KENTSTAYCATION
DISCOVER Swale CONT .
Historic and pretty Faversham is the oldest market town in Kent . Recorded in the Doomsday Book and bursting with character , stories and intrigue , visitors to Faversham can get a real taste of the county , past and present . With over 300 listed buildings working as a reminder of its extraordinary industrial past , as well as inns , tea rooms and a historic market place , visitors can fully immerse themselves in the detailed identity of Faversham when visiting . Get lost in the charm and bustle of the ancient market and its vendors selling everything from fresh produce , unique gifts , local crafts and artisan products . As well as being home to Kent ' s oldest market , the Charter Market , Faversham , hosts a range of themed markets such as the Best of Faversham , and an Antiques and Vintage Market . Feed your need for knowledge of Faversham at The Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre ( www . favershamsociety . org / fleur-de-lismuseum ), which provides a full history of the town all the way from the early Iron Age settlements right up to the vast prosperity of Elizabethan times . Faversham Town Walks offer guided 90-minute tours which start at the Fleur de Lis Museum and go on to explore the town ’ s fascinating sites , stories and tales .
The town is also home to Britain ' s Oldest Brewer , Shepherd Neame , ( www . shepherdneame . co . uk ) who have been brewing beer since 1698 . It is the hops that grew on Kent ’ s rich , fertile soil that began beer brewing centuries before with Faversham always being a key location for the process . With more than 300 pubs throughout London and the South East , the brewery has a popular visitors centre and offers award-winning guided tours which include an interesting tasting session . Learn about the ancient art of brewing up close , see fermentation vessels , taste natural mineral water from the brewery ’ s well , try some malted barley and smell locally grown Kentish hops . The 80-minute tour also includes a visit to the Old Brewery Store , which features impressive displays of historic delivery vehicles , a recreated coopers ’ workshop , bygone pub signs and a collection of hop picking memorabilia . It ends back in the Visitor Centre with a tutored tasting of Shepherd Neame ’ s Kentish ales and speciality lagers before visitors have the chance to visit the brewery shop and pick up a souvenir , gift or some of their favourite beer .
Experience the glorious Garden of England in all its splendour at Brogdale Farm ( www . brogdalefarm . co . uk ) in Faversham . Brogdale Collections ( www . brogdalecollections . org ) is the home to the National Fruit Collection , offering everything from orchard walks and tours , and courses on topics including gardening , cordial making , foraging and bee-keeping , as well as orchard crafts , wild cooking , tractor trailer rides and a play area for children . The Marketplace at Brogdale Farm is also well worth a visit , hosting a unique collection of independent local shops , a cosy café and specialist garden centre .
FAVERSHAM
SHEPHERD NEAME
BROGDALE COLLECTIONS
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