Discover Knole in Sevenoaks, Kent
A visit to Knole is an unmissable experience in Sevenoaks, Kent – set among one of England’s oldest deer parks, it provides visitors with an unforgettable experience. Whether it is history that intrigues you or simply strolling through this magnificent park; Knole House provides something for all visitors at Knole.
Knole can be reached within 35 minutes from London Charing Cross by train, making it ideal for day trips from central London. Thameslink services run frequently between Tunbridge Wells, Ashford and Canterbury with connections also running along the Kent coast. Check this out for more information.
Knole House, constructed during the 16th century and owned by one aristocratic family for thirteen generations since, stands today as an icon of England’s past wealth and power.
Knole will provide an unforgettable experience, and one of the best ways to explore its splendour is on a guided tour. There are various tours departing from the visitor centre which feature both information about its interiors as well as strolls through its grounds – both breathtaking sights in their own right!
If a guided tour isn’t your cup of tea, self-guided walks in the park provide an alternative approach to exploring. There are three marked walks starting and finishing at the house’s entrance: red and black arrows are 5km walks while blue arrows provide 4km trails specifically tailored for families.
Walking is an ideal way to experience the natural beauty of Knole Park and its surrounds, and there are multiple routes in and out that you can take. If you feel up to it, why not go on an entire estate walk!?
Book a tour of Knole’s Conservation Studio to witness art restoration at work and gain more insight into how houses and their contents remain looking their best. This tour provides an invaluable learning opportunity.
Knole House is filled with treasures and secrets; their stories would rival Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando in terms of intriguing strangeness. Knole’s state rooms host paintings by Van Dyke, Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds among many others.
Knole Park offers visitors an unforgettable experience by giving them access to some of England’s last remaining deer parks – one with an ongoing herd dating back 500 years! There are multiple opportunities here to come close and meet these iconic creatures.
There are also plenty of walking trails crisscrossing the park, making it an ideal location for those wanting to get outside in the fresh air and admire the beautiful views. Additionally, there are long distance treks through Sevenoaks Weald and Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that provide even more opportunities to take in nature’s glory.
A Day Out at Knole
When you step into the imposing, 600-year-old estate that is the former Archbishops Palace at Knole, you’ll instantly be in Winnie-the-Pooh country.
The National Trust has been taking care of this historic building since the mid 15th century and it’s considered one of England’s largest houses. You can explore all the state rooms inside, and marvel at the beautiful paintings by Van Dyke, Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Women have always played an important part in the house’s history, from Lady Anne Clifford and Frances Cranfield, heiresses who funded early estates, to Giovanna Zanerini, an Italian ballerina beloved by the 18th-century culture-vulture John Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset, who still has an erotic nude statue modelled on her.
Learn about Emmetts Garden in Sevenoaks for another great day out in the local area.