Knole U3A

Welcome to Knole U3A

Knole Holiday Trip 2023 visit  Newark Castle

Historic Buildings Group at Cutlers Livery Hall London

Historic Buildings Group Visit to Crossness Pumping Station  

Knole Holiday Trip 2023 visit Lincoln Cathedral

Camera Group Visit Lea Valley white water course

Knole Holiday Trip 2022 Cardiff Cathedral

The Universite de Troisieme Age (u3a) originated in France in 1973 as an extra mural activity at the University of Social Science in Toulouse and the first u3a was established in the UK in 1981, loosely based on the French system.

For more on the  history of the u3a in UK, please see  The_u3a_story by_Francis_Beckett_Web  

In 2009 an enthusiastic small group of local people came together to launch Knole u3a, its name chosen to reflect the connection to Sevenoaks.

Since then, we have gone from strength to strength and now in autumn 2023 have grown to 434 members. We currently offer 67 study groups, giving members the opportunity to for example improve foreign language skills, enjoy walks exploring the local countryside and the hidden back streets of London, learn new board games, join current affairs discussion group, explore local history.  And our monthly Science group invites knowledgeable speakers to give talks on a broad range of topics.

No qualifications are needed to join, just enthusiasm, curiosity and, because u3as are run by members, for its members, a willingness to contribute to its functioning in some way. This might be contributing to the successful running of any Group you join, admin help, providing refreshments at monthly meetings and even serving on committee.

The u3a is open to anyone who is retired or semi-retired, giving the opportunity to meet others and share your knowledge and experience through open meetings, joining any of the study group and perhaps in the administrative side of Knole. The Annual membership runs from July 1st to June 30th and the current fee is £16 per person pa.

More about us

More about what we do

Study groups

Find out about our Study Groups

Join us

Find out about joining

For more information on membership please contact membership@knoleu3a.org.uk or for any other questions please visit our Contact page.


Knole u3a is affiliated to the Third Age Trust.


News items   

Knole u3a New Year 2025 Celebration Party.

All the members of Knole u3a are invited to come to our buffet lunch party on Tuesday 14th January 2025, Bat and Ball Centre, Sevenoaks starting at 12.45 for lunch at 1.15pm. 

Numbers are limited to 90 so places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Once again we have outside caterers. Cost is £25.00 per head. Please see recent email circulated to all members which gave more details and a ticket request form.  

NEW GROUPS

Lunch Group 3 has just been set up.

The Group Contact is Peter Watney email lunchgroup3@knoleu3a.org.uk. It will meet on the last Friday of the month at 1.00pm and will welcome a few more members.  If interested, contact Peter.

London Studies Group There will be a meeting to start a new London Studies Group on Tuesday 19th November 3.30pm at The Bullfinch and anyone who is interested is welcome to join us. The new Contact for that group will be Ron Edmondson email londonstudies5@knoleu3a.org.uk so if you can't make the meeting but are still interested please contact him.


Next monthly meeting at Bat and Ball hall Nov 25th 14.00

Talk title: The Kent Swing Riots.

The talk by one of our members, Alan Heyes, tells the story of the rural rebellion that took place in Kent in 1830, starting around the Sevenoaks and Orpington areas and soon spreading  across Kent and adjacent counties. They took place after a prolonged agricultural recession following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815.                                                                                                                         



Knole u3a

Registered Charity No. 1166210 

Errors or omissions?