Local Attractions

Sevenoaks is fortunate to be surrounded by a large number of Historic Houses, many owned by the National Trust. Adjacent to the town itself is Knole House, home of the Sackville family and birthplace of Vita Sackville West. Those interested in her life can also visit Sissinghurst Castle, and explore the lovely gardens she created there. Kent is, of course, the "Garden of England" and for enthusiasts there are also the gardens at Emetts, Great Comp and Pashley Manor. Winston Churchill's house, Chartwell, is open to the public, as is the vast Penshurst Place, home of Viscount De L'Isle. Close by is Chiddingstone Castle and also that superb example of a medieval fortified yeoman's house, Ightham Mote. The unfortunate Anne Boleyn, who lost her head to King Henry VIII, grew up at Hever Castle, and in addition, competing with each other for sheer loveliness, are the castles of Leeds and Scotney, each surrounded by a lake. There's much more, but one shouldn't forget Finchcocks, a grand Georgian manor house in its own right, but also renowned for its museum of keyboard musical instruments.

We find also that many visitors to London choose to stay here in Sevenoaks and take the train up to the capital. This makes for a more comfortable and relaxed holiday. Charing Cross, right in the centre of London, is just over half an hour by the fast train service that leaves around four times an hour. For travel after 9:30 am, the one-day TravelCard is available, which can be used an unlimited number of times on London's buses and the Underground, in addition to providing the return rail journey from Sevenoaks. This offers a considerable saving over the standard fare.

For those who prefer not to venture so far, Sevenoaks itself provides much of interest. A market town dating from Saxon times, it was the coming of the railway in 1864 that had the greatest impact on its development, making it very popular with commuters. Nevertheless, despite the obvious effect of this expansion, the centre of the town remains largely as it was, characterised by the warm tones of the Kentish ragstone used in many of its older buildings, and the tile-hung houses that are typical of the area. The recently completed shopping centre, "Blighs", in the centre of Sevenoaks, has been constructed very much in the old style, in keeping with the medieval buildings and picturesque cobbled streets adjacent to it. And if food is the requirement, Sevenoaks has an excellent choice of restaurants and pubs for lunches, snacks and evening meals, with a wide variety of cuisine on offer.

The countryside around is great for walkers, with the North Downs Way passing just to the north, and the Greensand Way just to the south, of the town. Nowhere is far from a village with, naturally, its selection of pubs. Some even stock the locally produced Old Kent Brewery range of real ales. And birdwatchers will find much to interest them just half a mile from our establishment, at the Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve.

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