The deer

Knole Park is one of the only surviving medieval deer parks in Britain. The park was created in 1456 when Archbishop Bourchier first enclosed the area with a fence to make a park for deer hunting. Fallow deer have freely roamed the park since them. Today it is home to a herd of over 350 captive fallow deer.

Fawns

Fallow deer give birth between May and July. If you come across a fawn alone in the undergrowth in spring or early summer you may worry that the young animal has been abandoned by its mother. This is not the case; the young deer has been carefully left hidden while its mother feeds nearby. Do not be tempted to touch the fawn or pick it up, your scent may stop the mother returning to feed her baby. It is very important that fawns are left undisturbed.

Rutting season

Rutting Season runs in Autumn from late September to early November. During rutting season deer may behave more aggressively than usual and it is very important to keep your distance. If you have a dog please ensure it is kept on a lead at all times and that you stay at least 100m away from deer during rutting season.

Culling

In order to keep the herd healthy approximately one third of the deer are culled each year. Culling takes place over the winter months. Knole Park has a dedicated Park Keeper who carefully monitors the deer and their health on a daily basis.

Wild Animals

The deer in the Park are used to seeing Park visitors but please remember that they are wild animals. Please do keep your distance and do not attempt to pet or feed them. Deer can become dangerous when they are startled or threatened.