Knockholt is a village and civil parish in the SevenoaksDistrict of Kent, England. It is located north west of Sevenoaks & south of Orpington, adjacent to the Kent border with Greater London. The village is mostly a ribbon development, surrounded by fields that are a part of the Green 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 has the unusually late, mid-19th century more common spelling Nockholt, and is one of many villages in England with a derivation from oak trees, most a strong departure from today's spelling of oak such as Aike.
History
The village's name is derived from the Anglo-Saxonāc-holt meaning "oak copse". Knockholt was included in Orpington Urban District in 1934. When Greater London was created in 1965, as part of Orpington UD, Knockholt was included in the London 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 in Sevenoaks Rural District. The area of the parish is virtually unchanged since first drawn in the late medieval period. When it temporarily merged into Orpington and fell under Bromley Rural District, it was, 18 more than in 1848. The Ivy Farm Communications Centre at Knockholt Pound was the Radio Intercept Station for the non-Morse radio traffic, known as Fish, decoded by Bletchley Park during World War II. The importance of the station is noted in Paul Gannon's book. There are two parts to the village, Knockholt, near the church and school and The Pound, near the Three Horseshoes pub, village shop and garage. There are two other pubs, the Harrow and Tally Ho, as well as a village club. St Katharine's Church, a Grade II*-listed building, is the Anglican parish church. Near Knockholt Pound is the London RoadEvangelical Church, built in the late 19th century as a Methodist chapel. Its registration on behalf of the denomination was cancelled in July 1967, and in August 1968 it was re-registered for Evangelical use. Opposite the parish church is St Katharine's Church of England Primary School.
Transport
Rail
The nearest National Rail station is Knockholt, though it is located away from the village.
Buses
Knockholt is served by London Buses routes R5 & R10 and Go Coach route 3. These connect it with areas including Orpington & Sevenoaks.
Local activities
Knockholt residents host a village carnival every two years, the most recent being in July 2018, and a fireworks night every year, late October to early November. Funds raised through these and other events go to national and local charities. 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 Division 3, which was believed to be a KCVL first.
