Some time ago we visited a beautiful place in Kent – Knole. Knole Park is one of the few deer-parks in England that have survived since the 16th century. Also it is the only deer-park in Kent. The park was first enclosed by a fence in 1456 by Thomas Bourchier to fulfill his a passion for hunting, which was popular among the upper class of the time.

Knole Park entrance

In Tudor times the deer-park gained more of the ornamental parks of 17th and 18th centuries but there are still medieval elements that were retained like hawthorn, oak, yew, hornbeam, silver birch, bird maple and ash trees – trees and bushes that dominated the area. The park almost stays unchanged since 1608. In 19th century the lighter-colored fallow deer were joined by the darker and shorter species – Japanese Sika deer.
During both World Wars areas of the park were utilized as military camps. There are several marks left in the park – the metalled roads build by the army and several bomb craters beside the golf course which are the past of the ‘Bomb Alley’ between London and English Channel.

In October 1987 the great storm has brought a real devastation to the park. In one night, 70 per cent of the trees many of which were around 200 years old were lost in the park and nearby Sevenoaks has lost all but one of its seven commemorative oaks. Later on over the next five years, the 6th Lord Sackville made the 1000 acres to be replanted to bring its former glory back to life.
There are a number of spectacular buildings in the park. The biggest of them is the Knole House – an English Country House. It is remarkable in England for the degree to which its early 17th-century appearance is preserved. Many houses of this period were dramatically changed later on. Some of the buildings in the park reflect the 18th century passion for picturesque views. For example, couple of hundred yards to the east of the main garden fake ruins have been built in 1760s and several other buildings.

Today, the house is in the care of the National Trust; however, the Trust only owns the house and about 43 acres of the park. Considerably more than half the house is still home to the Sackville-Wests. Lord Sackville and his family still own the gardens and the rest of the surrounding estate. Knole’s garden is probably the largest private walled garden in Britain at 26 acres (30 including the ‘footprint’ of the house), and indeed is large enough to have the very unusual (essentially mediaeval) feature of a smaller walled garden inside itself. Knole Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the park hosts the annual Knole Run, a prestigious schools cross-country race.
In January 1967 Knole Park and Knole House were used in the filming of the Beatles’ videos that accompanied the release of Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever. The stone archway through which the four Beatles rode on horses can still be seen on the south eastern side of the Bird House, which is itself found on the south eastern side of Knole House. It was also used in the filming of The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), along with nearby Penshurst Place and Dover Castle.

Knole Park is an excellent location to go for a walk or, if you like, visit the historical buildings. There are lots of friendly deer, although, it is not recommended to feed them, because the animals can be dangerous. You can come to Knole with your dog, provided you keep it on the lead. Knole Park is very close to Sevenoaks town centre where there are a nummber of local pubs and restaurents for you to have a snak. Knole is surely a place to enjoy the beauty of nature and  have relaxing weekend.

Admission prices:

Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets): £10 (£9), child £5 (£4.50), family £25 (£22.50). Groups (£8.50). Garden, limited opening (Standard Admission): £2, child £1. Park free to pedestrians.

Address:

Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0RP
Telephone: 01732 450608 (Infoline)