Pictures of Sevenoaks

About Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks is a popular and prosperous residential town whose origins are rooted in the 12th-century when the village first established a market which was to thrive and ensure growth and stability for the village and it's inhabitants. The town originally took it's name from a group of Oaks in Knole Park, and over the centuries many groups of these lovely trees have been planted and replaced. The last plantation is believed to have taken place in 1955.

Knole House, one of the greatest treasure houses in England can be found at Knole. Once one of the largest private houses in England, Knole was built in 1454 by Thomas Bourchier when he was Archbishop of Canterbury. For many years Knole provided a retreat for Bishops until it was released by Cranmer to King Henry VIII. Eventually, the house passed from Queen Elizabeth Ist to Thomas Sackville, Ist Earl of Dorset, who was one of Elizabeth's favourites.

Amongst the treasures to be seen at Knole is the fabulous Venetian Ambassador's Room. Here there is a magnificent state bed (one of three) decorated with cupids and the letter JR, indicating that it may have belonged to James II. The furniture here is an absolute joy, so too, are the tapestries, paintings and fine collection of silver. Mostly, the treasures on display date prior to the 17th-century. There is a wonderful fireplace in the great chamber and the main ornamental staircase was to introduce a fashion in richly ornate stairways. Here too, was the first prototype of what we now call the 'knole settee' widely popular in all country houses throughout the land.

Sevenoaks is a fine town which is pleasant to explore. It is surrounded by wooded hills and clusters of small villages. It offers excellent shopping facilities and high quality inns and restaurants. Other fine properties nearby include; Ightham Mote and Old Soar Manor, both belong to the National Trust.

Other nearby recommended towns & villages..

Chiddingstone (37 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village in the county of Kent

(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction S of Sevenoaks)

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...

Tonbridge (32 Pictures)

a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent

(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction SE of Sevenoaks)

Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene...

Oxted (13 Pictures)

in the county of Surrey

(8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction W of Sevenoaks)

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...

Tunbridge Wells (63 Pictures)

in the county of Kent

(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction S of Sevenoaks)

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. ..

Groombridge (9 Pictures)

in the county of East Sussex

(11.0 miles, 17.8 km, direction S of Sevenoaks)

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...

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

Nearby attractions..

Knole House & Deer Park (64 Pictures)

(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)

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.....

Emmetts Garden (68 Pictures)

(3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction SW)

This must be the most perfectly positioned of all the gardens in the care of the National Trust. It occupies a majestic hill-top.....

Ightham Mote (96 Pictures)

(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction E)

This 14th century moated manor house, set in a hollow and partly surrounded by woods, serves as a powerful reminder of the past. .....

Chartwell (53 Pictures)

(4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction SW)

The home of Sir Winston Churchill, from 1924 until his death. Churchill purchased it for its magnificent views across the weald.....

Tonbridge Castle (16 Pictures)

(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction SE)

A fire in 1088 destroyed the first castle at Tonbridge, and the evocative remains we see today are of a later castle which was.....

Hever Castle (253 Pictures)

(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SW)

The very mention of Hever Castle conjures up memories of Anne Boleyn, the bewitching young girl for whom Henry VIII divorced.....

Chiddingstone Castle (8 Pictures)

(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction S)

..

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