Knockholt means the place at an 'oak wood', and comes from the Saxon 'ac', meaning 'oak' and 'holt' - 'woodland'. It is first recorded as Ocholt in 1165, and acquired an initial N- from the Old English definite article (appearing as Nocholt by 1353).
Legend has it that William the Conqueror watered his horse at a dew pond at the highest point in the highest village in Kent, perched on one of Britain's oldest routes, known as the 'Track way.' It ran mostly over hills to avoid the dangers lurking in the surrounding huge forest.
The 13th Century church is dedicated to St Katharine, and was built in the reign of Henry III.
The railway station was called 'Halstead for Knockholt', when it first opened in 1876, although later changed to Knockholt in 1900. The author E S Nesbit, a one-time resident, set her novel 'The Railway Children' in and around the station.
