SEVENOAKS, Kent, a market-town, and the seat of a Poor-Lew Union, in the parish of Sevenoaks, is situated in 51° 16' N. lat., 0° 11' E. long., distant 17 miles W. from Maidstone, and 23 miles S.S.E. from London. The population of the town of Sevenoaks in 1851 was 1850. The living is a vicarage in the archdeaconry of Maidstone and diocese of Canterbury. Sevenoaks Poor-Law Union contains 16 parishes and townships, with an area of 67,488 acres, and a population in 1851 of 22,095.
The town is situated on an eminence which forms the northern brow of the chalk-marl and greensand range of high lands, in the midst of a fertile and well-cultivated district. The streets are lighted with gas. The church is a spacious and handsome edifice, with a lofty square tower; it is chiefly in the perpendicular style. There are places of worship for Wesleyan Methodists and Baptists. The Grammar school, founded in 1418 by Sir William do Sevenoke, or Sennocke, a foundling brought up by some charitable person in this town, is free to boys for classics only, and has two exhibitions of 65/.
a year each ; in 1854 there were 8 scholars on the foundation. This school, and a large range of almshouses founded at the same time by Sevenoke, is under the government of a corporation consisting of two wardens and four assistants. An endowed school, founded by Lady Margaret Boswell, provides for the instruction of 200 children. The market is on Saturday, chiefly for corn ; a market held on the third Friday of each month for cattle has declined. There are two yearly fairs.
Adjoining Sevenoaks is Knole Park, one of the finest mansions in the kingdom. It is very spacious, of different dates, and contains a large and valuable collection of painting; as well as much curious old furniture; it stands' in a noble park of 800 acres, well stocked with deer and abounding with stately trees, especially beeches : both mansion and park are open to the public.