Home to historic heroes with plenty to see and do, it’s little wonder that pretty Westerham is popular with local and visitors alike
History and more
Mentioned as ‘Oistreham’ in the Domesday Book of 1096, Westerham’s impressive history – encompassing industry and personalities alike – is thought to date from the neolithic period. In 1927 the ‘Westerham Hoard’ of coins dating from around 100BC - including one thought to be the earliest ever struck in Britain - was discovered on a hill just outside the town, while the remains of an Iron Age camp were excavated on the Squerryes Estate in the 1960s. With the river Darent rising in the town (its clear waters visible near the Darent car park) and hops growing nearby, brewing played an important part in the town’s development from the 1600s onwards. Although The Black Eagle Brewery, based here and one of Kent’s largest ale producers, closed in the 1960s, happily Westerham Brewery opened its doors in 2004, and has been going strong with its mix of bitters, IPAs and lagers ever since. Meanwhile, the legacy of those vines introduced by the Romans all those centuries ago can be seen in the award-winning sparkling wines produced at Squerryes.
It’s Westerham’s former inhabitants, though, who prove a particular lure for visitors. On the town’s central Green, you’ll see the statue to General James Wolfe, born in the town in 1727. The most celebrated military hero of the 18th century, he’s best known for helping secure victory over the French in 1759’s Battle of Quebec – visitors can find out more about him at his childhood home at the National Trust’s Quebec House.
Westerham’s star attraction, though, is statesman Winston Churchill’s home here at Chartwell, also in the Trust’s care. Churchill is said to have fallen for the house thanks to its peaceful location and the panoramic views across the weald from its windows, with its easy access to London another plus. He bought Chartwell with his wife Clementine in 1922, and it remained their family home until his death in 1965. His statue, cast in bronze and gift from the people of Yugoslavia in 1969, takes centre stage on The Green.
Today, easy links to the capital via the M25, stations nearby at Oxted and Sevenoaks and good schools within reach make Westerham a popular choice for families, with prices to match. You’re looking in the region of around £800,000 for a contemporary four-bedroom family home; character properties can cost upwards of £1,000,000.
Exploring the town
Compact and easy to navigate, those in Westerham find much of day-to-day life centres on the Green and nearby Market Square and High Street, with its bustling shops. The church of St Mary The Virgin, just off The Green, 800 years old but heavily restored in the 19th century, is worth visiting not only for a dose of tranquillity, but for features including a 14th-century font that marked the baptism of the infant Wolfe and its unusual 14th-century bell-tower spiral staircase. Just outside of town, Squerryes winery has been in the hands of the Warde family of Squerryes Court for over 300 years. Whether you’re already a fan of the family's award-winning vintage sparkling wine or are keen to discover more, this is the place to come for a tour or autumnal tutored tasting.
Beyond the noble grape, the National Trust offers a hat-trick of delights within easy reach of the town. At Wolfe’s childhood home, red-brick Quebec House, highlights include examples of the paraphernalia that the General took with him on his various military campaigns – an extraordinary travelling canteen of cooking equipment, for instance. Chartwell offers the ultimate insight into Churchill’s life, times, pleasures and pursuits; there are plenty of examples of his artwork on display. Completing the trio of NT venues, Emmetts Garden at nearby Ide Hill was laid out in the 19th century, and is home to exotic and rare trees and shrubs. Look out for the Fungi Festival here this month – see our What’s On pages for details.
Eating and drinking
In the heart of town, The Old Bank is Michelin-guide listed, winning praise for ‘flavour combinations [that] display depth and sophistication.’ oldbank-westerham.co.uk. The recently refurbished George & Dragon offers smart dining and stylish accommodation georgeanddragonwesterham.co.uk. Going strong since 1999, Napoli e, housed in pretty a grade 11 listed building, keeps pizza and risotto fans satisfied, with pasta, meat and fish on its menu too napoli-e.co.uk. Number 17 is the place to come for a sophisticated glass of wine or a cocktail, with food including giant sausage rolls no17westerham.co.uk. For something lower key, head for The Tudor Rose Tearooms on The Green for a lunch-time baked potato, or soup and a sandwich, or indulge later in a Kentish cream tea
Next door, The Grasshopper on the Green – over 700 years old - takes its name from that of an ancient local family and serves local beers and hearty food, with a welcoming fire on colder days grasshopperongreen.com. Deli De Luca enjoys a good reputation as a coffee-and-cake stop off, while in the Courtyard area, you’ll find Brunch, offering treats including waffles and herby mushrooms. It’s back to Squerryes Winery if you’re great food in a lovely setting –dishes feature the Estate’s own lamb, beef and venison, and on October 11 you can sample plump Kent oysters on the terrace here squerryes.co.uk. Visitors are welcome, too, at Westerham Brewery, also on the Squerryes site – just rock up at its tap room, day times and evenings, to sample its award-winning beer or a coffee – street-food is sometimes available here, too westerhambrewery.co.uk
Shopping
Westerham’s a delight for those who appreciate small-scale independent shops, and as far as women’s fashion is concerned, you can start with underwear at Entre Nous Lingerie and work your way on from there. Kate’s Collection on The Green offers boho elegance and includes labels such as Griza and Alquema katescollection.co.uk, Dressed Westerham (with Dressed Men just next door) in The Courtyard is great for stylish and colourful casual dressing with a youthful twist dressedwesterham.co.uk. Need shoes? Manuka on The Green will see you stepping out with panache manukashoes.com. If interiors are more your thing, you’ll find plenty in the town to keep you shopping. You’ll find imaginatively reinvented furniture and accessories at The Vintage Home Company thevintagehomecompany.co.uk, or head to fabulously blingy Interior Design Studios for quirky pieces including chandeliers, elephant sculptures – even a sofa upholstered in a houndstooth check.jaynereeseinteriors.co.uk.
Further down the road is The Hive, a gallery and giftshop that’s home to all things hand-crafted thehive-giftshopandgallery.co.uk, and Petals & Past, run by mother-daughter team Nina and Katie – gorgeous plants and dried flowers meet mid-century furniture, with prices lower than you’d pay in London petalsandpast.co.uk. Anyone who loves bagging a bargain for a good cause is sure to appreciate the town’s decidedly upmarket charity shops – Sue Ryder, Hospice in the Weald, Hospice of Hope and Chartwell Charities - where you’ll find lovingly curated selections of clothes, books and bric-a-brac. Finally, if you want a treat to take home, head for Chocs on the Green for a bag of fudge or Belgian truffles, with vegan and low-sugar treats available too.
Case study
For the past couple of years, Louise Douglas has managed The Chartwell Charities’ Westerham shop, which sells everything from pre-loved clothes to furniture and offers free house clearances, too. Committed to improving the lives of cancer and leukaemia patients, the local charity was founded by her father Michael in 2004, after he was successfully treated for leukaemia. chartwellcancertrust.co.uk
‘There’s a real community feel in the town – it’s the sort of place where people go out of their way to help one another. I mentioned the other day to customers that I’d inadvertently switched off the fridge at work, meaning that my milk was off – and within a couple of hours I’d been brought replacement pints by four different people! Regular community events are held throughout the year: fairs on The Green and the wonderful Festival of Christmas Trees, held in the church every year: it’s packed with small trees decorated by schools, businesses and community groups and the event attracts a lot of visitors. Handy shops mean Westerham’s a convenient place to live and work: a Nisa store just a few doors away means I can pick up bits and pieces for the family meal, there’s the Day Lewis chemist, and the post-office next door comes into its own, especially at Christmas. Families enjoy living here because we’ve got lovely countryside nearby, the playground at St George's Field and a good primary school. Out-of-towners are attracted by our historic links with General Wolfe and Churchill and the NT properties, but they also enjoy pottering in our smaller shops – we seem to get lots of visitors who’ve hopped on the ultra-convenient 246 bus from Bromley to spend the day here. We get celebrity visitors too: I’ve spotted Dame Judi Dench in The George & Dragon!
