Kent Tourist Guide - Articles
Sevenoaks Seouenaca
Set in the centre of beautiful countryside, vineyards, old market towns and scenic villages including Dutton Green, Farningham and Shoreham, Sevenoaks is truly a town worth living in and visiting. Just 35 minutes from the centre of London by rail, Sevenoaks hosts an effervescent and thriving community, with plenty for visitors to explore and investigate, within the town and the surrounding areas.
The history of Sevenoaks is an interesting and vibrant one, with its neighbouring village of Otford being named in the Doomsday Book.
The name "Sevenoaks" originated from the Saxon word 'Seouenaca', a name given in about 800 A.D. to a small chapel near seven oaks in Knole Park. Sevenoaks was historically part of the Great Manor of Otford, held by the Archbishops of Canterbury.
Sevenoaks started up as a bustling market venue in about the 13th Century, an area where the two main roads from London and Dartford travelling towards the coast met, and it still remains a thriving market town today. One of the oldest cricket grounds in the country, The Vine, can be found to the north of the town and is well worth a visit.
There is a mismatched assortment of buildings that can be seen within Sevenoaks that denote is colourful historic past, the rows of 18th and 19th century cottages, the Old Vicarage and St Nicholas church are just some of the fine examples that can be found. The old market house and The Shambles are interesting buildings to discover, found on either side of Bank Street and Dorset Street, they are medieval examples of slaughterhouses and booths of the local butchers used a the time.
Amongst all this fantastic history is a fine assortment of modern restaurants and shops just waiting to be explored!
The nearby estate of Knole to the east of Sevenoaks is one of the many fascinating properties to be found nearby that add to the fascinating history of this area. Knole was the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1456 who build the impressive house that can be seen there today, the house then fell into the royal hands of Henry VII and passed on to Elizabeth I. Boasting an impressive 365 rooms (one for every day of the year) and 52 staircases (one a week) Knole still remains as one of the largest private houses in England today.
The family home of Winston Churchill is situated not far away from Sevenoaks. Chartwell hosts a wealth of memorabilia from the 20th Century and of the life of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister.
Not to far away, Leeds Castle is said to be one of the finest example of castles that England has to offer. Surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens, Leeds Castle offers a fantastic full day out for all the family.
Hever Castle is well worth a visit, the ancestral home of Anne Boleyn is a beautiful example of British history, where one feels as they have stepped back in time to the court of Henry VIII. It surrounding countryside, exquisite grounds and fascinating attractions make visitors return year after year. I truly recommend this as one of Kent’s finest places of interest.
And if the history of houses is your cup of tea please don't miss Ightham Mote, a fascinating medieval hall house in nearby Ightham.
Ightham Mote
Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks Summer Festival
Tourist Information
Accommodation around Sevenoaks
The history of Sevenoaks is an interesting and vibrant one, with its neighbouring village of Otford being named in the Doomsday Book.
The name "Sevenoaks" originated from the Saxon word 'Seouenaca', a name given in about 800 A.D. to a small chapel near seven oaks in Knole Park. Sevenoaks was historically part of the Great Manor of Otford, held by the Archbishops of Canterbury.
Sevenoaks started up as a bustling market venue in about the 13th Century, an area where the two main roads from London and Dartford travelling towards the coast met, and it still remains a thriving market town today. One of the oldest cricket grounds in the country, The Vine, can be found to the north of the town and is well worth a visit.
There is a mismatched assortment of buildings that can be seen within Sevenoaks that denote is colourful historic past, the rows of 18th and 19th century cottages, the Old Vicarage and St Nicholas church are just some of the fine examples that can be found. The old market house and The Shambles are interesting buildings to discover, found on either side of Bank Street and Dorset Street, they are medieval examples of slaughterhouses and booths of the local butchers used a the time.
Amongst all this fantastic history is a fine assortment of modern restaurants and shops just waiting to be explored!
The nearby estate of Knole to the east of Sevenoaks is one of the many fascinating properties to be found nearby that add to the fascinating history of this area. Knole was the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1456 who build the impressive house that can be seen there today, the house then fell into the royal hands of Henry VII and passed on to Elizabeth I. Boasting an impressive 365 rooms (one for every day of the year) and 52 staircases (one a week) Knole still remains as one of the largest private houses in England today.
The family home of Winston Churchill is situated not far away from Sevenoaks. Chartwell hosts a wealth of memorabilia from the 20th Century and of the life of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister.
Not to far away, Leeds Castle is said to be one of the finest example of castles that England has to offer. Surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens, Leeds Castle offers a fantastic full day out for all the family.
Hever Castle is well worth a visit, the ancestral home of Anne Boleyn is a beautiful example of British history, where one feels as they have stepped back in time to the court of Henry VIII. It surrounding countryside, exquisite grounds and fascinating attractions make visitors return year after year. I truly recommend this as one of Kent’s finest places of interest.
And if the history of houses is your cup of tea please don't miss Ightham Mote, a fascinating medieval hall house in nearby Ightham.
Ightham Mote
Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks Summer Festival
Tourist Information
Accommodation around Sevenoaks
