Viewing Sites Near Sevenoaks

Hi John-Paul

Welcome to the Flamsteed forum. I am in exactly the same boat as you and so I enjoy my opportunities to take my telescope for a spin by joining societies like Flamsteed that organise group stargazing meetups.

But those are not enough for me and no doubt you would want more frequent opportunities too.

So on top of those, I have done the following:

As a member of a local sports club that has a large sports field, I often smuggle my telescope onto the football/cricket/rugby pitches whichever are not in use 🙂 But I would pack up at 9pm before the sports club shuts.

I recently started an endeavour to do solo camping at campsites in reasonably dark sky locations. This I find to be a nice safe way to stargaze on my won as the campsites are usually family owned, however, in winter, I find that I am the only customer camper each time I have gone! But its safe and I even made friends with the campsite family. The one I go to is in Brede which is half way between where you live and Hastings and that they have nice dark skies (for a rural area).

Lastly, and coincidentally. I found a new spot for when I want to get to a place quickly out of London for stargazing and guess where? Right where you are in Sevenoakes...Knoll House to be specific. The Knoll House park is actually open 24hrs and I have now twice in the last few weeks gone there to do some astrophotography. Its a lovely spot and quite funky too with all those deers walking around, lol. I took a risk stargazing there but there are runners and cyclists that pass by and somehow it just feels like a more safer community there. You probably know more.

I'll let you know when next I will be up there, you are welcome to join me.

Hi Tej thanks for your reply, yes I know Knole park I walk my dog up the at least twice a week 🙂 I would be very interested in joining you when you are next down this way. I use Sevenoaks Prep School ( https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Sevenoaks+Preparatory+School/ @51.268254,0.226376,556m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x47df4dd42d41d97b:0x14ff08b2da44acec)  when I've been out, its behind Knole park their car park and  playing fields are open 27/7. Its dark and has a 360 view of the night sky, there is a pub just down the road called the Bucks Head which could be a nice meeting point.

Look forward to hearing from you or anyone who would like to meet

John

Hi guys... I've just moved this discussion thread to a more suitable forum group, so it's more visible.

Hi Tej thanks for your reply, yes I know Knole park I walk my dog up the at least twice a week I would be very interested in joining you when you are next down this way. I use Sevenoaks Prep School ( @51.268254,0.226376,556m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x47df4dd42d41d97b:0x14ff08b2da44acec" rel="nofollow"> https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Sevenoaks+Preparatory+School/ @51.268254,0.226376,556m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x47df4dd42d41d97b:0x14ff08b2da44acec) when I’ve been out, its behind Knole park their car park and playing fields are open 27/7. Its dark and has a 360 view of the night sky, there is a pub just down the road called the Bucks Head which called be a nice meeting point.

Look forward to hearing from you or anyone who would like to meet

John

Sounds good! The forecast is not good for the next five days but I'll let you know when next I'll be up there...might be short notice because it depends on the weather forecast. Lets keep the conversation open on this thread in case anyone else might like to join us.

Hi guys… I’ve just moved this discussion thread to a more suitable forum group, so it’s more visible.

Thanks Mike

Yep I see that the weather isn't going to be good for a few days, can you access Knole with a car after dark ?

Yep I see that the weather isn’t going to be good for a few days, can you access Knole with a car after dark ?

I was told by staff that the car park closes shortly after Knole House opening hours. The pedestrian gates into the park are open 24hr.

I dont actually have a car. One of the reason I like Sevenoaks as a stargaze option for me is that I can catch one train from Peckham then walk to the park.

Oh didn't realise you didn't have a car, the Prep school might not be an option for you as its a bit out of the way, Knole is good for me anyway, I drive so could always go to the Prep school from Knole ?

Oh didn’t realise you didn’t have a car, the Prep school might not be an option for you as its a bit out of the way, Knole is good for me anyway, I drive so could always go to the Prep school from Knole ?

Yeah, sorry and also I have to catch the last train at 10:30pm (or 11:06pm if I take two trains) . However, I may sometimes stay overnight in a local b&b which I had done last time for the Jupiter triple transit. But I would only do that if I am taking timelapses or a series of deep space long exposures through to early hours.

I admit I do create some self logistic challenges not having a car!