Kent has earned its nickname as the Garden of England partly on the back of hops — the county has grown them for the beer world for centuries. This experience takes you deep into that story at Hukins Hops, a working farm near Tenterden, and it's a world away from the usual brewery tour: instead of a brewhouse, you spend your visit out among the towering hop gardens that supply Britain's craft breweries. Whether you're a curious first-timer or a seasoned beer geek, it's a rare chance in Kent to connect the raw ingredient with the finished pint — before settling in for a beer in the farm taproom.

What you'll do

Your guided visit begins out in the hop gardens themselves, where you'll walk beneath bines trained up to eighteen feet high and learn how different hop varieties are selected and grown to meet the demands of today's fast-moving craft beer market — and how those hops go on to shape the aroma and flavour of the beer you drink. From there you'll head into the modern picking and processing facility to see the machinery in action, discovering how great British engineering and modern technology combine to pick, dry and process hundreds of thousands of hop plants during the short, intense weeks of harvest.

Throughout, your guide shares the story of Kent's long hop-growing heritage and explains what it means for the county's brewing today, from the fields around you to the pint in your hand. Once the tour wraps up, there's time to unwind in the on-site taproom at your own pace, with beer and food available to buy so you can raise a glass to the harvest before you head home.

Good to know

• Tours last approximately 2 hours, with 11am, 1pm and 3pm slots on selected Saturdays during the season
• Meet at the taproom: Hukins Hops, Haffenden Farms, Bugglesden Rd, St Michaels, Tenterden TN30 6TG
• A great fit for hop lovers and beer enthusiasts alike, whether you're an amateur or an experienced drinker
• Children are welcome and attend free with a paying adult
• Groups are capped at around 20 people
• Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable after purchase