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Knole
Take 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)
Book a visit
Important notice
We are expecting to be busy this weekend. Pre-book admission (including National Trust members) to guarantee entry. Non-members: admission charged per person. There's alternative parking in Sevenoaks town (TN13 1LW). Please keep away from the deer.
Opening times for 19 April 2025
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 showrooms and Gatehouse Tower is 3.30pm. From 22 May to 25 August 2025 last entry to the Gatehouse Tower is 4.30pm (showrooms remain 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 (last entry 3.30pm).
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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 1 adult and up to 3 children £9.00 Showrooms, Outdoor & Tower (showrooms open 17 Feb)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £18.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £45.00 Group (Adult 18+) £17.10 Group (Child 5-17) £8.55 1 adult and up to 3 children £27.00 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 (10am-5pm from Monday 17 February 2025). Last orders is 30 minutes before closing.
Café - more information- Car park
- Dogs allowed
Dogs are allowed in the courtyard but not in the indoor spaces, including the showrooms and shops. 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 in the gift shop and the bookshop for wheelchair access to and from the Orangery. There is lift access to The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio and Hayloft Learning Centre. 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
Article
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.
Place
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
Conserving and preserving our history for the future.
Activity
Everyone welcome at Knole
Find out how we can support a visit to Knole for those with additional needs.
Article
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.
Article
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.
PDF
PDF
Map of Knole
Download this map for more information on the courtyards, parking areas and facilities at Knole.
PDF
PDF
Knole Estate and park walks map
Take a look at the map of Knole estate and walks in the parkland.
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.
Parkland
Kent's last medieval deer park with meandering walks and bustling wildlife. Managed alongside the Sackville family's Knole Estate.
Spotlight events
Easter Adventures at Knole | until Mon 21 April
Highlights include a Gatehouse Tower maze, butterfly spotting, tin can alley and nature's musical instruments.
Bird Walk at Knole | Thu 1 May
Join a guided walk around Knole and learn about the different birds that can live in the park and learn about their habits, alongside general information about the parkland.
Things to see and do
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Family-friendly visits to Knole
There are plenty of things for families to enjoy on a visit to Knole.
Article
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.
Article
The Gatehouse Tower at Knole
Take a tour of the Gatehouse Tower, including climbing the spiral staircase to Eddy Sackville-West’s rooms and for panoramic views over the medieval parkland.
Article
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.
Article
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.
Outdoor activities
Article
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.
Article
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.
Article
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.
Upcoming events
Event
Easter egg hunt at Knole
This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Knole on an Easter trail.
Event
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.
Event
Book club at Knole
Be a part of the book club here at Knole, where you can explore books and discuss them with others in a place rich with literary history.
Event
Knole Fawns baby and toddler group
Spend time playing, being creative and making new friends at Knole Fawns baby and toddler group.
Event
Volunteer Coffee Morning
Are you interested in volunteering at Knole? Join us at a volunteer coffee morning to find out more.
Event
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.
Event
Bird Walk at Knole
Join this guided walk around Knole and learn about the different birds that can live in the park and learn about their habits, alongside general information about the parkland.
Event
Forget-me-not Café at Knole
Forget-me-not Café is run by Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community and offers support and companionship to those living with memory loss.
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
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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 facilities, retail and visitor welcome volunteers, as well as room guides.
Article
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
Article
A brief 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.
Article
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.
Article
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.
Article
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
Article
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.
Article
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.
Article
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.
Our work
Project
Project
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.