Living in Sevenoaks

Are you thinking of living in Sevenoaks?

Living in Sevenoaks is a great option for a variety of different buyers.

In this article, we hope to explain why it could be the perfect location for you!

No matter where you move to, one thing is definite, it is going to be a huge upheaval.

There is a mountain of things to do so, it makes sense to be sure that the area you are considering is right for you.

Aspects like transport links, amenities, schools and local health providers are all vital factors to consider.

Are you a young single person? Are you a parent with several children? Or are you now able to downsize to a property which is much easier to maintain and clean?

Whatever your circumstances maybe you still need to know a little about the area you are considering.

Perhaps affluent Sevenoaks appeals to you, and you want to know what living in Sevenoaks is like.

This is a general guide to the town and what you can expect if you decide to start living in Sevenoaks.

History of Sevenoaks

It is always nice to have a little historical background information about the place you live in.

Sevenoaks’ name is derived from the Old English word “Seouenaca”, the name given to a small chapel near seven oak trees in what is now Knole Park around AD 800.

The town was and still is considered a key destination due to its proximity to central London 21 miles away and its position on a major 18th-century toll road.

Receiving its market charter in the 13th century now managed by Sevenoaks Town Council.

A general Wednesday market still takes place today in Buckhurst car park next to Sevenoaks bus station.

The famous Sevenoaks School was founded in 1432 and is generally considered to be the oldest secular school in England

Sevenoaks is home to the Vine cricket ground, which may well be the oldest cricket ground in existence, as a match was reported here in 1734.

If you are interested in finding out more about the history of Sevenoaks, the town’s museum is the best place to start.

House Prices

Sevenoaks has a higher rate of home ownership than many towns in the UK.

Residents in the area either own their homes outright or via a mortgage, more so than the national average.

Being well known as a popular retreat for London commuters it comes as no surprise at all that housing commands premium prices.

According to Zoopla, the average sold price for a property in Sevenoaks in the last 12 months is £716,528.

Different property types in Sevenoaks have had different average selling prices over the last 12 months.

You need to budget on average £1,122,559 for a detached home, £626,563 for a Semi, £485,733 for a terrace and £320,077 for a one-bed flat.

There are as many as 464 properties for sale within a mile of the town so, choice is no issue.

Though averages are high, at the lower end of the market homes are for sale for offers over £175,000. Three-bedroom family homes start from £300,000.

These homes may not be in the poshest of neighbourhoods.

However, it does mean that you can get onto the property ladder with a view to moving on after a couple of years.

Buying a home in Sevenoaks certainly is a very good investment.

Local Amenities

In a recent survey, estate agents Rightmove found that Sevenoaks is the second happiest place to live in the Southeast of the UK.

Exceptional local amenities contribute to its happiness levels.

Across all levels, you will find that Sevenoaks exceeds expectations.

Good schools both private and state are available.

Transport links are yet another quality aspect of Sevenoaks with high numbers commuting the short 20 minutes into the capital.

Shopping supplies an excellent mix of big brands and independent stores for Sevenoaks residents.

There is a tangle of quaint, shop-filled alleyways in the triangle between the High Street, London Road, and Bligh’s Meadow pedestrianised shopping centre.

The town centre holds regular events and festivals.

Those who live here can enjoy the cafes and restaurants which manage to cover all budgets.

There are also several libraries including Sevenoaks Library.

This library offers computers, Wi-Fi, a children’s library and a local studies centre which is a hub for the community.

Being a market town as you would expect several markets are held each week. To find out more about markets in the area visit Sevenoaks District Council’s website.

Travel Links in Sevenoaks

The town is served by several access roads making travel by road simple.

However, some of these roads do get congested at times.

The busy M25 is one of the main routes into London by car.

It skirts the town to the west making speedy work of travel northwards.

The M26 links with the M20 and supplies access to regions east and west of Sevenoaks.

Travelling by rail is incredibly efficient.

Two railway stations are situated in Sevenoaks, and two more sit on the outskirts.

The principal station is on the South-eastern Main Line and acts as the terminus for the suburban stopping services to both London Charing Cross and Blackfriars.

The latter services follow the branch line via Swanley, calling at the second of the stations, named Bat & Bal.

Plus, if you fancy a trip across the Channel or elsewhere along the Kent coast, trains to Ashford International take just over 45 minutes.

Education & Schools

Sevenoaks is home to several highly regarded private and state schools and represents a major draw for buyers looking to relocate to the area.

Some of the best primaries include Lady Boswell’s C of E Primary School, Amherst School and Riverhead Infants all rated as ‘Outstanding’.

Secondary schools also perform well.

Knole Academy and Trinity state schools were given an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’.

Private Walthamstow Hall Senior School was rated as ‘excellent’ by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

Weald of Kent Grammar School and the state Sevenoaks Schools were also given an “outstanding” rating.

Health Care in Sevenoaks

In terms of health care, there are a number of small health centres locally.

Sevenoaks Hospital is situated on Hospital Road.

A community hospital offering in-patient care and outpatient appointments.

When you first arrive in the town, it is wise to register with a local GP surgery as soon as you can.

You can easily do this on the internet by visiting the NHS website.

Registering with an NHS dentist might also be a service you need.

As with Doctor surgeries, the NHS is the place to visit online for an up-to-date list of dental surgeries in the area.

Things to do

There is a vast choice of things to do in the town.

Relaxing with family and friends is something most of us love to do and there are all kinds of ways to do this in Sevenoaks.

If you enjoy being active, there are some great leisure facilities and sports clubs you can join.

Two local golf courses, Knowle Park and Wildernesse have lovely courses and welcome new members.

Sevenoaks Leisure Centre is a popular venue. It has all kinds of sports-related activities to get involved with. It has recently had a £1m makeover.

The Vine Cricket Ground is one of the oldest cricket venues in England. Players compete in the Kent Cricket League.

Whether you are considering trying out for the team or just want to be a spectator, a list of the club’s season matches is on their website.

You will find a myriad of things to do in the town apart from sport-related entertainment.

Green areas are abundant. Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is a favourite. Seventy-three tranquil hectares of woodland, marshes and lakes are dedicated to nature conservation.

The Kent Downs is simply stunning. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) they are the eastern half of the North Downs and stretch from the London/Surrey borders to the White Cliffs of Dover.

Ideal for walking in particular The North Downs Way runs through the full length of the Kent Downs. The Stour Valley Walk passes through the east of the AONB, and the Greensand Way to the south of Sevenoaks.

For more interesting things to do in the area link to the web addresses below:

• dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/things-to-do/south-east-and-london/kent/sevenoaks#
• https://visitsevenoaks.co.uk

Making New Friends in Sevenoaks

If you are concerned that by moving to Sevenoaks you might struggle to make new friends, there are a number of ways you can avoid feeling cut off and lonely.

The town is a very friendly place packed with clubs, societies, organizations, and hobby-related meetups for all ages. These are ideal for getting to know people.

You could try one of the following:

• Sevenoaks Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Sevenoaks Music Club
• Volunteering Groups in Sevenoaks
• Walking Groups
• Philharmonic Society

For more information about what happens locally, look out for the local paper, leaflets, and community boards. These are full of information about local clubs, societies and groups that you can join.

Ready to Start Living in Sevenoaks

Taking into consideration all that Sevenoaks manages to pack in, combined with its solid reputation and convenient position close to London and you are onto a winner.

Whether it’s for more space to work from home, or simply to be away from a busy city and closer to the countryside, you will have an exciting time if you decide to take the plunge and move to Sevenoaks.

GoodMove will make moving to Sevenoaks a smooth and simple process.

We take great pleasure in ensuring your move runs efficiently and effortlessly, helping you to arrive at your new home in no time at all.

As well as our competitively priced removals package, we can also provide extra services such as short-term or long-term storage should you need it.

GoodMove cover all areas of Kent, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex and our friendly estimators can call round at a convenient time for you and strategically plan your move to perfection.

During these exceptional times, GoodMove are also offering a new video survey service.

Using our new technology, we can gather all the information required to assist with your move, from the comfort of your home!

Video surveys will help you save valuable time and go a long way to maintaining the best safety levels.

Find out more about how we could get you moving to Sevenoaks or any other location by calling the number listed above.

Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form or click on our live bot in the bottom right and a member of our customer services team will be in touch shortly.