Group Visits
You will be able to ...Discover, Explore and Enjoy
Our Heritage
Visit the brand new interactive Hop Story attraction following the story of hop picking. Walk through the original oast houses to experience Kentish life during this evocative time, bringing to life some of the sights and sounds of an age-old tradition.
Visit our hop garden and experience the poignant scent of fresh hops being grown using traditional methods of ‘stringing’ and ‘hop twiddling’ to encourage hops to grow to a height of 14 foot!
This unique period in Kentish history is further bought to life at our popular Hop Picking Festival (1-5 September 2008).
Shire Horses
Patient and gentle giants our Shire horses once worked at the Hop Farm pulling the Drays for the brewery. They now enjoy a life of leisure where visitors can get up close to see their immense size for themselves.
Feed a Shire at 12.30pm* - a chance to get close to one of our famous Shire Horses.
Dray Rides with the Shire Horses, a mini tour (10-15 mins) of the Hop Farm in one of the original Dray carts - requires pre-booking between the following times - 10.15am-11.50pm & 2.30pm-
4pm.*
* Small fee may apply.
Shire Horse Experience Day
A great Christmas present or a birthday gift for someone special, why not book a day for your loved ones with these magnificent gentle giants. To include: Show preparation · Harnessing · Have a go at driving a pair of Shires
£60 including lunch. 10.30am to 4pm.
Please call Stables Staff for details on 01622 870822
Up close with the Shires – bookable in advance only, a talk on the Shire Horse breed, outside the stables at 11am.
Finally spend time with and get up close to our smaller animal menagerie.
Animal Encounters at 12pm and 4pm gives you an opportunity to get to know some of our smaller animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas.
BRAND NEW Legends in wax
Rub shoulders with the stars of screen, stage and sport in our new ‘Legends in Wax’ exhibit. Lifelike models range from Michael Jackson to Muhammed Ali and Charlie Chaplin to Sir Winston Churchill! Not for the faint-hearted, enter the Torture Cellar where you will witness all manner of torture methods thankfully from history long since past.
NEW Oast House Terrace Tearoom
With cosy sofas and restful ambience the new Oast House tearooms make a perfect place to take a well-earned break during your Group Day Out. Groups can enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch, snack or cream tea in the self-service Roundels Country Kitchen. The restaurant is open seven days a week (10am-5pm) and on non-event days groups can pre-book meals and reserve seating together.
Gift Shop
Featuring an attractive range of gifts and children’s toys the Hop Farm Gift Shop is an ideal place to shop for that last minute gift or souvenir. Pre-booked filled goody bags can also be arranged.
We welcome any size of group any time!