![Knole House, near Sevenoaks in Kent](https://images.prismic.io/purcell/YWQxNzg2MmYtYTRhZi00NTA2LTgwMTktNWJmMjE5MWYzOTI0_230587_n11_medium.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=426,0,648,1123&w=1536&h=5200)
Knole House
National Trust country estate
- Location
- London & South East
- Client
- The National Trust
Purcell has been the commissioned architect for all work at Knole House on behalf of The National Trust for over twenty years, and a continuous programme of repair and conservation work has been in progress since the mid-1990s.
Various parts of the house have been re-roofed and major repair projects have been undertaken in the Orangery and Long Gallery.
![Knole House, near Sevenoaks in Kent](https://images.prismic.io/purcell/YWQxNzg2MmYtYTRhZi00NTA2LTgwMTktNWJmMjE5MWYzOTI0_230587_n11_medium.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1500,1123&w=768&h=486&fit=crop)
![Historic image of Knole House, near Sevenoaks in Kent](https://images.prismic.io/purcell/M2Q4NTExMzAtZThmMi00MWJlLWI3MTUtYmExMGU2ZDljZDRj_230587_n7_medium.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1181,747&w=768&h=486&fit=crop)
In addition to working for the National Trust, Purcell also carried out a significant programme of works to the private apartments, encompassing 52 rooms and 3 external courtyards. Work included the conservation, repair and reordering of the interiors, in addition to a new build extension and the re-presentation of a medieval roof space and historic Water Court.
![Knole House, near Sevenoaks in Kent](https://images.prismic.io/purcell/N2Q4YzI0YjEtOGZmNi00YTdiLWI3ZDAtYTBkMWQ3ZjA1Njk5_230587_n4_medium.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1455,1124&w=1536&h=1124)
The house has been largely re-wired, with conservation heating added to the display rooms. Comprehensive fire detection and compartmentation works, alarm and lightning conductor systems have also been installed.
A new staircase was designed to sit sympathetically within the traditionally panelled interior.
Knole retains the scale of a royal palace and is still occupied by separate households, with an impressive suite of rooms open to the public.
Studio: Canterbury
Client: National Trust
Listing status: Grade I listed