Name: Bob Ogley's The Story of Knole Park - Mayoral Charity Event
Start: 2026-03-30T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-03-30T20:30:00+01:00
Location: Sevenoaks School

Bob Ogley's The Story of Knole Park - Mayoral Charity Event

Join Bob Ogley as he talks about his new book, The Story of Knole Park, at this fundraising event at Sevenoaks School.
About this Event

Join us on Monday 30th March at 7.30pm for a final chance to hear Bob Ogley tell 'The Story of Knole Park' at the Recital Room, Pamoja Hall, Sevenoaks School, built looking out into the park.

If you missed the sold-out events in December and January, don’t miss this one. Bob Ogley tells the story of the largest and oldest deer park in Kent, starting from the 14th century and added to over 700 years. Used by Dukes, Archbishops, Kings and Queens, it has shaped Sevenoaks right through its history.

Bob’s story is about more than the land - it covers the extraordinary community which made it work. The craftsman and women, the farmers and keepers, the sportsmen and household staff all have a place in the tale. And of course Bob, as narrator, has lived most of the last 80 years of this story growing up and living close to the park."

Mayor of Sevenoaks, Cllr Tony Clayton

A message from Bob Ogley

After five years of research, I have completed my book on The Story of Knole Park.

The book traces the history from the earliest days of Bronze Age barrows and the ownership of Robert de Knole, Archbishop Bourchier and Henry VIII, to the first Sackville, and the 13 generations that followed.

This story is not about the large labyrinth house, but how Knole Park gradually grew to its present size of one thousand acres, unravelling the most extraordinary stories along the way - the great barn fire, the gunpowder plot and the ritual marks, Oliver Cromwell and the Civil War, the paintings created by pre-Raphaelite artists and how the Sackvilles fostered the game of cricket.

There are stories about the visits from Kings and Queens, the riot when Sackville closed the park, the devastating storm of 1987 and, of course, the full account of the visit from four young musicians called John, Paul, George and Ringo. And much, much more.

The forward has been written by Lord Sackville who has generously described it as a "definitive, comprehensive, and heartfelt history." I thank him very much.

The book is supporting this year's charities chosen by the Mayor of Sevenoaks, Cllr Tony Clayton - Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust and Sevenoaks Citizens Advice. The book costs £20.