Knole Park |
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Knole Park is just the place to combine a round of golf with a historic and interesting National Trust property. Knole Park Golf Club is uniquely located on part of the 1000 acres of deer park which, together with the mansion, make up Knole Park.
The golf course was opened by Lord Sackville in 1924 when he took the first shot on the J. Abercromby designed course. To preserve it during World War 2, members had to resort to placing major objects on the fairways to prevent enemy aircraft landing.
In 1967 Knole Park shot to fame when the Beatles recorded their "Strawberry Fields Forever" promotional film striding across these acres. Visitors may recogise the stone archway through which the Beatles rode
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Non-golfers can find other ways to enjoy the spendours of this magnificent estate, said to be the largest private house in England. This splendid Tudor house has been in the Sackville family since 1566, when it was given to Thomas Sackville by his cousin, Elizabeth I.
Knole Park was originally built by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Bourchier, in 1456 when the earlier house was demolished. It was created as a country retreat and hunting ground for himself and future Archbishops of Canterbury. Henry VIII took a shine to the prized estate and forced his Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, to hand it over to him in 1538.
Today the house and approximately 43 acres of the park is managed by the National Trust. Lord Sackville and his family still live in part of this grand house.
Knole Park can name-drop with impunity considering its royal connections throughout its extensive history. Writer Vita Sackville-West was born here and went on to buy Sissinghurst Castle Garden and create the splendid National Trust owned gardens there.
Her friend Virginia Woolf spent much of her time at Knole Park and based her novel "Orlando" on the Sackville family history. A copy of her bound manuscript is on display in the house.
A tour of the thirteen state rooms in this magnificent home provides a
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Look for the leopards on the newel posts of the Jacobean staircase, appreciate the Royal Stuart furniture collection and admire the fabulous works of art by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Van Dyck among other great artists.
The Great Chamber has a vividly carved fireplace and overmantel. There is even the first ever high-sided "Knole settee" which was specially designed in 1610 for Knole Park.
The gardens close to the house are sheltered by a wall and include formal gardens and lawns and the informal "Wilderness" area. The medieval deer park, the only one remaining in the country, has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The grounds feature a mixture of wild flower meadows, woodland and wetland habitats.
The deer park at Knole Park has changed little in the last 400 years although 70% of the mature trees were lost in the Great Storm of 1987. The herds of fallow and sika deer are surprisingly tame and wander freely throughout the park, even nibbling the grass on the golf course!
Knole Park has a newly opened Visitor center, a shop and a café for refreshments and cream teas in the Brew House.
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
House 12th March - 30th October 12.00pm - 4.00pm Wednesday - Sunday Shop, tea-room, Visitor Centre,Orangery 12th March - 3rd April: 10.30am - 5.00pm Tuesday - Sunday 6th April - 3rd October: 10:30am - 5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5th April - 2nd October: 10.30am - 5.00pm Tuesday - Sunday 5th - 30th October: 10.30am - 5.00pm Wednesday - Sunday 2nd November - 23rd December: 11.00am - 4.00pm Wednesday - Sunday 5th April - 27th September: 11.00am - 4.00pm Tuesday Please Note: Open Bank Holiday Mondays. Garden open Tuesdays only between April and September. As this is a private garden, seating is limited and plants are not labelled. Vehicles not admitted when whole of property is closed. Park open daily for pedestrians. Last admission 30 minutes before closing |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets):House: Adult £11.50 (£10.40); Child £5.75 (£5.25) Family £28.75 (£26.00). Garden, limited opening: Adult £5.00; Child £2.50. Car park: Non members £4.00 per car. Park free to pedestrians all year. |
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Directions
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By Bus from surrounding area to Sevenoaks, ¾-mile walk Cycling View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website By road Leave M25 at exit 5 (A21). Park entrance in Sevenoaks town centre off A225 Tonbridge Road (opposite St Nicholas's church). Sat Nav: some Sat Nav systems may not direct you to Knole By train Sevenoaks 1½ miles On foot park entrance at south end of Sevenoaks town centre, opposite St Nicholas's church Ordnance survey reference 188:TQ532543 |
| Show map of Knole Park... |
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Knole Park Postcode for SatNav: TN15 0RP |
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