Sevenoaks
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Sevenoaks is situated in the Kent Downs an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is surrounded by some of the loveliest countryside in South East England, numerous picturesque villages, winding country lanes, vineyards and heritage sites.
The town's name is derived from the Saxon word "Seouenaca", the name given to a small chapel near seven oak trees in Knole Park and not, contrary to local myth, the seven oak trees that lined the boundary of the Vine Cricket Ground until six were destroyed in the Great Storm of 1987. The Vine Cricket Ground was established in 1734 and is one of the oldest in England.
Sevenoaks is home to the National Trust's Knole Park with its stunning 1,000 acre deer park, home to an 800 strong heard of Fallow and Japanese Sika deer. Knole House was established in the 12th Century and is one of the largest private homes in England. The original 15th Century house was enlarged and embellished in 1603 by the 1st Earl of Dorset, one of Queen Elizabeth’s favourites, and has remained unaltered since then. There are thirteen state rooms open to the public in which you can see 17th Century royal Stuart furniture, silver furniture, fabulous tapestries and textiles, and portraits by Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Reynolds.
Nearby Westerham is the location of Chartwell, former home of Sir Winston Churchill, and Squerryes Court, a 17th Century Manor House and the home of the Warde family who have lived there for over 275 years.
But Sevenoaks is not just an historic town; it is a lively place with a modern shopping centre, numerous restaurants, a large leisure centre and a theatre/cinema complex, making it extremely popular with families who enjoy the pleasures of town as well as the countryside. There are many sporting facilities and the district is home to some prestigious golf clubs and equestrian centres.
At Knole Park you will find Knole Park Golf Club open to visitors Monday to Friday. The Wildernesse Golf Club is 1½ miles North of the town and the Nizels Golf & Country Club 3 miles to the South. There are several equestrian centres nearby, including the Bradbourne Riding & Training Centre. You can find more about horse riding locally at Horseweb UK
Three miles North West of Sevenoaks you’ll find Chipstead Sailing Club, a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre, which is located on Longford Lake The lake is a mature former gravel pit covering 70 acres and is fed by the River Darenth. Members of the Holmesdale Angling & Conservation Society use it as one of their waters.
Schools in Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks has excellent local schools achieving high exam grades and university admissions. Sevenoaks School, at the south end of the High Street and whose grounds penetrate into Knole, is the oldest secular school in England. Founded by Sir William Sevenoke in 1432 it is today an independent, co-educational boarding and day school.
Click on the following links to find out more about the facilities at other schools:
Follow this link to find a complete list of Nursery Schools, Middle Schools and Sixth Form Colleges in Kent
Travel
Sevenoaks is located at the junction of two ancient roads heading south from London and Dartford to the Weald. In 1710 part of one of the roads - from Sevenoaks through Tonbridge and Pembury (links: internally) Tunbridge Wells - was the first in Kent to become a toll road. Today, the town is by-passed by the A21 and connected to the M25 London Orbital motorway at Junction 5.
By Rail – Sevenoaks Station is on the mainline rail service from Charing Cross to Hastings. There are also frequent trains to Cannon Street and London Bridge with journey times of around 30 minutes. Services take approximately 50 minutes to Charing Cross or Cannon Street. There are also connecting services to Gatwick Airport and Ashford International station for Eurostar services.
By Air - Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport and Stansted Airport are all within easy reach of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Gatwick is 40 minutes away by car or taxi, Heathrow and Stansted 60 minutes.
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You can find further information about the area by following these links: Golf, Hunting, Fishing & Shooting, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.