This week I attended a very special event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death at The Sttaford Hotel in London by Visit England. The event took place at The Stafford wine cellar, once a war shelter. From January 2015, a whole host of activity is planned across the country to commemorate England’s great wartime leader. From his birthplace, Blenheim Palace to his family home Chartwell in Kent, 2015 is set to be an exciting year of events. Below, VisitEngland presents its roundup of the best ways to celebrate Churchill’s legacy this year.
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| Randoph churchill, great grandson of Winston Churchill |
The Stafford wine cellar
Events*
Exhibition and trails, Chartwell, Kent
15 November 2014 – 22 February 2015
Opened in November 2014, this special winter exhibition, ‘Death of a Hero’, commemorates Churchill at his family home, exploring the latter weeks of his life, the funeral and his lasting legacy. It gives visitors the chance to view never before seen objects including the flag that flew over Washington the day he died.
Also launched over the four month period at the National Trust property is a new set of family trails. The ‘Life and Legacy’ trail teaches visitors about the history of Chartwell, as well as marking links to Churchill and his life at the property. The trail will lead guests to the Kitchen Garden and the wall that Churchill built, as well as the Nemon Statue, and the bench where he used to sit. Chartwell
Churchill: Science in War and Peace, Science Museum, London
23 January
50 years after his death, the Science Museum will be hosting a brand new exhibition dedicated to the wartime leader. ‘Churchill: Science in War and Peace’ will adopt an intimate tone by spotlighting individual scientists and their achievements under the direction of Churchill. Science Museum
Havengore re-enactment, London
30 January
The Havengore vessel, which carried the coffin of Sir Winston, will retrace its journey down the Thames, taking the same route at the same time of day as 50 years previously. Forming part of a small flotilla, the Havengore will pass under Tower Bridge, which will be raised in honour of Sir Winston at 12.45, continuing its journey past HMS Belfast, under Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, passing the London Eye and culminating in a special service and wreath laying in the waters directly opposite the Palace of Westminster at 13.15. In echoes of the original river procession, the Havengore will feature a crew in ceremonial bright blue and red uniforms and two Scottish pipers standing in the bows to play the pipes. The onboard party will include members of the Churchill family and others who were closely connected with the State Funeral, and the event provides a fitting yet highly visible public tribute to Winston Churchill.
Exhibition, commemorative garden and trail, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
14 February 2015 and 1 June 2015
Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Churchill, will re-open on 14 February with a newly refreshed, permanent Churchill exhibition. It will take visitors on a journey of his life, starting with his birth at the Palace, the many accolades he achieved, as well as his final days. Brought to life with photos, extracts from his diaries, artefacts and a number of other elements, the exhibition will give visitors a real sense of our ‘Greatest Briton’. A limited edition Churchill Valentine’s tea will run from 14 – 21 February, which will include special tobacco infused éclairs and his favourite champagne. The afternoon tea costs £27.95 per person.
Also at Blenheim, a commemorative garden will open in June, where Churchill proposed to his wife. A new Walk in Churchill’s Footsteps trail around the estate is also due to open this year. Blenheim Palace
Churchill’s Finest Hours package, The Feathers Hotel, Oxfordshire
One of the leading Cotswolds hotels, The Feathers Hotel, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death (and the 75th anniversary of his “Finest Hour” at the Battle of Britain) this year. The new Churchill’s Finest Hours package will combine a visit to the birthplace of Winston Churchill with an overnight stay at The Feathers, a bottle of his favourite Pol Roger Champagne (and a ‘Romeo y Julieta’ Winston Churchill cigar), the package will feature tickets to Blenheim Palace which is within walking distance of the hotel, plus bed, breakfast and a five course tasting menu. available throughout 2015, for more info: Feathers
Churchill package, The Stafford Hotel, London
The Stafford London, one of the city’s last remaining bastions of Great British hospitality, was frequented by Sir Winston Churchill during his political career. To mark the anniversary, the hotel will be offering a special themed package for 2015. It includes a bottle of Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2004, tickets to The Churchill War Rooms, “The Churchill Factor” book by Boris Johnson, welcome amenity and luxurious accommodation. For more info: The Stafford London
Churchill package, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has joined forces with the Churchill War Rooms and Blenheim Palace to create a brand new Winston Churchill package. Guests begin with a visit to the Churchill War Rooms in London, before heading to Le Manoir for a chance to sample Raymond Blanc’s seasonal menu and even play Churchill’s favourite card game Bezique. After a sumptuous breakfast, guests will travel to Blenheim Palace where they can explore Churchill’s birthplace. The package starts from £890 per couple sharing a room. Le Manoir
For more information, visitengland
*from Visit England
