Apples and orchards are synonymous with the Kentish countryside and for many of the county’s National Trust properties harvest time is the perfect time to share knowledge of caring for orchards and apples.

The National Trust kicks off its harvest days across the county and the south east this weekend, when visitors can try apple pressing, tasting sweet treats or picking up items with apple goodness to take home.

The first this weekend is at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst which is the National Trust’s one and only hop farm.

As part of its Hops and Honey Weekend ,you can join a guided hop walk, which will show you how hops are grown, how they’re picked and their drying and packaging ready to be sent to the Westerham brewery. The weekend on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9, between 10am and 4pm has walks at 11am and 2pm. Also on show will be the Hopping Down and Family of Hop Pickers sculptures by Simon Conolly, showing hop pickers and hop picking in the area from days gone by, which will be in the garden until December.

At Smallhythe Place in Tenterden, Orchard Day comes on Saturday, September 15, between 11am and 4pm. Visitors can explore the garden, traditional orchard and nuttery on the day and sample produce from the property, and peruse stalls with local produce. From fresh produce straight from the trees, to plants, tasty treats and garden gifts, the day out will help the family get back to nature. The event is free with normal admission costs.

On Saturday, September 29, Ightham Mote will hold its Apple and Orchard Day between 11am and 4pm. The orchard at Ightham Mote is home to a variety of heritage apple trees, which you can try before you buy to take home. Along with the apples from the orchard, there will be a mini-market featuring a number of stalls with themed local products, and of course, plenty of apple-based dishes on offer in the tea room. The event is free with normal admission costs.

The trust is a conservation charity which is entirely independent of the government, and looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 778 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information on the National Trust’s work and days out go to nationaltrust.org.uk