Sevenoaks achieved overnight worldwide recognition in 1987 when it became ‘Oneoaks’ as a result of the Great Hurricane which swept through Kent. Replacement trees were planted to restore civic pride (pedants amongst us now describe the town as Twentyfouroaks).
The town has plenty more to offer and this is ably told in a ‘walk & talk’ tour of the town lasting 45 minutes or the extended version taking in The Vine cricket ground, arguably the home of the noble game.
The ancient town grew as a safe haven & market town on the edge of the the wild forest of Anderida. Archbishops used Knole House as an ideal resting place on their journeys between Canterbury & London. The last Archbishop to stay at Knole was Cranmer who reluctantly returned it to King Henry VIII who stayed here whilst wooing Anne Boleyn.
For 900 years a ‘peculiar’ of Canterbury, St Nicholas’ church contains features from every Gothic period & is one of the finest parish churches in Kent. More recently known as ‘the church that went under (ground)’, it has a wealth of history.
Sevenoaks is an ideal stop off & leg-stretch for those planing to visit the great Knole House on the outskirts of the town.
Sevenoaks is located just off the M25 at Junction 5, it has a coach park, free public toilets & plenty of coffee shops.
Other stately homes within easy reach are Penshurst Place, Hever Castle, Chiddingstone Castle, Titsey Place, Ightham Mote, Lullingstone Castle & it’s World Garden & Chartwell.
Amanda Hutchinson Blue Badge Guide
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