Shepherd Neame Brewery Visitor Centre
Explore Britain's oldest brewery, a 300-year-old institution offering fascinating tours and tutored beer tastings.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal experience
Shepherd Neame Brewery Visitor Centre
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal experience
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore Britain's oldest brewery, a 300-year-old institution offering fascinating tours and tutored beer tastings.
"Highly recommend the tour and beer tasting! Learned a lot and enjoyed every moment."
🎯 Book Tours Ahead
Popular tours, especially with tasting, fill up fast. Secure your spot online to avoid disappointment.
🍺 Embrace the Tasting
Don't just drink; learn! The tutored tasting is a highlight for understanding beer flavors.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Brewing Process Tour
Step-by-step explanation of how Britain's oldest brewery crafts its famous ales and lagers. Learn the history and science behind each pint.
Tutored Beer Tasting
Sample up to six different lagers, ales, and stouts. Discover the unique flavors and learn to appreciate the craft behind each brew.
Brewery History
Delve into the rich heritage of Britain's oldest brewery, exploring its centuries-old traditions and evolution.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Brewery Tour in Advance
Arrive Ready to Learn and Taste
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tours Ahead
Popular tours, especially with tasting, fill up fast. Secure your spot online to avoid disappointment.
🍺 Embrace the Tasting
Don't just drink; learn! The tutored tasting is a highlight for understanding beer flavors.
🚶♀️ Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be on your feet for the tour, so comfortable footwear is a must for exploring the brewery.
🛍️ Explore the Shop
The shop offers a full range of Shepherd Neame beers and branded merchandise.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tours Ahead
Popular tours, especially with tasting, fill up fast. Secure your spot online to avoid disappointment.
🍺 Embrace the Tasting
Don't just drink; learn! The tutored tasting is a highlight for understanding beer flavors.
🚶♀️ Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be on your feet for the tour, so comfortable footwear is a must for exploring the brewery.
🛍️ Explore the Shop
The shop offers a full range of Shepherd Neame beers and branded merchandise.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the informative and engaging brewery tours, highlighting the knowledgeable guides and the fascinating history of Britain's oldest brewery. The tutored beer tasting is a significant draw, offering a delightful way to learn about and sample a variety of Shepherd Neame's offerings. While the tour price is noted, most feel the experience is well worth the cost for the educational value and enjoyable tasting.
"The tour starts at Visitor centre and a swift one before your set off.
Our Hosts Sam and Martin were brilliant and made the visit worthwhile.
As a local lad growing up in faversham I always wondered what went on behind the gates in North lane and today Martin revealed all. Informative, well managed and a pleasurable time well spent here.
And of course at the end the product tasting, I was amazed at the actual aromas and flavours in our local beers and lagers, not something you realise on a pub crawl.
Truly enjoyable time spent here"
Paul Knowles
"A very first time visit to the Britain's oldest brewery. The tour was informative and tour guide made us welcome with his friendly talk. He explained the whole brewing process step by step and the history of the site. At the end, tasting experience was great. Btw good to know about beer rather then just drink 😜. Worth the visit."
UK Photo Journey
"I could not recommend the tour and beer tasting highly enough! I came here for an afternoon outing with my family and we enjoyed every moment! Our tour guide Nick, was extremely informative and gave us a great look around the brewery and explained the intense process that goes into making the beer. I learned a lot about beer that I did not know before, and about the long history at Britain’s oldest brewery.
We also had a great beer tasting, and I really enjoyed learning about Shepard Neame’s most popular and well loved beers. This is a great afternoon out and you will not be disappointed."
Imogen Boullé
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Visitor Centre is located in Faversham, Kent. It's easily accessible by train from London, with Faversham station being a short walk away. Driving is also an option, with parking available nearby. Check local transport links for the most convenient route.
Yes, there are several car parks within walking distance of the Shepherd Neame Brewery Visitor Centre in Faversham. It's advisable to check local signage for the nearest and most cost-effective options.
While the main attraction is the guided tour, you can visit the brewery shop. However, to experience the brewing process and tasting, booking a tour is essential.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The tour price is currently £25 per person. It's recommended to check the official Shepherd Neame website for the most up-to-date pricing and any potential package deals.
Yes, booking your brewery tour in advance is highly recommended, especially for the popular tasting sessions. This ensures you secure a spot on your desired date and time.
A typical tour includes a guided walk through the brewery, an explanation of the brewing process and history, and a tutored tasting of several Shepherd Neame beers.
Opening hours can vary, so it's best to check the official Shepherd Neame website for the most current information on tour times and shop hours.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The brewery tour typically lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours, including the tasting session. This allows ample time to explore the site and ask questions.
While children are welcome to accompany adults on the tour, the tasting portion is for those aged 18 and over. The historical and process information may be more engaging for older children and adults.
Photography is generally permitted in most areas of the brewery during the tour, but it's always a good idea to check with your guide if there are any specific restrictions in certain areas.
The tutored tasting allows you to sample up to six different Shepherd Neame beers, learning about their unique characteristics and flavor profiles from an expert guide.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While the Visitor Centre focuses on tours and tastings, there are often evening meal and beer tasting events available. Check the Shepherd Neame website for details on these special offerings.
Faversham town centre, a short walk from the brewery, offers a variety of pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal before or after your tour.
📸 📸 Photography
The historic buildings, brewing equipment, and the tasting room offer great photo opportunities. Capture the unique atmosphere of Britain's oldest brewery.
Drone usage is typically restricted at historical sites and operational breweries due to safety and privacy concerns. It's best to assume this is not permitted unless explicitly stated otherwise.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For families looking for a more interactive experience, it might be worth checking if Shepherd Neame offers any special events or tours that are more broadly appealing. Otherwise, parents might consider splitting up if one parent wishes to participate in the tasting while the other supervises children, or focus on the historical narrative of the brewery. The shop also offers a chance to pick up souvenirs.
🍺 Beer Enthusiasts
The tutored tasting session is particularly valuable, offering a chance to sample a range of their popular and perhaps lesser-known brews. This is your opportunity to refine your palate, understand the complexities of flavor profiles, and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into every pint. Many enthusiasts leave with a newfound appreciation for Shepherd Neame's portfolio and a deeper understanding of the brewing art.
🏛️ History Buffs
Beyond the brewing process itself, the architecture and the very fabric of the brewery tell tales of the past. Guides often share fascinating anecdotes and historical context that bring the site to life. It’s an opportunity to connect with a tangible piece of British industrial and cultural heritage, making the visit both educational and deeply engaging for anyone interested in historical narratives.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Heritage of Shepherd Neame
Visitors often remark on how informative the guides are regarding the company's history, making the experience more than just a brewery tour but a journey through local and national brewing heritage. Understanding this context enhances the appreciation for the beers produced today, connecting the present-day pints to a legacy of craftsmanship and resilience. It’s this deep historical root that sets Shepherd Neame apart and makes the Visitor Centre a compelling destination for history buffs and beer enthusiasts alike.
Understanding the Brewing Process
Many visitors express surprise at the detailed explanation of the brewing process, noting how much they learned beyond just the consumption of beer. The tour highlights the dedication to quality and tradition that underpins their operations. This educational aspect is a significant draw, transforming a casual visit into a genuinely insightful experience. The opportunity to see the actual brewing equipment in action, or understand its historical significance, adds a tangible dimension to the learning.
The Art of Beer Tasting
Attendees often rave about how much they learned during the tasting, gaining a new perspective on their favorite beers and discovering new ones. It’s a chance to develop your palate and understand what makes each lager, ale, or stout unique. This guided experience is frequently cited as a reason why visitors highly recommend the tour, as it adds significant value to the overall visit and provides practical knowledge that can be enjoyed long after leaving the brewery.
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