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Pictures of Knole House & Deer Park

a Historic Building in the town of Sevenoaks, in the county of Kent

Knole House, Sevenoaks, Kent

About Knole House & Deer Park

This is one of England's most glorious houses. Set as it is in the midst of a magnificent park studded with ancient trees, the whole estate is a feast for everyone's eye's.

The house is justifiably famous for the splendid furniture made by Thomas Sackville, it is also known for its ornate state rooms, with their outstanding plasterwork, fireplaces, panelling and superb life-size statues.

Historically the house has a complex history, it comprises of 365 rooms, built some say to echo the days of the year. Its delightful medieval appearance is owed to the work of Thomas Bouchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, who bought it in 1466 and transformed it into a Bishop's Palace.

At the time of the Reformation, Knole was taken by Henry VIII who made spectacular alterations including the addition of a series state rooms above the old palace. He also added the outer courtyard, and the long east front with its gatehouse. Later Knole passed to Elizabeth I, who gave it to Thomas Sackville, Ist Earl of Dorset. Today, descendents of Thomas Sackville still occupy private apartments in the house.

The Sackville families' consuming passion was the collection of antiquities, thus over the centuries little was done to the house which is reason why it looks very much as though it is still in an early 17th century time-warp.

Amongst its treasures there are important paintings by Van Dyke, Gainsborough and Reynolds, and a rare collection of Royal Stuart furniture. There is an important set of Silver furniture, the original "Knole" sofa from the time of James I, and a state bed with gold tissue hangings. Many of these important acquisitions are still in original condition, especially the chairs which mostly have original upholstery and are in excellent condition.

Knole is colourful, yet sedate, it speaks of lavish extravagance with the eye drawn to every corner, wall and ceiling. It is an overwhelming experience, leaving you breathless at its beauty both inside and out, especially the 1000 acre deer park which was originally created as a hunting ground for the Princes of the Church but later served as a hunting chase for Royalty and then for the Sackville family.

There is a lovely garden with both formal and informal areas, a knot garden, an orangery and summerhouses. Despite the great storm of 1987 which devastated much of the wooded landscape of Knole, there still remains pleasant wooded areas and places where new plantation following the storm is now flourishing.

Visitors can enjoy refreshments in the Brew-House tea room and buy souvenirs from the on-site national trust shop.

Knole is open to public view for most parts of the year.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Knole House & Deer Park.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Knole House & Deer Park and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Knole House & Deer Park

Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve(1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NW)Pictures
Ightham Mote(2.6 miles, 4.3 km, direction E)Pictures
Emmetts Garden(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction W)Pictures
Tonbridge Castle(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Chartwell(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Penshurst Place and Gardens(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Chiddingstone Castle(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SW)Pictures
Hever Castle(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Lullingstone Roman Villa(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction N)Pictures
Eynsford Castle(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction N)Pictures

All attractions in Kent
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Knole House & Deer Park

Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction E)
This is a picturesque Kentish village at the centre of the counties hop growing fields. It has interesting Oast houses and a concentration of charming brick built cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tonbridge, in the county of Kent (5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction SE)
Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chiddingstone, in the county of Kent (6.1 miles, 9.7 km, direction SW)
Fascinating village, owned by the National Trust which is crammed with beautiful properties from the 16th and 17th-century probably built with iron-industry money.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Eynsford, in the county of Kent (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)
This is a small town in the Darent Valley. Way back in the mists of history it was thought to be an important town, but is now...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Downe, in the county of Greater London (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NW)
In common with most of this region the history of Downe reaches down the centuries to the days of the Romans and William the Conqueror.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction NE)
This is an attractive Kentish village lying to the south of Gravesend. It is picked out by its Windmill of 1801, which has been lovingly restored back to its original working order and is now one of the best preserved in Kent.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Oxted, in the county of Surrey (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction W)
A walk around the village reveals a riot of attractive 17th and 18th century cottages all standing on a rise surrounded by pretty flower-filled gardens.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tunbridge Wells, in the county of Kent (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction S)
Also known as Royal Tunbridge Wells and only a short distance from London, this popular spa town gained a reputation as the place to see and be seen during Georgian Times frequented by royalty and fashionable members of aristocracy. It also happens to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Groombridge, in the county of East Sussex (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction S)
In an area of attractive, outstanding villages, Groombridge with its 18th-century tiled cottages against the back-drop of a beautiful village green, stands out as being the very epitome of the perfect English village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Kent
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Sevenoaks Station(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction NW)
Bat & Ball Station(2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction N)
M25 Junction 5(3.3 miles, 5.4 km, direction NW)
M20 Junction 2(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE)
London City Airport(17.7 miles, 28.5 km, direction NW)
London Gatwick Airport(18.5 miles, 29.8 km, direction SW)
Knole House & Deer Park to London(22.2 miles, 35.8 km, direction NW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Knole House & Deer Park

Hotel Name
The Royal Oak Hotel(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
The Moorings Hotel(1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction NW)
Best Western Donnington Manor Hotel(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NW)
The Langley Hotel(4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction SE)
Best Western The Rose And Crown Hotel(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction SE)
The Kings Arms Hotel(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction W)
Holiday Inn Maidstone-Sevenoaks(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NE)
Hever Hotel(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction SW)
The Hadlow Manor Hotel(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction E)
Brandshatch Place & Spa(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction N)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts


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