Sevenoaks became part of the modern communications network when one of the early turnpikes was opened in the 18th century; the railway was relatively late in reaching it.

In 1100, the name of the settlement was recorded as Seouenaca (here the "v" is interchangeable with "u"[5]), in turn derived from the 10th-century Old English seofon combined with ac: the place of the seven oaks.

In the Middle Ages, two hospitals were provided by religious orders for the care of old or sick people, especially those going on pilgrimage.

Sevenoaks School, at the south end of High Street, is one of the oldest lay foundations in England.

In 1902, seven oaks were planted on the north side of The Vine cricket ground to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII.

Their replacements, planted in a ceremony involving well-known people from television shows such as Blue Peter and locals such as Gloria Hunniford and Caron Keating, were vandalised, leaving the one mature tree standing.

A800 River Cray was derailed hauling a Cannon Street to Deal express, knocking a road bridge and killing 13 passengers.

[10] A number of institutions provided healthcare in the 19-20th centuries including: Sevenoaks is governed by a town council with sixteen members.

The settlement of Riverhead to the north-west is the largest; other parts of the town (in clockwise order from the north) include Greatness;[16] Wildernesse; St John's; Hollybush; Sevenoaks Common; and Kippington.

The 2001 census counts approximately 18,588 residents within the Sevenoaks civil parish authority, compared to its population in 1801 of 2,600.

[17] Sevenoaks, like much of West Kent, is characterised by high levels of economic activity and a skilled resident workforce.

Many of those houses attract high prices, making it difficult for people to buy property.

Transport links are generally very busy and town centre congestion is common at peak times.

In its centre is Knole, the home of the Sackville family (the Earls of Dorset) since it was given to them by Queen Elizabeth I in 1577.

Riverhill House and gardens are located directly to the south of Knole Park, on the southern edge of Sevenoaks.

The house and gardens, which were first built in the 16th century, are privately owned by Jane Margaret Rogers but are periodically open to the public.

Lady Margaret Boswell left a bequest to educate 12 poor scholars of the town.

In 1710, part of one of the roads – from Sevenoaks through Tonbridge and Pembury to Tunbridge Wells – was the first in Kent to be turnpiked; others followed within the century.

[41] Sevenoaks Information provides a comprehensive What's On events diary for the town and surrounding area.

who currently play in Borough Green due to construction of a new club house in Ide Hill village.

It was given to the town of Sevenoaks in 1773 by John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset (1745–1799) and owner of Knole House.

In 2017, the team won the WBBL Trophy, defeating the Leicester Riders 82-67 in the final in Glasgow.

[48] The Stag Theatre, cinema and the Plaza music and conference complex is located at the top of London Road (TN13 1ZZ).

It was reopened as a community arts centre by Sevenoaks Town Council on 2 January 2009 and is supported by a strong network of volunteers.

However, the town can also receive the Bluebell Hill TV transmitter which broadcast BBC South East & ITV Meridian and also through satellite television such as Freesat.

The local paper is the Sevenoaks Chronicle, which is published every Thursday by the Courier Media Group.