7 Things to do in Sevenoaks, Kent
WRITTEN BY A LOCAL
We decided to come up with our top 7 suggestions of things to do in Sevenoaks after the 7 oak trees which the town was known for.
Sevenoaks is a town in the county of Kent, which is in the southeast of England. We’ve both grown up in Kent our whole lives and we think it’s full of great towns for a good day out. The county is full of historic buildings, beautiful national trust grounds and hidden gems. So we want to start writing more about the area we live in, not just the various countries we travel to. So this article is the start of a new series!
We lived in Sevenoaks for about 1 year and really loved it. The town is home to one of our favourite places in the south-east so we really wanted to write an article about it!
So let’s get started with our top things to do in Sevenoaks.
Admire the deer at Knole Park and visit Knole House
Knole Park is a 1000 acre site that boasts a huge family of deer. Sitting proudly in the middle is Knole House. Dating back to the mid 15th century and a former Archbishops Palace, it’s in the top 5 of England’s largest houses.
The park has over 350 free-roaming Fallow and Sika Deer. This wild deer herd makes Knole a wildlife photographer’s heaven.
Knole Park is by far our favourite place to visit in Sevenoaks. We lived within walking distance so we came here weekly and it’s such a spectacular place to visit. Go jogging early morning when the sun starts to rise, go for a walk in autumn when the trees start to turn, or go for a picnic surrounded by deer in the summer. Whatever time of day or year it is, it’s a magical place to visit.
Carpark is £5
Entry to the park, courtyards, book shop, cafe and conservation studio is free.
Entrance to the house including the Gate House, Gate House Tower and Great Hall is £10 for Adults, £5 for children and £25 for a family.
Carpark is £5
Admission for National Trust members is free
For more information about Knole, read our article, “HOW TO VISIT KNOLE PARK, KENT | FROM A LOCAL”. This article tells you why, when and how you should visit,
2. Fuel your love of lavender
Take a visit to the Kent Hop Shop at the family-run Castle farm. This farm is the biggest producer of lavender in the country. Book a tour of the farm, have a lavender picnic at sunset, or even become one with nature and have a lavender Aromatherapy Massage in the fields.
Head to their shop where you’ll find anything and everything lavender. From lavender ice cream, essential oils, and food hampers to candles, chutneys, and loose tea.
If you’ve missed out on the lavender then visit for pumpkin season or PYO at their apple orchard.
The Hop shop is open all year round but lavender season is from late June until late July. Tours are every day from £7.50 per adult. Weekday tours have to be booked online but weekend tours can be booked on arrival.
3. Try local goods at the market
Every Wednesday and Saturday Sevenoaks holds a market filled with local produce. We love to visit for a fresh loaf of bread and the amazing stand packed with every variety of olive you can think of.
Wednesday market - Buckhurst Car Park, 8am-2pm
Saturday Markets - High Street and Bligh's Meadow Shopping Centre, 9am-4pm
4. Eat cake
I was excited when we were moving to Sevenoaks and Eat ‘n’ Mess was the reason! This cafe is known for its specialty coffee, all-day brunch, and bespoke cakes. They specialise in gluten and dairy-free cakes, which are freshly made and simply delicious. Now we come to the town of Sevenoaks just for a slice of cake and hot chocolate.
UPDATE: Eat ’n’ Mess has now moved and is located just under a 10-minute drive from the town center in the Chevening countryside. Now exclusively based on the premises where they create their gluten-free goodies, they have a lovely outdoor seating area and pod with fresh cakes and lunch options. On Saturdays, they also showcase local businesses and producers.
Our other favourite is Life on High. This relatively new cafe on the High Street specialises in coffee and is pro-plant-based. We are a definite fan of their fancy cheesecakes and coffee!
5. Discover Ightham Mote
Ightham Mote is a medieval moated manor house situated in Kent. This 700-year-old house was owned by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII, and high society Victorians. It’s now owned by the National Trust and opens for the public to visit. Take a guided tour of the grounds and explore the picturesque courtyard and gardens.
Tickets - Adult £11, Children £5.50, Family £27.50
Admission for National Trust members is free
6. Visit a garden
If you’re a lover of gardens then we’d recommend a visit to either Emmetts Garden or the Riverhill Himalayan Gardens.
The Riverhill Himalayan Gardens have over 12 acres of historic gardens to explore, with multiple different styled gardens to visit. Our personal favourite is the Rose Garden and the Walled Garden. They have a garden for every season so all year round you can admire the beauty they’ve created.
Emmetts Garden is a National Trust owned Edwardian estate, covering over 6 acres of land. The gardens contain exotic and rare species from all over the world and offer a panoramic view as it’s one of the highest points in Kent county.
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens tickets - Adult £12, Children £7.50, Family £35
Emmetts Garden Tickets - Adult £13, Children £6.30, Family £32.50. Or admission for National Trust members is free.
7. Visit Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
For a relaxing afternoon take a visit to the Wildlife Reserve. There are a number of different woodland walks to take around the reserve, surrounded by 5 peaceful lakes and 7 bird hides for wildlife lovers.
Along with elemental gardens and specially-built habitats to encourage wildlife, if you’re into wildlife and nature then this is a great spot to visit.
Entrance - free
TRAVEL
BY TRAIN
If you’re travelling to Sevenoaks from London it’s an easy 25-minute journey by train from London Bridge station.
The Sevenoaks train station is within walking distance of points number 1, 3, 4 and 7.
BY BUS
If you’re visiting Knole Park, they offer a free shuttle bus that runs to and from the train station and Knole on a continuous half-hourly loop. Click here to find out the dates and times this is available.
BY CAR
If you’re arriving by car and visiting the town centre then we’d suggest parking in the Sevenoaks Town Car Park. This is easily accessible to the town and also Knole Park. An all-day ticket costs £5.50. Sundays and bank holidays are free.
