| Knockholt | |
|---|---|
 Main Road, Knockholt | |
  Knockholt Location withinKent | |
| Area | 2.63 sq mi (6.8 km2) |
| Population | 1,222 (2011 Census)[1] |
| • Density | 465/sq mi (180/km2) |
| OS grid reference | TQ467589 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SEVENOAKS |
| Postcode district | TN14 |
| Dialling code | 01959 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°18′36″N0°06′18″E / 51.31°N 0.105°E /51.31; 0.105 | |
Knockholt is a village andcivil parish in theSevenoaks District ofKent. It is located 5 mi (8 km) north west ofSevenoaks & 5.7 mi (9.2 km) south ofOrpington, and is adjacent to the Kent border withGreater London.
The village is mostly aribbon development, surrounded by fields that are a part of theGreen Belt. There is mixed arable farming. It is in a hilly, rural location, on the top of the dip slope of the North Downs, and has views over London. The village name, originally Nockholt, is one of many villages in England with a derivation from oak trees, most a strong departure from today's spelling of oak such asAike.
The village's name is derived from theAnglo-Saxonāc-holt meaning "oak wood", to which the final -n of the late Old English dative definite article "ðen" ("the") was accreted. The spelling with initial K- is a relatively recent one.[2] Knockholt was included inOrpington Urban District in 1934.[3] WhenGreater London was created in 1965, as part of Orpington UD, Knockholt was included in the newLondon Borough of Bromley. On 1 April 1969, following a concerted campaign by villagers it was removed from the Borough and returned to Kent, being included inSevenoaks Rural District.[4]
NOCKHOLT, a parish, in the [Poor Law] union of Bromley,hundred of Ruxley, lathe of Sutton-at-Hone, W. division of Kent, 5 miles (N. W.) from Seven-Oaks; containing 539 inhabitants. It consists of 1683 acres, of which 516 are in wood. The living [priest's benefice] is a perpetual curacy; net income, £102; patron, the [lay] impropriator of [the rectory of] Orpington: the tithes have been commuted [cut with chancel repairs apportioned] for £250, and theglebe comprises 3 acres. The church is a neat structure. There is a place of worship forWesleyans. —A Topographical Dictionary of England, 1848[5]
The area of the parish is virtually unchanged since first drawn in the late medieval period.[6] When it temporarily merged into Orpington (in 1934) and fell underBromley Rural District, it was 1,701 acres (688 ha), 18 more than in 1848.[7]
The Ivy Farm Communications Centre at Knockholt Pound was theRadio Intercept Station for the non-Morse radio traffic, known asFish, decoded byBletchley Park duringWorld War II.[8] The importance of the station is noted in Paul Gannon's book.[9]
There are two parts to the village,Knockholt, near thechurch and school andThe Pound, near the Three Horseshoes pub, The Harrow pub, the village shop and garage.
St Katharine's Church, a Grade II*-listed building, is theAnglicanparish church.[10] Near Knockholt Pound is the London RoadEvangelical Church, built in the late 19th century as aMethodist chapel.[11] Its registration on behalf of the denomination was cancelled in July 1967,[12] and in August 1968 it was re-registered for Evangelical use.[13] Opposite the parish church is St Katharine's Church of England Primary School.
The nearestNational Rail station isKnockholt, though it is located 2 mi (3 km) away from the village inChelsfield in the London Borough of Bromley.
Knockholt is serves byLondon Buses routesR5 andR10 which provide connections toOrpington,Cudham andHalstead.[citation needed]
Knockholt residents host a village carnival every two years, the most recent being in July 2024, and a fireworks night every year, late October to early November. Funds raised through these and other events go to national and local charities.[14] A new regular event in the village is the Knockstock music festival, starting in July 2013 and with plans to run in alternating years when the carnival is not operating.
Knockholt Amateur Theatrical Society produce one play and pantomime every year. This charitable society was formed in 1945. Kytens is the local youth amateur theatrical group linked to KATS above. There are many other groups including Bowls, Cricket, Tennis, Horse Riding, Horticulture, Christian Fellowship. This is a popular area for horse riders, walkers, ramblers and cyclists, due to its beauty.
Knockholt Cricket Club completed the 2009 season unbeaten in the Kent County Village League (KCVL) Division 3, which was believed to be a KCVL first.
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