26/10/2026
Sevenoaks Town Council is delighted that Chandlers Walk is now open, after campaigning for this important link from Sevenoaks High Street through to the cultural facilities in Suffolk Way. The walkway is now publicly accessible as work on the new Chandlers Place development at 136 High Street nears completion.
The Town Council’s Neighbourhood Development Plan sets out a vision for Sevenoaks, with a strong emphasis on creating a high-quality public realm. As part of the Plan’s Cultural Strategy, Sevenoaks Town Council identified an opportunity for an enhanced walkway between Wagamama and the old Tesco building, which formerly comprised an uninviting alleyway enclosed between two high brick walls. The opening up of this dark alleyway into a welcoming and versatile public space helps to improve pedestrian access and connectivity between key destinations across the town.
Sevenoaks Town Council has liaised with the developer, Purelake, since initial plans were discussed, with the aim of having a wide new access and walkway which encourages the public to move from the High Street to facilities including the library, museum, art gallery, Environmental Park and onto Webbs Alley linking to Knole.
Chandlers Place sits on land previously occupied by J. S. Charlton Ltd., a historic corn chandler, hence the name of the development, and the walkway. The gap between the Charlton shop and Suffolk Place was historically known as Charlton’s Yard from the mid-1920s. When Purelake redeveloped the site into a residential and retail complex, they chose the name ‘Chandlers Place’ to preserve the heritage.
The opening of Chandlers Walk provides an important new pedestrian link through the town centre, supporting the Town Council’s wider vision for a more accessible and connected Sevenoaks.
The Mayor of Sevenoaks, Cllr Victoria Granville, said, “We are so pleased to see this much-anticipated walkway now open to the public. Chandlers Walk brings different parts of the town together, providing a better link between key cultural venues and the High Street. This year, we are focusing on celebrating culture as central to community life in Sevenoaks, so improving access to cultural facilities is a welcome development. Many thanks to the Sevenoaks Town Council team for advocating for this important town centre link through the Cultural Strategy and to Purelake for delivering this excellent walkway.”
