Knole House to Ightham Mote loop

This walk connects two National Trust properties – Knole Park, and Ightham Mote. To make this walk more of a day out, you could visit both places along the way! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as this route follows varied terrain along woodland paths and dirt tracks with some points of on-road walking. That being said, it’s a gentle and easy route and the woodland parts provide welcome shade in warm weather. If you can, we recommend walking this route in the Spring to see the vibrant bluebells that carpet the woodland floor!

The easiest way to arrive at this route is by car, using the National Trust-owned car park at either Knole House, where our loop route begins, or at Ightham Mote, halfway along our route. Both of these car parks are owned by the National Trust and are free for members, though a small fee applies to non-members. There are toilets at Knole House and its Brewhouse Cafe just around the corner, and there are facilities at Ightham Mote just a short walk en route from the car park. You’ll also find dog waste bins and water bowls for dogs here too.

If you are bringing your four-legged friends along for walkies, it’s worth noting that there are a few brief road crossings – make sure you put your dogs on lead here and across the National Trust car parks for their safety. Dogs must be kept on lead throughout Knole Park, but once you’ve exited the park and made it to the woods across the road they can run free! We love to bring dogs on this walk as there are lots of interesting countryside sights and smells for them to enjoy.

Even if you don’t enter either of the National Trust properties en route, there are parts of both that you can enjoy without stopping off. Our route leads around the exterior of Ightham Mote, where you’ll be able to admire the medieval moated manor house before carrying on with your walk. Arriving at Knole House, it’s free to enter the courtyards and orangery where you can wander and appreciate its grandeur.