Kent Life’s annual tasty celebration of the county’s hops and their harvest goes back to its roots this weekend.

The Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9 brings a festival atmosphere to the farming attraction in Sandling, Maidstone, with many varieties of locally-brewed ales, beer and ciders.

The popular festival returns to its roots this year, with traditional hand-picking of hops and the chance to meet historical characters from the past.

There will also be two live music stages with acts on both days, including The Gallerys, Skinners Rats, Katie Kittermaster and Pearly Kings and Queens.

Visitors can also enjoy looking around one of the last working coal-fired oast houses in the country and for little ones, Sooty will be staging his 70th anniversary show in the Big Top over the weekend, plus a Family Play zone at the bottom of the hill.

The festival began as a celebration of the humble hop and is as popular today as ever.

Visitors can have go at picking the hops by hand, filling the bushels, and enjoy the aroma as the Oast House is brought back into working life for one weekend only.

There’s also the chance to take a peek around the old Hoppers’ Huts, where previous generations would have enjoyed their summer holidays.

The festivities run from 10am to 11pm on the Saturday and 10am to 6pm on the Sunday.

There is a special festival bus from Maidstone on the Saturday for £1 each way as there is limited on-site parking. You can download a timetable online.

Entry costs £12 on the gate but £10.80 online for the Saturday for adults, and £9.95 or £8.95 for the Sunday. For details and to book go to kentlife.org.uk