Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks [1] is a town in Kent, in the South East of England. Understand Sevenoaks is a fairly traditional market town, although these days, given its proximity to London, it is known largely as a commuter town. Contrary to popular belief the town isn't named after the seven oak trees that stood alongside the cricket pitch (six of which were destroyed in the great storm of 1987); the town's name is instead derived from the Saxon word seouenaca, the name given to a small chapel in Knole Park around 800 AD. Get in By car Sevenoaks is situated very near the junction where the M26 meets the M25. The M26 (or A25) leads to Maidstone, and the A21 heads south to Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Hastings. By train Sevenoaks station is situated fairly near the centre of town, to the north. It is on the Main Kent Coast Line, which runs from London Charing Cross to Hastings. London is between 20 and 30 minutes away, depending on whether the train is direct or a stopper service. Trains also run on First Capital Connect to Bedford,Luton and St Albans. Tonbridge is the main train station in West Kent; any destination other than those on the London-Hastings mainline will require a change here. It is 10 minutes by train from Sevenoaks. Fare and timetable information is available from South East Trains, tel. 08457 484950. Get around Sevenoaks is not a large town, and the centre can easily be travelled on foot. As with most other towns in England, the town is well serviced by buses and taxis. By bus Arriva is the bus company that operates in Sevenoaks. Timetables and fares are available on their website. Buy your ticket from the driver when you board the bus. By taxi The main taxi rank is at the train station, although you can order a taxi by telephone to pick you up from anywhere. For pre-booked journeys, try: Streamline: +44 1732 459990 Iphone App and Textbooker available [2] Space Travel http://www.spacetravel.co.uk MS Executive Chauffeurs http://www.msexecutive.co.uk - +44 1892 513042 or 0800 980 7252 Kent Chauffeurs http://www.kent-chauffeur.co.uk/ See Knole House, tel: 01732 462100, e-mail: knole@nationaltrust.org.uk, [3]. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 27 March to 31 August (2004), 11:00-16:00. One of the great treasure houses of England, set in a magnificent deer park. Built in the 15th century and altered only in 1603, it has remained untouched since. Admission: £6.00. Sevenoaks Museum and Art Gallery, Buckhurst Lane, tel: 01732 453118/452384, [4]. Do See the deer in Knole Park - open daily all year, admission free to pedestrians Buy Eat Gregs Restaurant, 28-30 High Steet TN13 1HX, Tel 01732 456373, [5]. Fine dining restaurant with 2 AA rosettes. munite cusine Drink Sleep Royal Oak Hotel, High Steet TN13 1HY, Tel 01732 451109, [6]. Built as a coaching inn in the 18th century, the Royal Oak Hotel has is in an ideal position just opposite the entrance to Knole Park and historic Sevenoaks School. Get out Other places of interest in the Sevenoaks area Bough Beech reservoir - for walking, sailing and fishing. Includes a wildlife reserve Chartwell, Westerham, tel: 01732 868381, e-mail: chartwell@nationaltrust.org.uk, [7]. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 25 March '06 to 29 Oct '06. Also open Tuesday 4 Jul–3 Sep '06. House open 11:00-17:00. Family home of Sir Winston Churchill, with magnificent views over the Weald of Kent. Admission (2006): £10.00, Garden and Studio Only £5. Car park (for countryside access) open daily, 09:00-17:00. Hever castle Hever Castle, Hever, nr Edenbridge, tel: 01732 861710, [8]. Open daily from 1 April to 31 October. Gardens open from 11:00-18:00 (last admission 17:00), Castle open from 12:00-18:00 (during March and November the castle and garden are open from Thursdays-Sundays from 11am-4pm). During December the same applies as in March and November, but the gardens are closed. A 13th century castle once home to Anne Boleyn. Admission (2006): Castle & Garden £10.50, Garden only £8.40. There are also special events from March to October. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!