A Day Out at Knole Park Sevenoaks with Kids

On Monday we ventured out on a much-needed excursion to Knole Park, near Sevenoaks, for a romp with the famed deer there and to have a gourmet picnic (Adam is king of picnics). We walked the best part of 3 miles with the kids, which was a great way of burning off all the sugar that comes with mainlining Easter eggs all weekend!

If you’ve never been to Knole Deer Park in Sevenoaks with the kids, you’re in for a treat. Imagine a huge medieval deer park where the deer wander right past you, a grand old house that looks straight out of a period drama, and a café that does very good cake. That’s Knole, and it’s one of those places where you can make a full day of it without feeling rushed.

Ironically, we only saw two deer the whole time, but this satisfied Freddie and Sasha, who seemed more interested in a ‘special’ stick that F had found, and the subsequent drawing of ‘train tracks’ in the ground and poking deer poo with it. The latter was hazardous for S, as unfortunately for her (and us), clumps of deer poo look very much like pine cones to the untrained toddler eye, pine cones being a current lust-have collectors item for her.

Is Knole Park National Trust?

Yes, Knole House and parts of the park are looked after by the National Trust, which means National Trust members get free entry to the house, Gatehouse Tower, and on-site parking. The parkland itself is open to the public for free if you enter on foot, but the National Trust manages access to the main car park and the historic buildings.

For those that like their history, it’s worth knowing that the Sackville family still live in private apartments in Knole House, so it’s not just a museum, it’s also a lived-in home, which is pretty cool!

Where is Knole Park?

Knole Park is right in Sevenoaks, Kent, and is about 40 minutes from London by train, or less if you’re lucky with traffic and are driving (which is what we do from South East London). The park itself is absolutely huge (over 1,000 acres!) and is actually a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’, which is fancy talk for “really beautiful and important to nature.”

Here’s a link to the Knole Park map – super handy if you want to plan a walk in advance.

Parking, Opening Times & Tickets (the practical stuff)

Right, the vital bit! Parking at Knole isn’t just a “rock up and hope for the best” situation. If you’re driving, you have to pre-book, and parking is included with your ticket price. There isn’t a “parking only” option, so if you just want to walk in the park without visiting the house or tower, your best bet is to park in Sevenoaks town centre and wander in on foot (the walk is lovely, and free!).

• House Showrooms: 11:00–16:00

• Gatehouse Tower: 11:00–17:00

• Café & Shops: 10:00–17:00

• Park: Dawn until dusk

You can check current prices and book on the National Trust Knole page. If you’re a National Trust member, entry (and parking) is included.

Exploring Knole Park with Kids

This place is perfect if your kids need space to run. There are loads of grassy areas for cartwheels, football, or just lying back and watching clouds drift by.

The big draw though? The deer. They’ve been here for hundreds of years and are completely used to people. You can get quite close (without feeding or touching them, of course), which is magical for little ones, though do remind them to be calm and quiet around the deer.

If you’ve got a buggy, there are plenty of paths that are stroller-friendly, although we ended up slightly off-piste which was hard work. Ideally you’d bring a buggy or pushchair with some decent wheels, just in case, unlike us! The Knole Park stile-free trail is a good option for younger kids or if you just want a gentle stroll rather than a serious yomp.

The History of Knole House

Even if you’re not normally a “house tour” person, Knole is fascinating. It’s huge (one of the largest houses in England) and dates back to the 15th century. There are grand galleries, ancient tapestries and rooms from a time gone by.

Inside the showrooms, there are things that make even younger kids curious, such as creaky staircases, hidden doors and the sheer “wow” of being somewhere so old. You can also climb the Gatehouse Tower for great views (though that’s a bit more “older kids and grown-ups” because of the steep stairs, definitely NOT buggy-friendly!).

Knole Park has some serious film and TV credentials. The most famous? The Beatles filmed their “Strawberry Fields Forever” video here back in 1967. Since then, it’s been in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Other Boleyn Girl, and even BBC’s Hidden Treasures of the National Trust.

The Brewhouse Café & Shops

We took a snack and drinks break at The Brewhouse Café which was really lovely. There are big windows, cosy vibes, and cakes that are to do for! I can’t comment on the main food options as we’d bought a picnic, so just had a drink and a cake, but there appeared to be plenty of child-friendly options, plus high chairs and decent baby-changing facilities. We also popped into the bookshop (because I can’t resist) and the little gift shop for a quick browse, and there were lots of nice bits for kids and grown-ups alike.

Is Knole Park Free?

Yes, if you walk in from Sevenoaks town centre, the park is free to explore. If you want to park on site, or go inside Knole House and the Gatehouse Tower, you’ll need a ticket.

Our Verdict

If you’re after a family day out in Kent that ticks the boxes for history, nature, space to run, and a good café, Knole Park is a winner. It’s somewhere you can visit again and again, in spring for wildflowers, autumn for golden leaves, and even in winter when the deer look extra magical against the frosty grass.

All in all a fantastic day, and well worth a visit if you happen to be anywhere near north-west Kent. After a weekend of being irritated by all and sundry, I definitely needed this,. I’ve seen many (lovely) gushy blog posts about how amazing Easter was and they made me feel pretty crap for feeling so negative. Monday was a great reminder of how wonderful my little family is!

FAQs about Visiting Knole Park with Kids

Is Knole Park buggy-friendly?
Yes, there are stile-free routes perfect for buggies and younger children.

How long does it take to walk around Knole Park?
It really depends on the route you take and how many “deer photo stops” you make along the way! A gentle loop around the main parkland can take about 45 minutes to an hour, which is perfect if you’ve got little legs in tow. If you fancy exploring further, there are longer walks of up to 3 miles that can take 1.5/ 2 hours at an easy pace. The beauty of Knole Park is that you can make your walk as short or as long as you like, as there are plenty of paths, shaded woodland tracks, and open grassy areas to choose from. Just remember the park is over 1,000 acres, so you’ll definitely want comfortable shoes.

Do you have to pay to see the deer?
Nope, they’re in the park all year round and you can spot them for free.

Can you see deer at Knole Park all year round?
Yes, the deer at Knole Park are there all year round, and they’re one of the main reasons people (especially families) love visiting. There are two herds – fallow deer and sika deer – and they’ve roamed the park for hundreds of years. They’re very used to people, so you can often spot them grazing close to the paths or even in front of Knole House itself. Autumn is rutting season, when the males are more active and you might hear them bellowing, while spring and summer are lovely for spotting young fawns. Just remember they’re wild animals, so admire them from a safe distance and don’t feed them!

Can you picnic in Knole Park?
Yes! There are lots of open spaces where you can lay down a blanket (just don’t feed the deer).

Can you take dogs?
Dogs are welcome on a lead in the park but not inside the house or tower.

Is there shade in summer?
Plenty – you’ll find shaded woodland paths as well as open grassy areas.

Is Knole Park National Trust?
Yes. The National Trust manages the house, Gatehouse Tower, car park and some of the grounds, but the Sackville family still live in private apartments in Knole House.

Read more of my UK adventures with kids!

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.