With summer just a week away and temperatures in London set to rise, city dwellers seeking refreshing countryside walks surrounded by nature will find an ideal destination in Knole Park. Located in Sevenoaks, Kent, this enchanting country park is a mere 25-minute train journey from London Bridge station, offering a quick escape from the urban hustle.
Knole Park: A Historic Deer Park
Spanning 383 acres, Knole Park is home to Kent's 'last medieval deer park,' where a herd of 350 deer grazes throughout the year. The National Trust owns 43 acres of the site, including the stately Knole House, while the remainder belongs to the Knole Estate, which also operates the Knole Park Golf Club. The park is open to the public, and pedestrians can enter for free via Sevenoaks High Street or Webb's Alley. Parking charges apply for those without tickets to the house. Dog walkers are welcome, provided dogs are kept under control, especially near the deer.
Entry Fees and Highlights
Entry to the gardens, courtyard, cafe, and tower of Knole House is free for National Trust members. For non-members, adult tickets cost £6, children aged 5–17 pay £3, and family tickets (two adults and up to three children) are £15. Children under five enter free, and parking is complimentary with admission tickets. For access to the building's stately rooms, adult tickets are £19, children's tickets £9.50, and family tickets £47.50.
Knole House is one of England's five largest houses, originally built as a palace for Thomas Langley, Bishop of Durham, in 1419. It was modified over centuries and became a royal property before Elizabeth I granted it to the Sackville family around 1600. The writer Vita Sackville-West, known for her relationships with Violet Keppel and Virginia Woolf, was born there in 1892. The Sackville family still resides at Knole as guardians, though ownership passed to the National Trust in 1947.
Wildlife and Reviews
Designated a Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Knole Park teems with wildlife. TripAdvisor reviewers praise it highly. One visitor wrote: 'Fantastic park for a walk, it's always great to see the deer grazing. Plenty of paths, plus if that's not enough, the back entrance leads straight into the woods, offering unlimited amounts of walks. Clean toilets and a cafe are a big plus!' Another added: 'We had a lovely day here, the sun shone as we sat on the roof area of the cafe and had coffee and a famous NT scone. The park was a delight as was seeing all the young deer. A walk through the house is a must just to listen to the excellent guides tell the story of the people and the house, each one adding some interesting titbit.'
Getting There
Knole Park is in Sevenoaks, Kent, easily reachable from London. Direct trains from London Bridge to Sevenoaks run frequently, taking 25–35 minutes. From the station, it's a 20–25 minute walk or a short taxi ride to the park.
