Explore the park at Knole

An aerial view of the estate at Knole with the house sat at the centre surrounded by parkland and trees — An aerial view of the estate at Knole in Kent | © National Trust Images/Mike Calnan/Chris Lacey

Covering 1,000 acres of trees, woodland, valleys and parkland, Knole Park is a tranquil haven of wildlife in the middle of Sevenoaks. Pick a walking route to follow as you explore the veteran trees and hunt for wildlife in this Site of Special Scientific Interest. Look out for the volunteer deer rangers when you’re out and about; they’re full of interesting facts.

The origins of the park

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Bourchier, acquired Knole in 1456 and turned an old hunting lodge into a grand palace alongside establishing the deer park. Parts of his palace are still visible today and the deer have remained at Knole ever since.

Tree-lined avenues cross the park and provide today’s grand walkways. Dendrochronology has shown that the oldest trees in the park date to the early 1700s, and some of these veterans can be found in Chestnut Walk, Broad Walk and Duchess Walk. The golf course was laid out in 1923.

The deer at Knole

A visit to the park wouldn't be complete without a sighting of some of Knole’s famous fallow deer.

These wild animals might well be inquisitive and appear tame but please don’t encourage them to approach you or interact with them. They can be aggressive, carry ticks and diseases and are best observed from a safe distance.

Feeding them makes them more likely to attack. They get all the natural food they need from the park, supplemented by the Deer Keeper when needed.

Management of the herd

The Sackville family's Knole Estate owns and manages the vast majority of Knole Park as well as the wild deer herd in the parkland. The National Trust owns and looks after the parkland from the front of the house up to the main entrance.

A family of four enjoying a walk through a wooded area on the parkland at Knole in kent — Enjoy a family walk at Knole in Kent | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Walks around Knole Park

There are many areas of Knole Park to explore, from its wooded uplands, dry river valleys, tree-lined avenues and majestic Gallops to far-flung corners of secluded woodland.

If you’re not sure where to start exploring or don’t know Knole Park very well, why not try one of the suggested walking routes? These colour coded routes start from the front of the house and range from 4-5km each. They are sign-posted and take 50-75 minutes to complete. They are mainly across rough, undulating ground, so not suited to those with mobility issues. The red walk is best suited for visitors with sturdy pushchairs. These routes have been agreed with the park’s landowner, Knole Estate, and follow routes safely away from the golf course. For those looking for a route on hard-standing paths in the park, there are a few options but many of these cross the golf course so please take care if using them.

Take a look at the maps displayed outside the Brewhouse Café and by the picnic area before you set off to choose a path that suits you. Alternatively, you can download a map here or call in to the visitor centre to ask for advice.

Members of the public are also able to explore access routes through land owned by the Sackville family’s Knole Estate beyond the boundary of Knole Park. There are footpaths, bridleways and common land through woodland stretching out towards Godden Green and Stone Street.

Cycling at Knole

If you choose to cycle here please take care around other visitors, vehicles, horses and wildlife that also use the paths and tracks. Some of the pathways also cross the golf course, so please keep your bike on the paths in this area. If you’re in need of refreshments, there is a cycle rack by the picnic area, close to the Brewhouse Café.

Filming, photography and drones

Commercial filming and photography is not permitted in the parkland, however, photography and filming for personal use is allowed. Remember to keep a safe distance from the wild deer herd and do not disturb them. Do share your photos with us on social media! @ntknole
The National Trust does not permit the flying of drones over its land. Knole Estate also does not allow drones to be flown over their land, therefore the use of drones is not permitted anywhere within Knole Park.

Thank you for your co-operation. If you have any enquiries regarding filming, photography and drone use, please email knole@nationaltrust.org.uk

A cluster of deep purple amethyst deceiver fungi emerging from some fallen leaves at Sherringham Park in Norfolk — Amethyst deceiver fungi | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman

A Site of Special Scientific Interest

Knole Park is a thriving habitat for the diverse wildlife that life here, and is a designated SSSI. Across the park there’s acidic grassland, parkland, woodland and ponds, each home to a range of flora and fungi, as well as a variety of rare invertebrates.

In October 1987 the Great Storm tore through Kent and Knole’s landscape fundamentally changed overnight. Most of the trees that fell were left as deadwood, which has had significant benefits for fungi, plants and wildlife over the following years, as well as the trees that grew to replace them. You can still see remnants of the devastation in areas of the park today.

The trees of Knole park

In the park you can see many horse chestnut, sweet chestnut, English oak, hawthorn and beech trees among other more unusual finds such as red oak and yew. Many of these are very old, known as veteran trees, and it is these that provide excellent habitats for Knole’s wildlife, lichen and fungi.

Lots of work is carried out to protect these veteran trees as they eventually become the next source of deadwood, which is essential in helping the wildlife at Knole to continue to thrive.

Wildlife spotting in the park

Ants

Across the acidic grassland of the park there are areas covered with hundreds of ant hills. These were made by the intrepid yellow meadow ant with each hill containing between 8,000 and 14,000 ants. This species of ant has been a resident at Knole for centuries and these ‘ant villages’ are park institutions. Keep an eye out for green woodpeckers feeding on the hills.

Beetles

Knole is home to numerous invertebrate species, but it is the deadwood beetles, or saproxylic beetles, that form a large part of why Knole was granted SSSI status.

Minibeast hunters can pass many hours at Knole looking under logs and bark to see the life teaming just under the surface, but what may surprise some is that many species are rare for Kent but not the UK. This is because Knole has a cooler climate than the rest of south-east England leading to species more common in the north-west England making their home here.

Fungi

Nationally scarce species of fungi can be found living on and under trees and growing on deadwood. As well as providing interesting autumn colour and food, the fungi is essential in the process of rotting down deadwood.

The excellent examples of lichen found on veteran trees around the park and on old walls indicate good air quality and a good variety of species and age of the trees. From the amethyst deceiver and beefsteak fungus to the saffrondrop bonnets and fairy fingers, there are hundreds of fungi to discover.

Bats

Across the park and buildings at Knole, you can find many of the UK’s bat species as they use the site to nest, feed and commute. As the park has no lighting, shortly after dusk on a bright summer’s evening it can be easy to spot them darting about looking for insects to eat over the long grass and among the treetops.

While Knole is host to at least nine of the 17 species of bat found in the UK, you will most likely see the soprano pipistrelle, and common pipistrelle, which will eat up to 3,000 tiny insects in one night.