As a fifth-generation family farm, heritage is at our heart, but we are also evolving. The Times recently featured us and one of our new diversification: the opening of The Hop House Taproom @mccannsbrewery located in our old oast.
Within the article The Times recently featured us as the “ultimate ‘Britcation’,” and for a 5th-generation family farm, that felt like quite the compliment. In her piece, journalist Liz Edwards captured the appeal of Haffenden Farm beautifully, writing that visitors can “simultaneously drink in the view and its produce.” That line says it all. This is not a rushed getaway or a polished imitation of country life; it is the real thing.
For guests looking to swap a flight for a pint in the Garden of England, the experience feels both grounded and indulgent. Liz also highlighted the “leafy vistas” and the feeling of “getting back to nature” without leaving the UK, which is exactly what makes a stay here so memorable. You get the restorative charm of the countryside, the exquisite detail of a working hop farm, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that everything around you has roots in place, people and purpose.
We are especially proud to be the only hop farm in the UK where you can actually stay. Visitors can enjoy a complete farm-to-glass experience: take a tour of the hop gardens, discover the brewing process with a brewery tour, and then relax with food and drink at the taproom overlooking the hop gardens.
Inside McCanns Brewery, Taproom & Cabins
While you’re here on the farm, the hospitality is hosted by our partners at McCanns Brewery. The brewery and taproom are housed in our old oast; a beautiful 1945 “American style” red-brick building, full of character and local charm. Liz described the taproom as a “cosy” spot that mixes “trad pub spindle-leg chairs and hop-festooned beams with whitewashed brickwork,” which is about as perfect a summary as you could hope for. It has that rare balance of being stylish without trying too hard: relaxed, welcoming and unmistakably rooted in the farm.
They brew around 20 varieties of beer, from traditional ales under the McCanns name to more modern craft brews for their sister brand, Twisted Wheel. Liz and her family clearly did not waste the opportunity, enjoying a “thorough appraisal” of the options and pairing a New Zealand IPA with a homemade steak-and-ale pie. Frankly, that sounds like the sort of field research we can all get behind.
The stay is just as impressive. The boutique hoppers huts feature “smart decor, hops garlands and hot tubs,” bringing together refined comfort and the authentic atmosphere of the farm.
Each hoppers hut is named after a hop we grow here on the farm and that variety of garland hangs in each to add that final flourish, linking the huts back to the surrounding hops and the heritage of the land itself. Liz also shared one of the most poetic moments from her stay: “we were all lying in the hot tub, but some of us were looking at the stars.” If that does not sum up the ultimate Britcation, we are not sure what does.
A 5th Generation Legacy
Hukins Hops provides the authentic backbone to the farm. Ross Hukins, our 5th generation farmer, has remapped the business with a focus on biodiversity and premium British hops, ensuring that our heritage continues to evolve rather than stand still. As he explains, that means “creating woodland and wetland on the farm” while also making sure British brewers have access to world-class hops grown right here in Kent. It is a practical vision, but also a passionate one, rooted in the belief that traditional farming can still lead the way when it is backed by care, craft and long-term thinking.
That same farm story carries through into the guest experience. Our decorative hop garlands are hung above the beds in the McCanns cabins, gently releasing natural compounds that are “said to help you drift off.” It is a small but memorable detail, and one that makes the connection between Hukins Hops and the wider Haffenden Farm experience feel tangible. We grow, pick, dry, press and preserve with purpose, and these garlands are one more way guests can enjoy the harvest beyond the glass.
Visit Us or Bring Hops Home
Ready for your own Britcation? Whether you want to explore the farm in person or bring a touch of its atmosphere home, there are a few easy ways to do it.
- Book a Hop Farm Tour to see the bines up close and learn about our 120-year heritage (To book email: info@hukins-hops.co.uk).
- Visit McCanns Brewery to book a stay in one of the luxury cabins, a brewery tour, or a table in the taproom.
- Can’t make it to Kent? You can buy the same decorative hop garlands featured in the article to enjoy in your own home all year round. As Liz noted in her “Insider Tip,” you can order these directly through our website or if you would prefer, email louisa@hukins-hops.co.uk
It is all part of the same story: a working hop farm, a distinctive brewery experience, and a slice of Kentish heritage that you can either visit, sip, or hang proudly at home.
