Knole
KentTake in the scale and magnificence of this 600-year-old estate with its courtyards, showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and acres of parkland.
Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP (Sat Nav TN13 1HX)
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Important notice
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 18 February 2026
Asset Opening time Showrooms 11:00 - 16:00 Gatehouse tower 11:00 - 16:00 Brewhouse Café 10:00 - 17:00 Car park 10:00 - 17:00 Park Dawn - Dusk Bookshop 10:00 - 17:00 Toilets 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Book a visitLast entry to the Gatehouse Tower and showrooms is 3.30pm. Last orders in Brewhouse Café should be made 30 minutes before closing time.
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11am-4pm.
Outdoor & Tower
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £6.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £3.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £15.00 Group (Adult 18+) £5.70 Group (Child 5-17) £2.85 One adult family: 1 adult and up to 3 children £9.00 Showrooms, Outdoor & Tower (showrooms open 16 Feb)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £19.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £47.50 Group (Adult 18+) £18.00 Group (Child 5-17) £9.00 One adult family: 1 adult and up to 3 children £28.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Audio guide
An audio guide containing information about conservation work at Knole is available from the Visitor Centre.
- Bookshop
The bookshop is situated in Green Court and sells new books, stationery, greetings cards and postcards. There is also a children's corner with books, toys and games.
Bookshop - more information- Café
Open 10am-4pm. Last orders 30 minutes before closing.
Café - more information- Car park
- Dogs allowed
Dogs are allowed in the courtyards but not in any indoor spaces, including the café, showrooms and shops. There is covered outdoor seating at the café where dogs are permitted. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the property. In the park, dogs must be on a lead at all times to protect the wild deer herd.
Dogs allowed - more information- Toilet
There are two toilet locations: one in Green Court near the showrooms and shops, and another on the ground floor of the conservation studio building opposite the Brewhouse Café. Baby changing facilities are available in both toilet locations. There are two large accessible toilets on site and no adult changing facilities.
Showrooms partially accessible (wheelchairs users can only access Great Hall). Gatehouse Tower not accessible to wheelchairs due to steep, narrow, spiral staircase. Baby changing facilities are available in the two toilet locations (Green Court and conservation studio building); there are no adult changing facilities.
- Accessible route and/or map
The Great Hall is the only area of the house that is accessible to wheelchair users. There are hard-standing paths in the parkland but many cross a golf course so please discuss suitable routes with staff in the Visitor Centre. An enclosed picnic area is located in the park next to the car park, with decked flooring and a ramp suitable for wheelchair use.
- Accessible toilet
There are two large accessible toilets on site, one located off the main entrance to the house and another located on the ground floor of the conservation studio building opposite the Brewhouse Café. Both accessible toilets are left hand transfer. All toilets have tiled floors and are lit with artificial light. Two baby changing facilities available.
- Braille (guide or menu)
A braille guide for the showrooms is available.
- Designated parking
Parking is available for Blue Badge holders. Please have your Blue Badge on clear display so we can direct you to an accessible space. The car park is situated between the Brewhouse Café and the main building, approximately 145 metres from each on a gradient of 1:32. There are 19 designated spaces for Blue Badge holders.
- Drop-off point
Drop off zone located outside the front of the main building.
- Induction loop
Induction loops are located at till points in the Visitor Centre, shop, bookshop and Brewhouse Café. There is also an induction loop in The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio. A portable induction loop is available for use in the showrooms if required; please ask a member of staff in the Visitor Centre for assistance.
- Large print (guide or menu)
All interpretation panels in the house are in large print.
- Level access to food outlet
The Brewhouse Café is accessible by a pathway on a gradient of 1:14 from the accessible car park.
- Level access to shop
There is level access to all ground floor spaces, except for the gift shop and Orangery, where lifts are available.
- Level access/terrain
There is access across level paving throughout the courtyard areas. The route to the showrooms is across 73 metres of level paving through two courtyards. There is one step, with an accessible ramp, into the Great Hall entrance. The Great Hall is the only area of the house that is accessible to wheelchair users.
- Lift
A lift is available for access to The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio and Hayloft Learning Centre. A lift is available in the gift shop and the bookshop for wheelchair access to and from the Orangery. There is no lift in the showrooms - the Great Hall is the only area of the house accessible to wheelchair users.
- Powered mobility vehicle available
The powered mobility vehicle can be booked for use at Knole, subject to availability. Please call 01732 462100, Monday to Friday, at least 24 hours in advance to book.
- Ramped access/slopes
The Brewhouse Café, conservation studio building and toilet facilities are accessible by a pathway on a gradient of 1:14 from the car park.
- Seating available
Most of the showrooms have a seat available but there are no seats with arm rests. There are wooden benches situated around the outside courtyards and in the Orangery.
- Virtual tour
The Great Hall is the only area of the house that is accessible to wheelchair users. All other showrooms are upstairs. A rollator is available for use in the upstairs showrooms, which are accessed via the Great Staircase. This has handrails on the left-hand side and wide access. An iPad is available in the Great Hall to view the rooms upstairs.
- Wheelchairs available
Wheelchairs are available for visitors to use, subject to availability.
- By road
- Some sat nav systems will not direct you correctly to Knole using our postcode. Use postcode TN13 1HX and follow directions below. From north and west: leave M25 at exit 5 (A21) and follow signs for Sevenoaks. Turn right at mini-roundabout. Park entrance is in Sevenoaks town centre, left off A225 High Street (opposite St Nicholas Church). From south: Leave A21 at junction signposted Sevenoaks and follow A225 for Sevenoaks. Park entrance is on right after about 2 miles. From east: Follow A25 through Seal. Turn left at traffic lights. Continue ahead and through High Street. Park entrance is on left 300 yards beyond top of the High Street. Be mindful of the local traffic on the busy High Street as you enter and exit.Parking: The car park is reserved for members and paying visitors to Knole. Pre-book admission to guarantee entry. Paying visitors: admission is charged per person in each vehicle. If you only wish to visit the park, the multi-storey car park in Sevenoaks is a short walk into Knole Park. The postcode is TN13 1LW. Parking spaces at Knole are optimised for cars facing forward rather than reversing into the space. Charging points for electric vehicles are available in car parks in Sevenoaks town centre.Sat Nav: Please use postcode TN13 1HX.
- On foot
- There are multiple pedestrian entrances that can be used to access Knole Park. There is a footpath that runs from the main vehicle entrance off of A225 High Street, through the parkland to the main entrance to the house and Visitor Centre. Paths in the park are mainly rough track or grass and are undulating. Please be considerate of other park users and mindful of deer, vehicles and cyclists. One of the main footpaths into the park is Webb's Alley, which can be accessed from Sevenoaks town centre. Please note that parts of Webb's Alley are steep slopes. The walk takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
- By train
- The nearest station is Sevenoaks, which is located on Tubs Hill, TN13 1DP. The station is managed by Southeastern Trains. There are direct services to London, Hastings and Ashford International as well as many other stations. There is cycle parking available at the station. To get to Knole from the station you can walk through Sevenoaks town centre. This takes approximately 30 minutes. The walk from the station to Knole is uphill. Visit www.goodjourney.org.uk to find out more about car free travel to Knole, our current offers and for assistance in planning your journey.
- By bus
- Arriva and Go Coach buses service Sevenoaks, with several routes connecting it to other towns in Kent. 'Sevenoaks School', on A225 High Street, is the nearest bus stop to the main entrance gate of Knole. There is a bus station located in Sevenoaks town centre. It is possible to walk through the parkland to Knole from the bus station. Visit www.goodjourney.org.uk to find out more about car free travel to Knole, our current offers and for assistance in planning your journey.
- Cycling
- Bicycles can access Knole Park through the main entrance off of A225 High Street as well as the many pedestrian entrances. Paths in the park are mainly rough track or grass and are undulating. Please be considerate of other park users and mindful of deer, vehicles and pedestrians. Bicycles are not permitted on the golf course or within the courtyard areas. Cycle racks can be found adjacent to the outdoor picnic area.
Planning your visit
Planning a visit to Knole
Pre-booking is essential at weekends and during school holidays. Find out how to pre-book your visit to Knole as well as how to purchase tickets for tours of Knole’s attic spaces and access to Lord Sackville’s private garden. Book online or call 0344 249 1895.
Upcoming events at Knole
From toddler groups and attic tours to craft workshops and lectures, find details of upcoming events at Knole here.
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
Conserving and preserving history for the future. Open to visitors Wednesday to Saturday.
Visiting Knole with your dog
Knole is a two pawprint rated place, with acres of parkland to enjoy with your dog. Here's what you need to know before you set off.
Flying drones at our places
All aerial activity above our sites is prohibited unless specific permission is granted, according to an existing byelaw.
Map of Knole
Download this map for more information on the courtyards, parking areas and facilities at Knole.
Plans for the future
Plan your group visit to Knole
Pre-booked groups get great benefits including reduced price admission, refreshments for the coach driver, free admission for the group leader and free parking for your coach.
Learning with Knole
Plan an educational visit to Knole for an award-winning programme that supports learning across the history, science, art, music and geography curriculum. We offer educational visits throughout the academic year, and also offer a loan box and outreach programme.
Highlights
Show rooms
Archbishop's palace, royal residence, and Sackville family home. Showcasing textiles, paintings and a world class collection of Royal Stuart furniture.
Gatehouse Tower
Spiral stairs leading to the private apartments of former resident, Eddy Sackville-West. Panoramic views from the tower rooftop.
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
Conservation Studio housed in the magnificent medieval barn. View the collections store and working studio for conservation in action. Open to visitors Wednesday to Saturday.
Parkland
Kent's last medieval deer park with meandering walks and bustling wildlife. Managed alongside the Sackville family's Knole Estate.
Spotlight events
Lord Sackville's private garden open days 2026
Garden Open Days for 2026 are now available to book. Visitors can explore the 26 acre garden and stunning views of the house on these special event days throughout the year.
The changing faces of Knole: An archaeology walk
Join a guided walk and discover the stories that archaeology can reveal about the history of the parkland at Knole.
Attic Tours | Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays
Join a behind the scenes tour to explore these spaces and see a different side to Knole.
Things to see and do
Family-friendly visits to Knole
There are plenty of things for families to enjoy on a visit to Knole.
Explore the park at Knole
The parkland at Knole is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), covering 1,000 acres of trees, undulating valleys, open parkland and is home to a herd of wild deer.
Explore the showrooms at Knole
Knole was built to impress. Come and explore the grandeur of its showrooms, the hidden secrets of the attics and the rooms Eddy Sackville-West called home in the Gatehouse Tower.
Eating and shopping at Knole
Browse the latest seasonal ranges and pick up something to brighten up your home and bookshelves at Knole. Pop into the Brewhouse Café for drinks, savoury snacks and sweet treats.
Knole Estate and park walks map
Take a look at the map of Knole estate and walks in the parkland.
Outdoor activities
Explore the park at Knole
The parkland at Knole is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), covering 1,000 acres of trees, undulating valleys, open parkland and is home to a herd of wild deer.
Visiting Knole with your dog
Knole is a two pawprint rated place, with acres of parkland to enjoy with your dog. Here's what you need to know before you set off.
Wild deer herd at Knole
Knole’s parkland is home to a herd of fallow deer and it’s important to us that everyone has the best experience possible, so here are some dos and don’ts.
Knole Estate and park walks map
Take a look at the map of Knole estate and walks in the parkland.
Upcoming events
Attic tours
Hidden above the showrooms lie Knole's attics. Join a behind the scenes tour to explore these spaces and see a different side to Knole.
Toddler Mondays at Knole
Have you got a little one under 5? Then come along for a fun morning at Knole with babyccino coffee mornings and storytime in the bookshop.
Volunteer Coffee Morning
Are you interested in volunteering at Knole? Join us at a volunteer coffee morning to find out more.
Book Club at Knole
Join fellow book enthusiasts and discuss this year's theme of 'from page to screen' with a selection of titles that have been adapted for the big and small screen.
Knole Fawns baby and toddler group
Spend time playing, being creative and making new friends at Knole Fawns baby and toddler group.
National Lottery Open Week at Knole
We are taking part in the National Lottery Open Week from Saturday 7th until Saturday 14th March 2026.
Easter egg hunt at Knole
This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Knole on an Easter trail.
Lord Sackville's private garden open days 2026
Visitors can explore the 26 acre garden and stunning views of the house on these special event days throughout the year.
About Knole
Please pre-book to visit Knole.
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Sitting proudly within Kent’s last medieval deer park, Knole offers something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the vast estate and follow in the footsteps of tourists who have visited Knole’s showrooms for 400 years. Originally built as an archbishop’s palace, Knole passed through royalty to the Sackville family, who still live here today. Take in the scale and magnificence of this 600 year old estate by exploring the grand courtyards and tranquil Orangery or wander the winding paths in the parkland, still populated by wild deer.
Inside the showrooms art lovers will find Reynolds, Gainsborough and Van Dyck to admire. Textiles enthusiasts can marvel at the seventeenth century tapestries and furniture that make the collection internationally significant. You can explore the life and loves of former resident Eddy Sackville-West in the Gatehouse Tower and climb the spiral staircase to take in panoramic views from the rooftop.
Visitors can find out how our team of conservators care for National Trust treasures in the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio and see them in action from Wednesday to Saturday.
Support us
Volunteer at Knole
Find out more about volunteering at Knole, Kent, from meeting and helping visitors, to opportunities for study and regular social events and outings. We're currently looking for room guides for the showrooms and Gatehouse Tower.
Eating and shopping at Knole
Browse the latest seasonal ranges and pick up something to brighten up your home and bookshelves at Knole. Pop into the Brewhouse Café for drinks, savoury snacks and sweet treats.
History
History of Knole
Knole is full of treasures and was designed to impress its visitors. Originally an archbishop’s palace, then Royal residence, now home to the Sackville family for over 400 years.
The Gatehouse Tower at Knole
Discover more about former resident Eddy Sackville-West, who made his home in the Gatehouse Tower at Knole.
The Orlando manuscript at Knole
Virginia Woolf's 'Orlando' was inspired by Vita Sackville-West and Knole. A project to digitise the original manuscript means it is now accessible online.
Exploring LGBTQ history at Knole
Knole has been home to and shaped by people who challenged conventional ideas of gender and sexuality. Discover their stories and the challenges they faced.
Vita Sackville-West and Knole
Discover Vita Sackville-West's connection to Knole; her colourful life and her literary legacy as a poet, novelist, gardener, biographer and journalist.
The women of Knole
Women weave a fascinating and rich thread throughout Knole's history. Often wealthy and powerful in their own right, they left their mark on Knole, a legacy that remains today.
Discover Knole's hidden attic spaces
Hidden above the grandeur of the showrooms lie Knole's attics - sometimes inhabited but more often used for storage, these spaces have evolved over the centuries with each generation. Find out more about the history of the spaces as well as witchmarks and unusual items that have been discovered.
Witchmarks at Knole and the Gunpowder Plot
A series of witchmarks, believed to ward off evil spirits, were discovered in a room built to accommodate James I at Knole following the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.
Art and collections
The collection at Knole
Explore Knole's showrooms to see one of the rarest and most well-preserved collections of Royal Stuart furniture, paintings, objects and textiles – on show since 1605.
The Orlando manuscript at Knole
Virginia Woolf's 'Orlando' was inspired by Vita Sackville-West and Knole. A project to digitise the original manuscript means it is now accessible online.
Knole’s portrait collection
The Knole collection includes more than 300 paintings by 17th and 18th-century masters, many commissioned and collected by Sir John Frederick Sackville, the 3rd Duke of Dorset.
Knole’s furniture collection
Knole is home to some of the last surviving 17th-century furniture from Whitehall and Hampton Court Palaces, among the most expensive status objects of their time.
Creating reproduction 16th and 17th century furniture for Knole
In early 2024 we commissioned Wood Carving London to make reproductions of 16th and 17th century furniture. Find out how the project came together.
Donate to Knole
Your gift will help to conserve and protect the house at Knole for future generations to enjoy.
Our work
Creating reproduction 16th and 17th century furniture for Knole
In early 2024 we commissioned Wood Carving London to make reproductions of 16th and 17th century furniture. Find out how the project came together.
Knole’s inspirational project
Discover more about how the historic buildings and collection have now been conserved for future generations to enjoy and discover how the work was funded.