Sevenoaks is around 23 miles from London, and takes thirty minutes by train (unless you catch the slow train which takes double the time as it stops more times). The service is frequent and runs from Charing Cross.
This is a pretty Kent town with a mix of independent and chain stores set around a High Street with little alleyways leading to squares with coffee shops, restaurants and outdoor seating area. Some of the buildings are historic, and I liked the feel of the place. It also boasts a rather fine independent bookshop, which of course I spent time in!
First things first, I found one of the alleyways to indulge in a drink and snack before exploring the rest of the town.
The Shambles reminds me of York, but this is much smaller. Just a courtyard with a cafe and outdoor seating.
Off the High Street there is a footpath leading to Knole Park and House. I was at the house back in October as part of a special interest trip visiting places associated with The Bloomsbury Group, but we didn’t have time to visit the park or the orangery. Now there was more time and it was quieter. The estate is owned by the Sackville-West’s, now overseen by the National Trust. The park is beautiful and there are many deer roaming.
I posted a lot of photos of Knole House back in October, so here I will concentrate on places I was unable to visit before (please look at previous post if you want to see house photos)
Sevenoaks is certainly a lovely town to spend time in. I hadn’t planned to go to the park and house, but I had more time than I realised, so when I saw the footpath, I thought why not? It was a long day, however, the walk back to the station was all downhill (it’s quite a drudge into town!). The more I explore Kent the more I fall in love with the county.
My London+ 