EXCLUSIVE HISTORIC HOUSES MEMBERS TOUR

Enjoy exclusive tours of the attractive market town of Sevenoaks and the nearby grand manor of Chevening.

Enjoy a guided walk around the attractive town of Sevenoaks which was given market status in the 13th century. Our town tour will include a visit to the medieval parish church of St. Nicholas; the current main shape of the church is 13th century and was rebuilt in the 15th century. Among the interesting buildings we will learn about is Sevenoaks School, one of the oldest lay foundations in England and known as Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School when it was granted patent by Elizabeth I, the adjacent almshouses, the Chantry and the Old Post Office. 

The wildflower border at Chevening

Later, we will discover Grade I Chevening House, the earliest known example of a compact double-pile house, traditionally attributed to Inigo Jones. The house has a history dating back around 800 years, but the house we see today is almost entirely the creation of seven generations of the Stanhope family, building on the original Lennard family’s house of around 1630. For 250 years the Stanhopes served their country as soldiers and statesmen and at Chevening as patrons of architecture and art. When, sadly, the line ran out, the 7th Earl’s munificent gift of Chevening to the nation ensured that the distinguished history of the family and the estate was preserved for future generations. It is especially appropriate that the house has become the country residence of the Foreign Secretary and thus continues to play its part in the political life of the nation.

Tickets £95 including a two-course lunch at Côte Brasserie, Sevenoaks and afternoon tea with sandwiches and cake in the Drawing Room at the conclusion of the tour at Chevening. 

Lunch options to be made available to attendees in March 2025.