Member Farm Visit | Castle Farm Kent
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
Castle Farm Shop: Integrated diversification on a family farm
Join us for a special member visit to Castle Farm Shop, proud winner of FRA Small Farm Shop of the Year 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand what makes their farm shop and family business such a success — from innovative ideas to everyday best practices.
The visit will include a guided tour, insights from the team, and plenty of time for questions and discussion with fellow members. Come away inspired with fresh ideas to take back to your own business. Lunch and refreshments also included.
Spaces are limited, so book early to secure your place!
DATE AND TIME
Wednesday 12th November 2025, 10am - 3.30pm
SCHEDULE
10AM: ARRIVAL – tea/coffee and an opportunity to wander round the shop and view the range of products on display in the packhouse.
10.45AM: Welcome talk with overview of the shop and events, by the Castle Farm Team.
11.45AM: Questions.
12.15PM: Lunch buffet.
1.15PM: Hear from our sponsor.
1.30PM: Overview of the farm, followed by tour of the site (in two groups) to see the lavender fields, hops, oast, sunflowers and orchards.
3.00PM: Tea & biscuits before depature.
TICKETS
Ticket cost: £28 + VAT, including lunch and refreshments
ACCOMMODATION
Please see below a list of accommodation suggestions:
- Little T in Shoreham Bed & Breakfast
- Darenth Hulme Barn Bed & Breakfast
- White Hill Woods- Two cosy holiday cottages in Shoreham
- Brands Hatch Place Hotel
- Brands Hatch Mecure Hotel
- The Castle Hotel in Eynsford
A little further afield;
- Stable Oak Cottages – self-catering on a lovely little farm
- Donnington Manor Hotel
- Premier Inn, Sevenoaks
___________________________________________________________
Today, Castle Farm is a thriving 1,100-acre working farm in Kent, growing arable crops, hops, sunflowers, apples, pumpkins, lavender, and grass-fed beef. Castle Farm Shop (originally The Hop Shop) began in 1985 selling dried flowers (winning multiple awards, including five Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show). The Farm Shop now offers our own farm produce, alongside seasonal decorations and locally sourced foods, gifts and Lavender toiletries, many of which are also available online for retail or trade customers.
As the UK’s largest Lavender farm, Castle Farm is home to a working distillery producing pure essential oils. To maintain visitor interest throughout the year, we host a wide range of seasonal attractions. In summer, visitors enjoy lavender walks, guided tours, wellness sessions and photography, then in the Autumn we offer apple or sunflower picking, plus a huge array of farm-grown pumpkins, before the shop turns into an Aladin’s cave of Christmas delights!
___________________________________________________________
Ticket options
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
Castle Farm Shop: Integrated diversification on a family farm
Join us for a special member visit to Castle Farm Shop, proud winner of FRA Small Farm Shop of the Year 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand what makes their farm shop and family business such a success — from innovative ideas to everyday best practices.
The visit will include a guided tour, insights from the team, and plenty of time for questions and discussion with fellow members. Come away inspired with fresh ideas to take back to your own business. Lunch and refreshments also included.
Spaces are limited, so book early to secure your place!
DATE AND TIME
Wednesday 12th November 2025, 10am - 3.30pm
SCHEDULE
10AM: ARRIVAL – tea/coffee and an opportunity to wander round the shop and view the range of products on display in the packhouse.
10.45AM: Welcome talk with overview of the shop and events, by the Castle Farm Team.
11.45AM: Questions.
12.15PM: Lunch buffet.
1.15PM: Hear from our sponsor.
1.30PM: Overview of the farm, followed by tour of the site (in two groups) to see the lavender fields, hops, oast, sunflowers and orchards.
3.00PM: Tea & biscuits before depature.
TICKETS
Ticket cost: £28 + VAT, including lunch and refreshments
ACCOMMODATION
Please see below a list of accommodation suggestions:
- Little T in Shoreham Bed & Breakfast
- Darenth Hulme Barn Bed & Breakfast
- White Hill Woods- Two cosy holiday cottages in Shoreham
- Brands Hatch Place Hotel
- Brands Hatch Mecure Hotel
- The Castle Hotel in Eynsford
A little further afield;
- Stable Oak Cottages – self-catering on a lovely little farm
- Donnington Manor Hotel
- Premier Inn, Sevenoaks
___________________________________________________________
Today, Castle Farm is a thriving 1,100-acre working farm in Kent, growing arable crops, hops, sunflowers, apples, pumpkins, lavender, and grass-fed beef. Castle Farm Shop (originally The Hop Shop) began in 1985 selling dried flowers (winning multiple awards, including five Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show). The Farm Shop now offers our own farm produce, alongside seasonal decorations and locally sourced foods, gifts and Lavender toiletries, many of which are also available online for retail or trade customers.
As the UK’s largest Lavender farm, Castle Farm is home to a working distillery producing pure essential oils. To maintain visitor interest throughout the year, we host a wide range of seasonal attractions. In summer, visitors enjoy lavender walks, guided tours, wellness sessions and photography, then in the Autumn we offer apple or sunflower picking, plus a huge array of farm-grown pumpkins, before the shop turns into an Aladin’s cave of Christmas delights!
___________________________________________________________
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