On Saturday 20th June, the group are planning to visit Knole House and, weather permitting, to enjoy a picnic in the beautiful parkland. Come and join us!
Knole House one of the largest houses in Britain, is set in a 1000 acre parkland. It was first inhabited in the early C15 century but the oldest parts of the current structure were built by Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, between 1456 and 1486. National Trust who own the building believe the current house may have been a calendar house which had 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and 7 courtyards, but while the number of rooms is approximately correct the number of staircases is now much lower.
In the recent past it was the home of the Sackville-West family, including writer Vita Sackville-West. her Knole and the Sackvilles, published in 1922, is regarded as a literary classic; her friend and lover Virginia Woolf wrote the novel Orlando drawing on the history of the house and Sackville-West’s ancestors. For further information about the house and grounds take a look at the National Trust website.
Timing
Arrive at Knole House (Sevenoaks) around 11.15 – 11.30am.
Transport
There are many trains to Sevenoaks from stations in SE London. For example, there is a train departing 10.03am from Catford arriving Sevenoaks 10.43am. We will collect at the station around 10.45am – please let us know if you are planning to take a train which gets you to the station much after this time.
Our Chair, Sam, will be getting the Catford train and walking from the station. His contact number is 07711 132023.
There is a 30 min walk from the station to the house, mostly through lovely parkland! You can also take a taxi from the station.
Alternatively you may wish to drive. More details about location are available on the National Trust website. There is a car park, free to NT members or £4
If you are driving and can offer lifts to other members who may live near you, please let us know.
The visit
We hope to book a ‘highlights’ tour for part of the visit (more details to follow) and intend to have picnic lunch.
Prices for general admission are £10.80 or £12 with giftaid. There are family tickets available as well – more details on the National Trust website.
