The Churchill exhibition at the Wallace Collection, officially titled Winston Churchill: The Painter, is a fascinating look at a side of Churchill you don’t often get to see: the man behind the cigar and bow tie, with a paintbrush in his hand!
I first discovered his passion for painting a few years ago at Chartwell, his home in Kent. But this exhibition gave me an even fuller picture of Churchill the artist.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you inside this must-see exhibition in Marylebone.
Winston Churchill: discover the artist behind the Statesman
Winston Churchill: The Painter runs at the Wallace Collection until 29 November 2026, bringing together more than 50 paintings, including many from private collections rarely seen by the public.
But the story behind Churchill’s painting is perhaps even more fascinating than the works themselves.
He picked up a paintbrush in 1915 (he was 40 years old when he started), at one of the lowest points of his career. Forced out as First Lord of the Admiralty after the disastrous Dardanelles/Gallipoli campaign, he was devastated.
He discovered painting almost on a whim using his sister-in-law’s paint box. Painting did become a source of relief and escape for him. Churchill later famously wrote that “the Muse of Painting came to my rescue".
He never really stopped. By the time he died, Churchill had painted somewhere between 500 and 600 canvases.
He learned from artists including Sir John Lavery, William Nicholson and Walter Sickert, and gradually took painting much more seriously than his modest comments about his own talent might suggest.
There’s also a lovely connection between Churchill and the Wallace Collection itself: in 1942, the museum hosted Artists Aid Russia, a fundraising exhibition supported by Clementine Churchill. The story continues with the free companion display The Wallace Collection at War, running alongside the exhibition.
Why you should see Winston Churchill: The Painter at the Wallace Collection
The surprising talent of Winston Churchill
Here’s a fact: Churchill was actually a pretty good painter.
I’d already had a glimpse of this at Chartwell, where a few of his canvases hang around the house. But seeing more than 50 works together is something else!
You can actually watch his style develop, from those first tentative paintings to confident Mediterranean scenes, colourful French Riviera views and luminous Moroccan landscapes.
I was genuinely impressed by many of the paintings on display!
Churchill’s paintings: a glimpse into his private life
There are also more personal works of Chartwell and its gardens, which somehow give you a glimpse of the man behind the famous statesman.
And then you notice the objects scattered around the galleries: his easel, paints, brushes and even his spectacles.There’s also a quarter bottle of Pol Roger, his favourite champagne, said to be the last one he drank, just a week before he died in 1965.
It’s always quite touching to discover the more personal side of public figures, isn’t it?
Churchill: The Painter exhibition audio guide
One final tip: there’s a free audio guide (you access it via QR code at the entrance or on the Wallace Collection website), partly narrated by Sir Gary Oldman, who played Churchill on screen. It’s well worth listening to as you make your way around the exhibition, just bring your headphones!
Why the Wallace Collection makes this exhibition even more special
The Wallace Collection is a hidden London gem
The Wallace Collection is one of London’s most underrated museums. A gorgeous, free townhouse packed with Old Masters, armour and beautiful French furniture. And somehow, plenty of people walk straight past it!
So if Churchill gives you an excuse to finally step inside, take it. The museum itself is worth the visit!
Lunch at the Wallace Restaurant
And don’t rush off afterwards. The Wallace Restaurant, tucked beneath the glass roof of the central courtyard, is one of my favourite hidden spots for lunch in London.
With its greenery, beautiful architecture and streams of natural light, it feels surprisingly peaceful for somewhere right in the middle of Marylebone.
A perfect Marylebone stop
The museum is on Manchester Square, just a few minutes from Oxford Street and Baker Street, so it’s incredibly easy to combine with a day out in Marylebone or a spot of shopping.
Art, history, lunch and a beautiful London setting, not a bad way to spend an afternoon, right?!
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Everything you need to know about the Wallace Collection Churchill exhibition
Address: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN
Exhibition dates: 23 May – 29 November 2026
Tickets: From £6 (Universal Credit/Pension Credit) up to £18 (Adult); £12 for Under 26 and Disabled Adult; £6 for Young Person (12–17); free for Under 12s and Wallace Collection members. Book online in advance, as entry to the exhibition is timed.
Opening hours: Daily, 10.00am–5.00pm (closed 24–26 December). The permanent Wallace Collection galleries remain free to enter.
Website: wallacecollection.org
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I was invited to experience the exhibition as a guest. As always, everything I share here reflects my own honest opinion and experience.
