Over the Gate

Crow wing · Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 632 Location: England

As some of you may know I live in a part of the country that was once famous for the production of hops. So yesterday I paid a visit to the Whitbread hop farm.

The shires for which the farm was once famous seem to have sadly been reduced to just 2 pairs.

Some of the old drays in the museum.

How about this for a ringer, the terrier racing was won by a whippet!!

A parade of Newfoundlands with their drays. Apologies to the bald woman I didnt realise she was in shot)

Ferret racing.

The usual falconry display.

But for some the afternoon was just too much like hard work!

NZPOME · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: New Zealand

Thanks for sharing the photos.

Where abouts was it you went to, I'm a Bedfordshire lass and Whitbreads had it's head office in Luton. my home town!

Boy those pigs are ugly! :hello2:
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Crow wing · Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 632 Location: England

The hop farm is at Paddock Wood, about 5 miles from Tonbridge. When I was younger the whole surrounding area was hop gardens but not any more.

NZPOME · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: New Zealand

It's a shame eh! Lovely setting.
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storm · Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2529 Location: Hampshire

Great pics.

I remember following the hop carts along the road but not any more. The smell of the hops when they are brewing is very strong. Where do they get them from nowdays?

bodger · Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 7:52 am Post subject:

This is just the sort of post that I was hoping this section would attract

So, thats two places that OTG forum folk might wish to visit.
Well done Crow wing, it looks as though you had a good day out. Now how about some other places being put on the OTG map ? :-) :-) :-)
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Pheasant Plucker · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject:

Bazzer · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:33 am Post subject:

Us London ragamuffins used to go "Hopping" for our holidays. :pale:

You could spend a few days in that area.
Chartwell House.
Hever Castle.
Leeds Castle.
Chatham Historic Dock yard.
Rochester.
Canterbury.
Whitstable. etc. etc.

Done them all and all worth a visit. In fact for those of you up t'north or in the areas a bit further afield I would recommend a week or twos holiday in "The Garden of England".

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petal · Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 155 Location: Kent