Handmade and Homegrown Festival at Hever Castle

Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13

You don’t get much more Kentish than cobnuts and they’ll be among the treats at Hever this weekend. Some 40 artisan producers will be setting up shop in the craft and food marquee, where you can also try marshmallows, cheeses and chocolate. Producers will also be able to impart their knowledge on setting up a smallholding for those interested. Daily sewing workshops for young and old will be laid on and the Quilters’ Guild will be showing off their work. You can also have an artistic afternoon, drawing caricatures at a family art workshop.

Details: Normal castle admission fees of £16 apply. Gardens open at 10.30am, castle at noon, last admission 4.30pm. More at www.hevercastle.co.uk

Hops 'n' Harvest Beer Festival, Kent Life

Saturday, September 12 and Sunday September 13

Pull up a bale of hay and raise a glass to the hop. Kent Life’s annual celebration of the hopping season will have more than 40 varieties of beer and 19 of cider. You can also have a go at hop picking yourself and meet some characters from the past, including the Oasties, Tally Man plus a few Pearly Kings and Queens. There’s also a chance to see one of the last working oast houses fired up. There’s also a Pimm’s garden. Live music will be on the Goldings Main Stage – named after the attraction’s hops – from 11am into the evening.

Details: Entry from £8, for information go to www.kentlife.org.uk

The Leeds Castle Food Festival

Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13

Treat your tastebuds by tucking in at the regal setting of Leeds Castle. Artisan bakers, local micro-breweries and pulled pork barbecues will set up their stalls in the castle grounds for three days. Food from across the globe will be represented alongside the county’s best cider, marshmallows, cheese, cakes and ice-cream. A food and drink theatre complete with hay bale seating will stage cookery demonstrations and talks from experts. The Kent Cookery School will be showing how to rustle up breakfast, lunch and dinner using local produce.

Details: Entry is free with a ticket to the castle which is £19. Grounds open at 10am, last admission 4.30pm. More at www.leeds-castle.com

Plough Inn Beer Festival, Stalisfield

Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12

A first for this tucked away pub on the top of North Downs that’s well worth the time trying to find. A total of 20 real ales and some live music will be on offer with the fun running from noon on both days. Stalisfield is between Faversham and Charing.

Details: Go to www.theploughinnstalisfield.co.uk

Thanet Farmers’ Market

Sunday, September 13

A mouthwatering array of local ciders, beers, jams and other Kent goodies from eggs and bread to cheese and meat will all be vying for your attention at the market, held at Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs.

Details: The market runs between 9.30am and pm. Find out more on Twitter @ThanetFarmMkt