26th & 27th August 2023
A weekend of outdoor, family fun in the heart of Kent’s countryside
Brogdale’s Cider Festival is back! Taking place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, it’s sure to be a popular event with visitors this summer.
With a fabulous programme of live music, plenty of fun activities for the kids along with food and drink galore – there’s something for everyone. Set in Brogdale’s beautiful orchards, there’s also plenty of hands-on rural stuff to get stuck into with apple juicing for the kids, cider tasting for the adults and tours of the fabulous National Fruit Collections.
Brogdale is located just outside Faversham which is only an hour on the train from London. With a free shuttle bus from the station to the Cider Festival, it’s such an easy journey for day trips from the Big Smoke.
Live music
With three stages hosting some of the best local bands – the Cider Festival is a great opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy some singing and dancing. With a mixture of folk, jazz, swing, pop and country – there’s something for all musical tastes.
Check out the great acts who will be performing:
Saturday 26th August
- The 286 – 7-piece band with a fantastic mix rock and roll riffs with cellos and violins to create an all unique sound.
- Beard Conspiracy – fast paced tango, classical and klezmer with an eclectic blend of contemporary classics.
- Gone Country – Country music only more fun!
- Tim Edey – BBC Radio Two’s Folk Awards Best Musician of the year and multi award winning guitarist.
- Pete’s Corner Big Band – 22-piece Dutch Jazz group.
- Pilgrim’s Hospice Session Band
Sunday 27th August
- Hullabaloo – a fantastic 4-piece jazz-swing, rock n roll, party pop band.
- Certified Madness – a nutty tribute band from Kent.
- Bread and Butter Band – fun, high energy covers Duo, buttering tunes from Past to Present complete with audience dressing up box.
- Samba Pelo Mar – Whitstable’s community Samba band playing uplifting and dynamic Samba with traditional samba drums and percussion instruments.
- Rhythm Fish – one of Kent’s finest cover bands.
- Native Oysters – playing traditional second line classics and originals through to full on 70’s funk.
- Let’s Go Clubbing – fun two person juggling show charting a journey through the history of club music starting with Disco up to the modern day.

It’s all about the apples and cider
The clue is in the name and if you love cider, you’re going to enjoy every minute of Brogdale’s Cider Festival. There’s plenty of artisan cider from local producers for you to try – over 40 varieties in fact – and visitors can take part in the Cider Trail to taste all the ciders and vote for their favourite. One lucky participant will win a hamper full of cider/
There will also be demonstrations for those who fancy learning the fine art of cider making. Visitors can also learn all about the apple varieties at Brogdale by taking part in a guided tour where they can taste some unusual and delicious apple specimens
Kent is well known as the Garden of England and renowned for its orchards and apples. So, it’s not surprising that we have some terrific local cider producers.
Taking part in the Cider Festival weekend are:
- Biddenden Vineyard– winner of Cider of the Year at this year’s Taste of Kent Awards. Come and try their award-winning Ice Cider made from Kentish grown Egremont Russet and Bramley apples.
- Brogdale Cider– Brogdale makes its own delicious ciders and juices from the Heritage Fruits at Brogdale Farm. Wholly Pig Dry, Medium, Pear of Pigs, Curious Brew lager and cold Brogdale. Pressed in the traditional manner on their twin-bed rack and cloth press. Cider demos also available.
- Hernhill Cider– small batches of traditional Kentish cider made using only freshly pressed juice from their own small orchard.
- Kent Cider Company– great variety of traditional & dry to cloudy apple or real fruit ciders such as Rhubarb or Lemon. Voted winner of Brogdale’s Cider Trail for four years in a row now with Rhubarb (twice), Yowler and most recently with their real fruit Lemon cider in 2022.
- Kentish Pip– their ambition is to create outstanding cider with impeccable core values. Carefully pairing apple varieties with cultured yeast including wine and champagne yeasts to promote its distinct flavour.
- Longtail Cider– made from apples grown in orchards in north west Kent, fermented with wild yeasts.
- Mad Cat Brewery– will be opening their bar here at Brogdale and serving their craft beers made with Kent hops. Tours of their brewery are also available.
- Turners Cider– awarded Muddy Stillettos Award for Best Food and Drink Producer in Kent 2023.
- Wise Owl Cider– award-winning Medium Lightly Sparkling Cider, Dry Cider, Pear Cider and even fruiter flavours, cherry, Mango, Strawberry, Blood Orange and Blueberry. The secret to Wise Owl Cider is a blend of 8 different varieties of apples all grown and harvested locally.
- Non cider lovers can enjoy a range of cocktails and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Kids’ fun
They might not be able to sample the cider, but there’s plenty of awesome stuff the kids can enjoy.
- Ralphus The Undead Poet – the world’s greatest zombie poet will be performing family comedy and amazing story-telling – not to be missed!
- Ukulele Class – fun, have-a-go sessions for beginners with Learn Ukulele East Kent.
- Willow Crafts – decorate a beautiful wand or crown to take home with you.
- Apple Juicing – learn how apple juice is made as you help in the process to create and taste fresh juice.
- Wild Classroom – help make seasonal dishes over the campfire.
- Face Painting – choose your fabulous look with paint and glitter!
- Meet Reptiles – get up close with snakes, lizards and reptiles (if you are brave enough).
- Giant Kites and Teddy Parachuting – watch and fly the magnificent kits and bring a teddy so they can experience parachuting!
- Bouncy Castle – the large pirate ship is back!
- Trifle Eating Competition – for kids and big kids, prizes to be won!
- Festival Games – lots of fun games to take part in!
- Juggling Show and Workshop – watch the exciting performance and then learn the tricks
- Bee Exhibition – learn all about our friends the bees.
- Seed Swap – take seeds home to plant in your garden.
- Animal corner – come and see some farm animals.
- Plus, the Miniature Railway – take a ride around the orchards.

Scrumptious local food
There will be a delicious range of pop up food and drink stalls including: Raymondo’s shaved ice, waffles and snow cones, Godmersham Grills burgers, Specs and Bear raclette and hot dogs, Tonibell dairy and vegan ice-cream, The Thirsty Farrier cocktails, Foxys Firewood pizza, Posh Nosh pulled pork, Dunk homemade cookies, Naked Espresso coffee, Grain and Hearth brownies, sourdough.
Enjoy arts and crafts
There will be a fabulous selection of craft stalls at the Festival, selling a range of handmade goodies including wood carvings, pottery, candles, pictures, toys, jewellery, accessories, customised gifts and more!
The Glambulance will also be in attendance – an ex-ambulance converted into a mobile beauty salon for nails, offering some extra-special pampering for adults and kids!
How to book
Booking is essential and tickets can be ordered via Brogdale Collections’ website here.
Prices:
Family – £35 (2 adults & 2 children 3-15yrs)
Adult – £15 (16yrs+)
Concession – £13 (Students & 60+)
Child – £5 (3-15 yrs, under 3’s free)
About Brogdale Collections
Brogdale Farm is home to the National Fruit Collection – which is the world’s largest collection of temperate fruits. Brogdale Collections is the charity which looks after the public’s access to this collection including events, education, tastings and tours.
By visiting the Cider Festival, visitors will be helping to support this very important charity and ensuring the rare and heritage fruits at Brogdale are shared with the public and preserved for years to come.
For more information about the charity click here.
How to get here
Brogdale Collections is located at Brogdale Farm, just outside Faversham in Kent. Click on the link here for full address and map.
Free shuttle bus
There will be a free shuttle bus between Faversham Railway Station and Brogdale Farm. So why not leave the car at home, relax and enjoy a wonderful day in the country?