Family-friendly visits to Knole

Planning your visit

How to get here

Pre-booking is essential if you wish to use the National Trust car park during your visit to Knole at weekends and during school holidays.

The car park is for National Trust members and paying visitors who wish to visit the National Trust element of Knole, and therefore admission is charged per person at the Gatebox. If you just wish to use the parkland then alternative parking is available in Sevenoaks town. Pre-book online or call 0344 249 1895.

Please use postcode TN13 1HX to get to the main entrance to Knole by car.

Family facilities

• Toilets are located in Green Court and in Conservation Studio building near to Brewhouse Cafe. There are baby changing facilities in both of these locations also. 
• There is an enclosed picnic area near the car park.
• There are lifts available in the bookshop, gift shop and Conservation Studio building. There is step-free access to the Visitor Centre, Brewhouse Cafe and toilets.
• Pushchairs and buggies are not permitted in the showrooms or Gatehouse Tower.
• There are lockers available for storing large bags. Please ask in the Visitor Centre.
• Dogs are allowed in the courtyard but not in the indoor spaces, including the showrooms, Orangery, café and shops. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the property. Dogs must be on a lead at all times, including in the parkland.
• There are some hard-standing paths in the parkland, but the rest of the park is rough and uneven ground and can get muddy in wet weather. If walking in the park please keep away from the deer, especially if you have children with you.  
• 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, call in to the Visitor Centre to ask for advice.

For more information about access and facilities, Knole's access statement can be found here.

Beatrix Potter in the showrooms | until 2 November

Discover some of Beatrix Potter's characters hidden in the showrooms with a free spotter trail to enjoy as you make your way around. Why not stop for a selfie or play with themed toy boxes along the way? You can also see a selection of original manuscripts, book illustrations and toys from Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s cottage in the Lake District. 

Spotter trail and entry to the showrooms is included with normal admission to Knole (showrooms ticket required). This is free for National Trust members.

October half term at Knole

Beatrix Potter in the showrooms | until 2 November

Discover some of Beatrix Potter's illustrated characters with a free spotter trail around the showrooms. 

Children's watercolour workshop | Tuesday 21 October

Create an adorable woodland animal using mixed media techniques, such as watercolour, charcoal, colour pencils and collage. During the workshop, children will be guided by local artist Suzanne Abraham to explore the materials provided and freely create a painting in their unique style.

All materials are provided including a kit to take home to carry on being creative.

Suitable for children 7-17 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £35 per child.

More information and booking here: Children's watercolour workshop

Explore the historic showrooms and collection

For the last 400 years, the showrooms have been open to visitors rather than inhabited as family rooms. Discover fascinating portraits, textiles, furniture and objects including Stuart-era beds, chairs and tapestries as you make your way from the Great Hall, up a grand painted stiarcase and on into galleries, bedrooms and a ballroom. 

Continue your journey around Knole and climb the spiral stairs in the Gatehouse Tower for panoramic views of the parkland. On the climb up you can discover the life and loves of former resident, Eddy Sackville-West and see some rooms as Eddy would have lived in them in the 1920s and 1930s. 

The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio

The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11am. This is a great opportunity to see the team of expert conservators working on precious and historic items. There are also interactive displays giving you the chance to explore the materials, tools and techniques used in conservation work. When the studio is open, volunteers are on-hand to answer questions and share stories about objects being conserved.

The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio

Take a stroll around Knole Park

After a visit to Knole House, why not take a stroll around the park? There are hard standing paths and walking routes of different lengths you can follow - pick up a map from the Visitor Centre or look for the boards situated on the National Trust managed areas of the parkland. You can also download a map here.

Enjoy watching the deer from a distance but please do not approach, pet or feed them. Be aware of golfers as some paths do cross the golf course. Please also be aware that the park becomes muddy after rain.

Eating and shopping

The Brewhouse Café

Take a walk to the Brewhouse Café for lunch or a snack, and choose from a delicious selection of drinks and cakes. There is covered seating available both inside or outside, or enjoy views of Knole Park from the terrace. Highchairs are available on a first-come first-served basis. 

Picnics

Knole is a great spot for a picnic. We strongly advise you to use the enclosed picnic area. It has tables, benches and chairs, plus a ramp so it's wheelchair accessible. Please don't feed the deer.
There are rubbish bins in the picnic area or take rubbish home with you - don't leave it for the deer and other wildlife in the park.
Picnics are fine, but no barbecues please.
Thank you for helping everyone enjoy the beautiful parkland.

Shopping at Knole

In the bookshop you'll find a wide selection of new books on gardening, cooking, history, notable figures from Knole's past, nature and the local area.  Alongside titles on art history, artists and paintings, you'll find books on how to create you own masterpieces as well as inspiration for budding young artists who want to unleash their creativity. There is also a range of art materials, including watercolour paints, charcoal, pencils and sketch pads. For younger visitors, there's a dedicated section just for children to enjoy. From children’s classics, picture books and sticker books to fact and fiction and current bestsellers, there's sure to be something to keep active minds engaged for a few hours. There are also some pocket money toys to choose from, jigsaws and souvenirs.

We also have a gift shop seling home and fashion accessories, sweets, biscuits, jams, curds and more. For the perfect memento of your visit to Knole, there are pens, pencils, notepads, bookmarks, puzzles, boxes of biscuits and guidebooks to choose to take home with you.

Whatever you buy, every purchase is helping to conserve Knole and help us carry out essential work to preserve the collection.