Chamberlain Guest House

Chamberlain Guest House is a warm and peaceful guest house nestling in the garden suburb of Vincent, East London. The guest house is owner-managed which ensures meticulous attention to detail. A comfortable and relaxed stay within a professional environment can be expected.From 1970 until 1977, Chamberlain Guest House was the family home of Donald Woods, editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper. Donald was banned by the government of the time for his outspoken political views. Whilst living here, the Woods family was under constant threat from the authorities and on three separate occasions, security police fired bullets into the house. One bullet hole remains bearing testimony to this. It was here, whilst under banning orders, that Donald wrote his first book detailing the events surrounding the death of Steve Biko.

In order to get his book published and to escape continuous persecution, the Woods family made the decision to leave South Africa. It was from this house in December 1977 that Donald, disguised as a priest, escaped. He was re-united with his family in Lesotho shortly after his departure. The Woods family reached the United Kingdom safely. Donald died in 2001; his remains are buried in the Cambridge Cemetery in East London, South Africa. His wife, Wendy, and their children continue to live in England.