I dedicated a full day of my UK trip to visiting an unassuming town: Sevenoaks in Kent. With a population of less than 30,000, it’s significantly smaller than Pasadena’s 130,000 and even my hometown of Auburn, Alabama, which has a modest 80,000. In short, Sevenoaks is a truly small town.
Getting there from London was easy—you simply buy a ticket for the final destination and hop on the next train. At 7 a.m., I was at London Bridge station, ready for the journey. The train weaved through South London, starting with the urban bustle and a spectacular view of The Shard. But as we stopped at station after station, the buildings grew smaller, older, and more subdued. Eventually, trees and fields began to overtake the cityscape, and the scenery became far more tranquil.
Sevenoaks is charming, though the Ferrari dealership outside the train station feels a little out of place. I began my Saturday morning exploration to find the town still asleep. A map wasn’t necessary—Sevenoaks mostly consists of two main streets, and clear signs led me straight to Knole Park, where I spent most of my morning. The day was sunny but crisp, a perfect mix of warm sunlight and cool air as I strolled through the park. Near Knole House, herds of deer lounged in the fields. Their numbers vastly outnumber the handful of humans—just me and a few parents with strollers—leaving little doubt that, if it came to a showdown, the deer could easily win.
Leaving the park, I passed the historic Sevenoaks School, the second-oldest non-denominational school in the UK. Its alumni include Prince Amedeo of Belgium and, I’m sure, many other notable figures in recent years. The school was empty, likely due to spring break, but I couldn’t help but appreciate its legacy.
By the time I returned to the town square, Sevenoaks was beginning to wake up. Street markets selling flowers, bread, and jewelry were setting up, adding some life to the boutique shops that line the streets—shops that I imagine struggle to make rent in such a small town. After a quick lunch at Wagamama, I leisurely made my way back to London.
Would I visit Sevenoaks again? Absolutely. Would I want to live there? Not in my twenties or thirties. The train ride from South London to Sevenoaks felt almost symbolic: a journey through life stages. London’s chaotic energy mirrored youth, the suburban sprawl in between reflected middle age’s quieter complexity, and the calm serenity of Sevenoaks itself seemed to embody the peacefulness of old age.
Brayden Noh 