POPULAR Kent tourist attraction the Hop Farm Country Park has been sold.

The Hop Farm at Beltring near Paddock Wood has been sold by owners Brent and Fiona Pollard to Kent Attractions Ltd, a tourism-focused business owned by the Kent-based Hume-Kendall family.

It is only the third time in 450 years that the complex has changed hands.

Through the deal the Hop Farm will join Kent Attractions’ other county assets Lamberhurst Vineyard and the Smart & Simple Hotel in Tunbridge Wells.

Kent Attractions chairman Simon Hume-Kendall said: "Kent is an ideal place to develop a network of tourism-focused businesses and the Hop Farm has great potential as an outdoor sporting and events venue, as shown by the success of the War & Peace Show.

"We are confident that by working closely with Kent County Council and tourism authorities it will become even more successful."

Brent Pollard, who is chairman of Kent Tourism Alliance, will acquire an interest in Kent Attractions as part of the transaction and remain at the Hop Farm in a senior executive position.

Since the Pollards bought the former Whitbread hop farm in 1997 they have improved the complex and boosted visitor numbers with popular events, including the War and Peace show and high-profile celebrity concerts.

Most recently the Hop Farm secured permission to build a holiday village of 64 chalets on the site in a project valued at £4.5million.