Sevenoaks is a town in south-east England, in the County of Kent. It is also a local authority district, covering Sevenoaks, Swanley and Edenbridge. The town's name came from the fact there were seven oak trees prominent in the town's vicinity. However, six of these were destroyed in the 1987 storm.
Approximately 25 miles from London, Sevenoaks is a fairly traditional market town, with a population of approximately 18,000. Given its proximity to London a large proportion of residents are commuters, although the town centre does contain a reasonable number of small and medium sized shops, and a recently enlarged outdoor shopping centre. Sevenoaks Railway Station was the first station in Britain to by re-built in the later well-known British Rail red, white and blue style.
Sevenoaks is notable for being the first place in England to play cricket with three stumps. The orginial cricket green in the town is still used as such and has the name the Old Cricket Ground.
To the east side of the town is a large deer park - Knole Park - and stately home, Knole House, traditionally the seat of the Sackville family. Sevenoaks School, at the south end of the High Street and whose grounds penetrate into Knole, is the oldest secular school in England. The Knole estate is now owned and maintained by the National Trust.
Sevenoaks borders on several villages, including Sundridge and Westerham.
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