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Recently voted the 'Greatest Briton', Sir Winston Churchill is best known as the wartime leader who saw us through our darkest hours. In 1915 Churchill was forced to resign from the wartime government, he was 40 years old and felt that his political career was over, deeply depressed, he found, in his words 'the Muse of Painting'. His 534 known paintings have been catalogued into a beautiful book entitled 'Sir Winston Churchill's life through his paintings' written and research by David Coombs and Minnie Churchill, the book follows his life through his paintings. Minnie Churchill is Director of Churchill Heritage which owns the copyright of Sir Winston's paintings and she will give a talk on Saturday night and accompany your visit to Chartwell on Sunday morning.

Saturday 14 October Arrival at the hotel in time for a Welcome Drink and a talk by Minnie Churchill to help you to identify some of the most interesting paintings you will see tomorrow at Chartwell. Followed by dinner in the hotel.

Sunday 15 October Depart, after a leisurely breakfast, for Chartwell, family home of Sir Winston Churchill. You can enjoy coffee on arrival before visiting his garden studio with Minnie Churchill. You may then visit the house and garden in your own time. Chartwell was Winston and Clementine Churchill's family home for over 40 years. The house is presented as a home, with the rooms and furniture arranged very much as the family used then throughout the 1920' and 30's when Churchill wrote prolifically. The rooms are light and airy and contain many portraits of Churchill himself as well as a magnificent collection of gifts, memorabilia, honours, medals, uniforms, books and his own paintings. There is also the famous Visitor Book recording those who visited Chartwell.

You will leave Chartwell at 1300 and drive the short distance to Squerryes Court where you will be private guests on a day when the house is not open to the public. Bought by the Warde family in 1731, it remains in their hands today and Squerryes Court is perhaps best known for the important collection of 18th century English and 17th century Dutch paintings housed here - many of which were commissioned by the family. Meanwhile, there are also sumptuously decorated rooms that are home to some splendid furniture, porcelain and tapestries.

On arrival you will have a private lunch in the Green Dining Room followed by a guided tour of the house. Outside lie the superb gardens that, following the Great Storm of 1987, have been restored to their original formal state using a garden plan of 1719 as a guide.

The afternoon will end with tea and cake before departure and the short drive back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Monday 16 October Breakfast and departure.

Price per person £329: Single Supplement £40: Non refundable deposit £75:
Includes :

• 2 nights dinner bed and breakfast
• Welcome reception
• Talk by Minnie Churchill
• Copy of the book 'Sir Winston Churchill's life through his paintings' (One per room)
• Private visit to Squerryes Court with lunch and tea
• Entries
• Professional guide and executive coaching