aventuro Back to map A
Museums #2 in Sevenoaks

National Trust - Knole

4.7 · 5,558 reviews
Quiet, historic, and scholarly.
National Trust - Knole, Knole House, Sevenoaks TN15 0RP, United Kingdom
Interesting facts
1

The house is designed on a calendar plan, theoretically featuring 365 rooms, 52 staircases, and 7 courtyards.

2

It houses the Knole Settee, a famous style of 17th-century furniture characterized by drop-end arms.

3

The deer park surrounding the house has been continuously inhabited by wild fallow deer since the mid-15th century.

4

The estate was the birthplace and primary residence of the writer Vita Sackville-West, who was deeply inspired by the house.

5

Knole contains one of the most important collections of 17th-century royal silver furniture in the United Kingdom.

6

The Great Hall features a rare 16th-century screen that is one of the few surviving examples of its kind.

7

Much of the interior remains largely unaltered since the early 17th century, preserving rare Jacobean woodwork.

Overview

Knole is a sprawling, 600-year-old estate located within a 1,000-acre medieval deer park, making it one of the largest houses in England. The structure was originally built as an archbishop's palace in the 15th century and later expanded into a massive residence for the Sackville family. It is famously designed around a calendar system, featuring 365 rooms, 52 staircases, and 7 courtyards. The house contains an exceptional collection of 17th-century Stuart furniture, including the rare Knole Settee. Its interiors showcase a vast array of portraits and royal treasures preserved from the Jacobean era. The surrounding parkland remains one of the last remaining medieval deer parks in England, with wild fallow deer roaming the grounds. Significant conservation efforts are ongoing to maintain the historic structure and its extensive art collection.

Photo spot

The stone courtyard entrance providing a symmetrical view of the historic gatehouse.

Insider tips

Visit the rooftop tower for panoramic views of the estate and the surrounding Kent countryside.

Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking through the extensive, uneven terrain of the medieval deer park.

Check the National Trust website before arrival as access to certain wings may be restricted due to ongoing conservation work.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to feed or approach the wild deer, as they can be unpredictable.

Good to know

The show rooms are typically closed on certain weekdays during the winter season; the park remains open year-round.

Etiquette

Photography is generally permitted without flash in show rooms; keep a respectful distance from the wild deer in the park.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
3-4 hours
Best time to visit
Early morning in autumn to avoid crowds and see the deer in the mist-covered parkland.
Address
National Trust - Knole, Knole House, Sevenoaks TN15 0RP, United Kingdom
51.266, 0.206
Get directions
Details
Key exhibits17th-century royal silver furniture, the Knole Settee, and a collection of Stuart-era paintings.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 3-4 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Early morning in autumn to avoid crowds and see the deer in the mist-covered parkland..

The stone courtyard entrance providing a symmetrical view of the historic gatehouse.

Close by you'll find The Stag Sevenoaks, National Trust - Ightham Mote, Bradbourne Lakes.