Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival
Enjoy the ‘festini’ atmosphere with live and local music! Sample up to 50 varieties of beer and cider and pick our hops by hand!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September
We are looking forward to the return of this fabulous, family friendly festival in 2024. Visitors can join in with the traditional hand-picking of hops, as well as meeting historical characters from Kent’s past.
You can also sample up to 50 varieties of UK brewed ales and ciders while absorbing the fantastic live music programme.
Take time to visit one of the last working coal-fired oast houses in the country, and witness the hop-making process from picking to drying.
There’s also lots of Kent Life entertainment to enjoy, from animal encounters to tractor rides.
There will be plenty of live and local musical entertainment from established Kent acts alongside some bright upcoming stars too.
ENTERTAINMENT TO BE ANNOUNCED
ENTERTAINMENT TO BE ANNOUNCED
We will have our well-stocked UK Ales Marquee to tempt you in and tickle your tastebuds, showcasing some of the UK’s finest products from our many local breweries.
You can also be sure to find a wide and varied selection of tasty cider.
The Gin bar will return for 2024, alongside a full service bar offering wine, spirits, draught lager and soft drinks.
There will be a variety of food stalls along with our own tasty menu served from Dotty’s Tea Room, and our Wood Fired Oven in the Pizza Garden.
There will be all the awesome things Kent Life offer on an everyday visit too; animal encounters and outdoor play areas for children, paint-a-pot studio and much more; a perfect occasion to get at least three generations together for a fabulous weekend.
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Hop Picking | From 10am | Hoppers Hut Arena |
Farmyard Friends | 10am – 5pm | Farmyard Friends |
Fun and Silliness with Leanne | 10am-5pm | Site Wide |
Kids Crafts* | 10am – 5pm | Festival Site |
Meet the Owls and Exotic Animals | 11:30am – 12pm | Kent Owl Academy |
Meet Kevin the Sheep | 12pm | Village Green |
Paint a Pot ** | 12pm – 4:30pm (last paint at 4pm) | Paint a pot Studio |
Teddy Parlour*** | 12pm – 4pm | The Granary |
Feed the Pigs | 12:30pm | Pig Stys |
Disco with Mr Moo | 1pm | Big Top |
Meet Truffles the Pony | 1:30pm | Village Green |
Feed the Alpacas & Sheep | 2:30pm | Top of Site |
Meet the Owls and Exotic Animals | 2:30pm – 3pm | Kent Owl Academy |
Disco with Mr Moo | 3pm | Big Top |
Feed the Pigs | 3:30pm | Pig Stys |
Feed the Goats | 4:30pm | Top of Site |
Disco with Mr Moo | 5pm | Big Top |
- *Small charge applies
All activities are subject to weather conditions and may change at short notice
The festival began as a celebration of the humble hop – something that we are still keen to honour today.
Have a go at picking the hops by hand, fill the bushels, and enjoy the pleasant aroma as the Oast House is brought back into working life for one weekend only. Take a peek round the Hoppers Huts, where previous generations would have enjoyed their summer holidays.
Don your hop crown and enjoy the weekend.
Groups of 15+ receive a discount, please call 01622 763936.
Ticket Prices – Saturday 7th September
Admission Price | |
Adult | £15.00 |
Child (2-15) | £12.00 |
Family (2+2) | £50.00 |
Under 2s | FREE |
Kent Life Members | FREE |
Ticket Prices – Sunday 8th September
Admission Price | |
Adult | £12.00 |
Child (2-15) | £12.00 |
Family (2+2) | £44.00 |
Under 2s | FREE |
Kent Life Members | FREE |
Opening Times
Saturday 7th September: 10am – 9pm (last admission 7pm)
Sunday 8th September: 10am – 6pm (last admission 5pm)
Getting Here
There is free parking onsite.
Alternatively, you may wish to take a taxi. Local companies include:
- Apollo Taxis: 01622 882020
- Express Taxis: 01622 222222
- Streamline Maidstone: 01622 750000
Unfortunately, it is not possible to run the festival bus from the stations to Kent Life this year.
CARD PAYMENTS
We are happy with cash or card payments. Please note that cash only stands may be in operation.
DOGS
We do allow dogs at this event as long as they are well behaved, on short leads and are cleaned up after. Unfortunately, they are not allowed in the catering areas, cuddle corner or the Kent Owl Academy (as they may inadvertently upset the birds).
SMOKING/VAPING
Smoking/vaping is not permitted inside of any of our buildings including the Beer Tent. We would ask that you use the designated smoking areas and ashtrays provided.
- EXPLORE Find out all about the amazing parts of our site that make Kent Life such a fun day out!
- PLAN YOUR VISIT Opening times, prices, how to get here, and annual memberships.
- EVENTS We've got events for all, all year round- from our annual hop festival to Christmas and Fireworks celebrations!
- ABOUT US We've been going quite some time - as has Kent! Check out our story here.