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  


 On 15th January 2024  we will hold our annual Christmas celebration party at Sevenoaks Community Hall Bat and Ball, arrive from 12.30 for 1pm. Invitations were sent to all Members some time ago and closing date for acceptances has now passed.                                                                                  Our next usual Monthly meeting will now be two weeks later on 29thJanuary when Peter Griffiths will return to give us part 2 of his amusing talk about his life in aviation.

We are pleased to inform you of the following new Knole groups. Please email the contact shown for more details.  Many thanks. 

Beginners Bridge - Meetings every Tuesday 10- 12am beginnersbridge@knoleu3a.org.uk

Computers and Smartphones - Meetings : 3rd Monday of the month computers@knoleu3a.org.uk

Knitting and Crafts for Charity - Meetings Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 2-4pm Crafts@knoleu3a.org.uk

Play Reading - Meetings 3rd Monday of the month 2.30-4.30 playreading@knoleu3a.org.uk

Science Group Programme      2023-24 

  4th January - The science behind the Covid test kit. Barrie Rooney                                                              1st February - Archaeological perspectives on the origins of the Anthropocene.                                       Professor Dorian Fuller, University College London                                                                                                      7th March - Fusion Power - the future for our energy supply. Dr Mel Draper CBE                                             4th April - Three scientists you've probably never heard of who made a huge contribution to our world.                                                                                                                                                                     9th May - Title to be confirmed


Kent History Group Programme for 2023-24 

 6th December   Jasper Strange - A printer's record of Edwardian Tunbridge Wells 

             



3rd January 

The Deer Parks of Kent

7th February 

The poor in Sevenoaks in the 1830’s: what was it really like?

6th March 

Modernist Housing in Kemsing

3rd April 

A brief history of Electric Power in Kent

1st May 

The Engineer Peter Barlow 1809-1885

5th June

Planned Field visit to Western Heights Dover/Dungess Martello Tower

3rd July 

Planned Field visit – to Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre, Sandwich

                                                                                                                          

Knole u3a

Registered Charity No. 1166210 

Errors or omissions?