Sevenoaks walk – parkland and parakeets

This trek through Knole Park takes in glorious views across the historic deer park and through the gates into the 24 acres of manicured gardens.

Henry VIII liked Knole so much that he persuaded Thomas Cranmer to give it to him in 1538. The 500 deer that wander the park are all descendants of the deer the King used to hunt.

Along the way are signs of the woodland that once dominated the rolling landscape of the Weald. Yew, hawthorn, oak, hornbeam, silver birch, maple and ash can all be found in Knole’s woodland, evidence of its medieval landscape.

Flocks of parakeets can be seen and heard high above the park. These birds are more recent inhabitants to the park, which has changed little from the early 17th century.