Hop Pickers, Craft and Country Fair At Tenterden and Bodiam Stations
5th and 6th September 2026
This weekend we will be celebrating our hop picking history, artisan crafts, countryside activties and championing local businesses.
Come along and join the fun!
Entry to the event is included in train travel. Platform tickets are also available on the day
At Tenterden Station
Traction engines will be on display
A variety of local craftspeople and traders will be offering a wide range of products to tempt you over the weekend. A couple of examples of traders who will be coming along are below but check back regularly for further updates.
We are exciting to be working in collaboration with Craft and Coffee Vigo for the second year running who will be bringing along unique and local craft stalls including 3-D printing and memory bears.
Come along and support local small businesses and treat yourself to a unique gift.
DLS Candles selling home-made Soy scented candles
Glasswizard Art with bespoke stained glass art
At Bodiam Station
Enjoy a variety of crafts, demonstrations and entertainment throughout the weekend including quilting, lace making and weaving
Les Langley Chainsaw artist will be creating beautiful wildlife scupltures
E-roots creations will be making hand forged metal items and giving regular live forge demonstrations
Meet some of the Great Dixter team, who will be whittling, making hurdles and explaining greenwood working techniques and the tools used
Bee Kind Club will be sharing their passion for bees and selling a selection of bee related merchandise
Rachel's Cosplay coop - rescue hens will be happy to pose for photos over the weekend.
Learn about the art of basket weaving with Marianne of Crafty Basketry who will join us on Sunday
Help us Celebrate our Hopping Story
September is traditionally when the hopping season would have started.
Take a trip down memory lane, learning all about hop picking in the local area.
Have you ever been up close to the magic ingredient that helps to make your beer? Visit our hop garden where you will be able to touch and smell the hops.
Our replica hoppers hut will be open for visitors to see how hop pickers would have lived. Learn more about the history of hop picking and the local Bodiam area with Bodiam volunteers Vic and Colin.
Our staff will be dressing for the occasion and you can enjoy a display of hopping equipment.
Pick up your on-board hopping activity sheets to enjoy while you travel through the Rother Valley.
enjoy a selection of cold refreshments from the bodiam shop.
Music will be supplied by Four Teas and One Sugar on Saturday and the Stringles Sunday
Morris Dancing will take place throught the weekend with Anderida Border Morris joining us on Saturday and Wolfshead Vixen Morris and Ruxleys Crew on Sunday
