Stampeding deer!

As part of my sister and dad's birthday celebrations, we visited the National Trust property of Knole Park, located in Seven Oaks, Kent. 

The house is located in an extensive country park.  Though owned by the National Trust, it has been in the Sackville family for generations.   The house has stood there at least since Stuart times (after the Tudors) I believe and it contains one of the only large collections of chairs and textiles from over 400 years ago from the reign of James I.  The whole collection is incredibly precious.   The drive in was very beautiful with acres of green all around.

As you approach the house, you enter into a quadrangle. 

The first place to see is the orangery 

It was a long room with plenty of light, trees and some interesting friezes. Knole is being restored extensively at the moment, a lot of pieces are being restoed to their former glory because of the age and light damage.  But this first place was beautiful. 

There were a few places with stained glass which I always like.

 Straight on was an interactive information zone where you could read the diaries of a Lady Sackville who despite there being no entail needing the property to be passed onto a male heir, was denied her rightful role as the owner of Knole for 40 years until the son of her younger brother died.  There is a superb video that tells you all about the incredible restoration needed of the property and the history of the place.

Apparently, the majority of the sumptuous property and furniture comes because of the Lord Sackville was an ambassador or some important role in regard to the royal family in both England and France.  As part of his job, he was allowed to take an furniture or items that the royal family did not want any more from royalty including Louis Quatorze and James I.  These priveleges were known perquisites  (http://www.dictionary.com/  defines this as follows)

per·qui·site   /ˈpɜrkwəzɪt/as  [pur-kwuh-zit]

noun

1. an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages: Among the president's perquisites were free use of a company car and paid membership in a country club.

2. a gratuity or tip.

3. something demanded or due as a particular privilege: homage that was once the perquisite of royalty.

In other words- PERKS!  

So, the furniture and items here are simply astounding.   Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside the main house but highlights included the King's Bedroom with an amazing set of tapestries and gold and silver brocaded beds.  The King actually never stayed!  Lady Betty's bedroom had a sort of secret staircase, an amazing collection of portraits, and the cartoon gallery, some early harpsichord cases. There are 365 rooms all in all, seven courtyards and an area of four acres at least!

The restoration project is called Knole in Flux and lots of artefacts were covered up for restoring but it was still worth seeing!

 We ate a very pleasant lunch in the tearooms.  I had a delicious vegetarian quiche with salad and potatoes with Rose Lemonade.  And of course cake is obligatory for a National Trust property.

 As we walked towards the car, we saw a glimpse of what Knole is also famous for- it's deer!

 But they weren't at all shy.

 We went right up to them and they continued to nonchalantly munch on grass!

You can see how close people got.

 The grounds would have been wonderful for a walk if it wasn't so cold and blustery. I love the fact a game of cricket was going on!

 Another interesting fact is that The Beatles Strawberry fields video was shot there!

We finally returned back to the house, CBC arrived and my Stepmum cooked us the most amazing dinner of Lasagna and Apple Crumble.  We celebrated the 2 birthdays in style!  It made me think that I must visit more of beautiful Kent.  There are SO many interesting places there.  Kent has more castles than any other county, so I will return!

Have you visited Knole?  Would you?  And what have you been doing instead?!