Our Town
This page includes a note about some of our most notable buildings, summarises the Society’s Local List and Town Centre Survey projects, and concludes with some thoughts about modern developments and improving the town.
We start with three articles and links to the full text:
The Society is delighted that the old millpond at Greatness has been restored to something of its former glory (October 2023). We have been pressing the owners, Sevenoaks District Council, to renovate the pond, which had been neglected so that silt, vegetation and rubbish had accumulated. As well as being a local amenity and haven for wildlife, the site is a reminder of both the silk and corn mills that used to flourish here, and also the fun had by many when it was a lido and boating pool.
Was it stolen, given away or simply misplaced?
Research conducted for the Society’s Heritage Exhbition uncovered many fascinating stories and images of Sevenoaks’ past. The object above was rediscovered during a visit to Oak End, one of the historic buildings featured in the exhibition. The owner had come across it in the attic just days before without realising what it was. From a drawing I was able to identify it as a wrought-iron lantern-holder that used to hang outside numbers 6 & 7 in Dorset Street.
Read more: The Mysterious Tale of the Missing Lantern-Holder: an Unfinished Detective Story.
A perambulation through pubs, places and peers
There are of course many public houses in Sevenoaks, although by no means as many as there used to be. (By 1920 for example there were 10 in the St Johns & Hartslands area alone: The Bat and Ball, Camden Arms, Castle, Compasses, Elephants Head, Greyhound (later The St John’s Tavern), Man of Kent, New Inn, Railway Tavern and Rifleman. Only the latter remains. Nationally, pubs are being closed at the rate of 50 a month).
This article is the first in a series about the history and stories of hostelries, past and present, of Sevenoaks and surroundings. Many are important, architecturally and/or historically, and as I am discovering, a surprising number have fascinating stories to tell. This article covers my exploration of pubs in the area which have links to the aristocratic Camden family. I look forward immensely to continuing the research.
See our magazine for further articles on our historic pubs and inns.
Some buildings are of national significance, most obviously Knole.
But there are others that are important in that they reflect the character of the town; are of historical significance, associated with local events, activities or famous people; or represent notable examples of an architect’s work.