Kentish Scene

First time visitors to Kent are often puzzled by these brick or stone built barns with their round or square towers.

The history of the oast house is almost a microcosm of agricultural activity in 'The Garden of England' in the 19th century.

Oast houses were designed to dry hops, the climbing plants whose dried female flowers became a vital ingredient in the brewing of beer, which overtook traditional ale (brewed with just malt) in popularity. Hops add flavour and aroma to beer, making it clearer and less perishable.
Thanks to hops the modern British drink of 'bitter' was born.

Today, hops are dried industrially and the many oast houses have been converted into dwellings, offices, warehouses, shops or workshops. Even those that remain on farms are seldom used for their original purpose, often becoming simply sheds for storage or stables for horses.