A giant of British history, Winston Churchill has left behind an ongoing feline legacy
Often venerated as one of the greatest Britons to have ever lived, Sir Winston Churchill famously led the country to victory over the Nazis in the Second World War. While iconic as a leader and politician, Churchill was also a writer, painter, gardener, and a great cat lover! You can learn more about these sides of his personality — including a lasting feline legacy — by visiting Chartwell, Churchill’s family home in Kent that is now preserved by the National Trust.
Churchill is known as an animal lover and lived with cats throughout his life, including Mickey and Tango who were his feline companions at Chartwell and Nelson who accompanied him at the Prime Ministerial residence of Chequers. He even inherited a cat when he took up office at 10 Downing Street. The cats have been captured in portraits and there are long-lived tales of cats curling up on Churchill’s bed.
Chartwell is an important place for cat lovers to visit as there remains a lasting feline legacy. When Churchill was in his late 80s, he received a ginger cat from his secretary John ‘Jock’ Colville. He named the cat Jock and after Churchill’s death, his family requested that there always be “a marmalade cat named Jock, with a white bib and four white socks, in comfortable residence at Chartwell.”
Today, Jock VII lives in comfort at Chartwell and visitors may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him if they visit the National Trust property. The current feline incumbent came to Chartwell in May 2020 as a kitten who had been rescued by the RSPCA. The Chartwell website reports that Jock VII is a real character: “Jock VII has a very mischievous character. His favourite pastimes are investigating what the gardeners are up to and playing down in the long grasses of the orchard. He also likes lots of cuddles on the sofa after an eventful day.”
So, a visit to Chartwell is a must for cat lovers. As well as learning about Churchill’s many passions, you might spot one of his former pets in an artwork or even the cat who is maintaining a feline tradition that has lasted over 50 years. Today, at Chartwell, the cats are in charge, probably not too different from when Churchill was there himself! After all, he is often quoted as saying: “A cat looks down on man.” But it seems that only made him admire cats even more.
Visiting Chartwell
Tickets are currently price at £14 for adults and £7 for children, which grants visitors access to the house, impressive gardens, woodlands, Churchill’s studio that features a collection of his paintings, and the visitor centre.