Knole Place, Sevenoaks

We visited this impressive National Trust property as part of Susan's birthday. We arrived in time for lunch, spent some time in the Conservation Studio where experts and craftspersons are painstakingly restoring all sorts of historical artefacts then moved on to the main house.

The gate tower in the photo was the home for some years of Edward Sackville-West (1901-65), cousin of Vita and heir to the Knole Estate. He didn't relish the prospect of inheriting the estate and eventually it passed to another member of the family. He was part of the Bloomsbury Set, mainly as an author.

The family still live in the massive property. Just a few rooms are open to the public with more being prepared for opening shortly. The Trust has invested £millions to rescue and restore the building which has, for example over 7 acres of roof to repair and maintain. The House started as an Archbishop's Palace in the 14thC, growing over the centuries into the likeness of a "small town"

From the House we walked through the parklands, past many Roe Deer, giving us this iconic view of the property and deer eventually arriving back at the cafe just as they were closing. We didn't want any tea but were accosted by a lady giving away scones at the end of the day. We had 4 fruit and 4 cheese to help out as they would only have been thrown away. What else could you do? Everyone else in the cafe had their own little bag as well. They're in the freezer now.

A slow drive home then it was straight into Susan's birthday dinner: asparagus then fillet steak, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, peas and Jersey Royals with scones (which I made myself this morning) with strawberries and cream. No cake as we're back trying to cut down on sugar. We did have some Prosecco with nibbles and a glass of wine with dinner.

It was a grand day out!