and Hayes operates all the way to Chartwell while the House is open (March to October) - making this the easiest way to visit.

Chartwell is open March to October, Daily 1000-1700, House 1100-1600 by timed ticket.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell

Monday-Saturday

If you are willing to walk 2 miles a good route to Chartwell is by train from London Victoria to Bromley South (London zone 5, several trains per hour) then bus 246 every 30 minutes to Westerham and follow the signposted 2 miles walk to Chartwell. Bus 246 is a Transport for London route so London Travelcards and Oyster cards can be used on the bus to Westerham, despite it being outside London.

The walk from Westerham is initially across fields then through woodland, some paths may be muddy after wet weather but the worst of the mud can be avoided by following the B2026 road up to Hosey Common car park. Westerham is an attractive small country town with a statue of Churchill on the Green (near the 246 bus stops) and it is well worth exploring if you have time.

Bus 246 passes Biggin Hill Memorial Museum www.bhmm.org.uk which tells the story of the fighter station's important part in the Battle of Britain, look out for the replica Spitfire aircraft by the Museum entrance.

Sunday & Bank Holidays*

On Sundays and Bank Holidays* bus 246 operates all the way to Chartwell when the House is open (March to October). This is the easiest way to visit Chartwell by public transport. Buses are hourly so plan your journey carefully, please see the times below.

* For Bank Holiday dates see www.gov.uk/bank-holidays.

Train
London Victoria085509551055and
Bromley South 091210121112then
Bus 246 hourly
Bromley South 092910281128
Chartwell 101311141215
Bus 246
Chartwell 1219and 16201720
Bromley South 1306then 17051804
Train hourly
Bromley South 1318until 17181818
London Victoria1336 17361836

The times of trains and buses are provided in good faith but errors are possible and they may change, please check before you travel with National Rail (trains) and Transport for London (bus 246). A timetable for bus 246 is available from London Bus Routes. Always check weekend and Bank Holiday train times because they may be altered for engineering work.

Bus 246 also passes opposite Hayes station (about 13 minutes after Bromley South) which normally has trains from Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Bridge. Check train times for your date of travel with National Rail, simply enter 'London' as your 'From' station to see the options.

Alternative Stations

There are buses to Westerham from Oxted and Sevenoaks stations but these buses are less frequent. Bus 236 from Oxted passes near Chartwell but the walk is along a sometimes busy narrow road with no path. The walk of 2 miles from Westerham is longer but safer and you may like to allow time to explore Westerham itself, an attractive small country town with a statue of Churchill on Westerham Green.

Bromley map Westerham map
Photograph of Chartwell

Chartwell

Photograph of Chartwell Golden Roses

Chartwell Golden Roses

FAQ: I have a 7-Day Travelcard for London Zones 1-2, can I really use it for travel on bus 246 to Westerham or Chartwell?

Yes, you can use it because bus 246 to Westerham (and Chartwell on Sundays and Bank Holidays) is a London bus route and zones don't apply to buses.

However, you will need to pay for the train journey from the boundary of zone 2 to Bromley South (in zone 5).
If your 7-Day Travelcard is on Oyster just make sure you have enough PAYG (Pay As You Go) credit on your Oyster card (£7 will be sufficient for the two train journeys at off-peak times).
If your 7-Day Travelcard is a paper (National Rail) ticket show it at the ticket office and ask for a day return from 'Boundary Zone 2' to Bromley South. Use your Travelcard to start your journey in London, then switch to the paper ticket marked OUT to exit at Bromley South. Start the return train journey with the RTN paper ticket, then your Travelcard in London.

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Houses of the National Trust

Gardens of the National Trust

Churchill: An Extraordinary Life

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