Chequers

Chequers in Ellesborough is an Elizabethan country house in Buckinghamshire and, since 1921, the countryside retreat of Britain's serving prime ministers. It stands at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, about 64 km north-west of central London, roughly midway between Princes Risborough and Wendover. It is a working official residence rather than a visitor attraction, so it helps to know what to expect before you go.

Can you visit Chequers?

No. Chequers is closed to the public, with no access to the house or grounds. There are no tickets, guided tours or regular open days. The prime minister uses it for rest, working meetings and hosting foreign guests. Do not approach the gates or fence line; the area is protected and police presence is routine.

What kind of building is it?

The house is on the National Heritage List for England at Grade I, the top tier, under entry number 1125879. The listing traces the present building to 1565, when William Hawtrey had a mansion built here, possibly on the site of an older house. It was restored more than once in later years to bring back its Elizabethan character. The surrounding park and gardens have their own separate entry, at Grade II.

How did it become the prime ministers' house?

Arthur Lee and his wife Ruth took the house on a long lease in 1909, and after the previous owner died in 1912 Lee secured the property. Having restored it, he chose to give it to the nation so that prime ministers would have a place to recover away from London. The Chequers Estate Act of 1917 set up the gift, which took effect on 1 January 1921, along with roughly 600 hectares of land. The house, its collections and the estate are held in trust for successive heads of government.

What can you see from outside?

From public roads and paths you will not get a close look at the house; trees and the lie of the land hide it. The real draw is the surrounding countryside. Most of nearby Coombe Hill, about 1.1 km to the north-east, once belonged to the estate. Today it is an open viewpoint in the Chilterns with a broad outlook over the Vale of Aylesbury. Walking up it is the best way to appreciate the landscape that surrounds the residence.

How do you get to the area?

A car is the easiest option, as buses in this part of Buckinghamshire are infrequent. The nearest railway stations are Wendover and Princes Risborough, both on the line from London Marylebone. From either you can take a taxi to Ellesborough and the foot of Coombe Hill, or walk across the fields. Bring an Ordnance Survey map and sturdy boots, since paths can turn muddy.

When is the best time to go?

Late spring and early autumn suit walks in the Chilterns best, when the beechwoods are green or golden and paths are drier. Winter views can be just as good, but the slopes get slippery. Do not count on glimpsing the house: sightlines from public paths are limited, and the area around the residence can be closed temporarily.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go inside Chequers? No. It is the prime minister's private place of work and rest, with no tourist access.

Who owns Chequers? It is held by a trust established by statute, which makes it available to the serving prime minister. Arthur Lee gave it to the nation.

What style is the house? It is an Elizabethan manor whose origins date to 1565, restored over the following centuries.

What is worth seeing nearby? Coombe Hill, with its wide view over the vale, and the villages and footpaths of the Chilterns around Ellesborough, Wendover and Princes Risborough.