Walk Details
A wheel-friendly accessible walk around Knole Park, the last mediaeval deer park in Kent.
The whole family can enjoy this National Trust all-ability walk exploring the wildlife of Kent’s only remaining mediaeval deer park at Knole, near Sevenoaks in Kent. Knole is a fascinating house with at least six centuries of history.
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Its intricate links with royalty and its literary connections with Vita Sackville West and Virginia Woolf make this one of England’s most intriguing and beautiful estates. Its surrounding deer park covers a vast 1,000 acres.
Starting from the front of the magnificent Kentish ragstone house, the accessible waymarked route first tracks the garden wall before leading into the park along avenues of mature trees. Look out for Knole’s famous fallow deer – a herd has been here since the 15th century. If you’re lucky you might also spot the more timid sika deer, introduced in the 1890s.
The deer are best seen from a respectful distance, they can move with great strength and speed and their behaviour can be unpredictable.
Knole is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its many different habitats are home to a range of flora and many species of fungi as well as a clutch of rare invertebrates. A single sycamore tree by the entrance to the Brewhouse Café is host to no less than 50 species of lichen. If you fancy a cuppa the Café serves hot and cold food and drinks and there’s also a Grab and Go food outlet in the courtyard.
A mobility scooter is available to pre-book to use in the park. Booking is essential at least 24 hours in advance – contact 01732 462100 for more information.
This walk has been produced with the permission of Lord Sackville.
Nearest Train (or tube) Station(s):
Sevenoaks, London Charing Cross
