Sevenoaks | |
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Town | |
Knole House |
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Coat of Arms of Sevenoaks Town Council Motto: Floreant Septem Quercus May the seven oaks flourish. |
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Sevenoaks shown within Kent | |
Population | 29,506 20,409 (2011 Census) |
Demonym | Sennockian Old Sennockian (Exclusive to Sevenoaks School alumni) |
OS grid reference | TQ525555 |
Civil parish |
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District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Sevenoaks |
Postcode district | TN13, TN14, TN15 |
Dialling code | 01732 |
Police | Kent |
Fire | Kent |
Ambulance | South East Coast |
EU Parliament | South East England |
UK Parliament | |
Sevenoaks is a town and civil parish with a population of 29,506 situated south-east of London in western Kent, England. The population of the parish had reduced to 20,409 at the 2011 Census. It is served by a commuter main line railway and is 21 miles (34 km) from London Charing Cross. It is the principal town of the Sevenoaks district, followed by Swanley and Edenbridge.
A settlement was recorded in the 13th century, when a market was established. Construction of Knole House in the 15th century helped develop the village. Sevenoaks became part of the modern communications network when one of the early turnpikes was opened in the 18th century; the railway was relatively late in reaching it. In the 21st century, it has a large commuting population, although the nearby Fort Halstead defence installation is a major local employer. Located to the south-east of the town is Knole Park, within which lies Knole House.
Educational establishments in the town include the independent Sevenoaks School and Knole Academy.
The town's name is derived from the Old English word "Seouenaca", the name given to a small chapel near seven oak trees on The Vine around AD 800.
There are few records earlier than the 13th century for the town, when it was given market status. The weekly cattle market was held in Hitchen Hatch Lane until 1999. It was closed to make way for the "160 BT building" in London Road. A food market is held in the centre of town every Saturday. In the Middle Ages two hospitals were provided by religious orders for the care of old or sick people, especially those going on pilgrimage.