KNOLE SEVENOAKS
Tel: (01732) 450608
Tour 13 magnificent state rooms in one of the great treasure houses of England - a 'calendar' house dating from the 15th century with 365 rooms, 52 staircases and 7 courtyards. Find the treasures of kings and queens; exquisite silver furniture, fragile tapestries, rare carpets and other unique furniture including the first 'Knole' settee, state beds and even an early royal loo! Henry VIII liked the house so much that he forced the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Crammer, to hand it over to him in 1538. The central gatehouse, with its four corner turrets with battlements, and the rest of this front were almost certainly built by Henry VIII between 1543 and 1548, to provide additional lodgings. In addition to the glories of the house enjoy the extensive deer park throughout the year by courtesy of Lord Sackville. Open: House: 31 Mar to 4 Nov: Wed - Sat, 12-4; Sun, Good Friday & BH Mon 11-5. Booked groups on Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat 12-3. Garden: May to Sept: first Wed in each month, by courtesy of Lord Sackville, 11-4; last admission 3pm.