Kent Life, spanning 28 acres, traces its roots back to the historic Sandling Farm, once part of the sprawling Allington Castle estate owned by Thomas Wyatt in the mid-16th century. Over time, the estate passed through various hands, including the Tyrwhitt-Drake family, who added a unique touch with a small zoo, including a donkey painted with zebra stripes. After Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake’s bequest to Maidstone, the site evolved into ‘The Museum of Kent Life’ in 1985, showcasing the region’s heritage as a working farm. Through meticulous restoration efforts, historic buildings from across Kent were saved from demolition and reconstructed on-site, offering visitors a glimpse into the county’s past. Today, Kent Life stands as a rare testament to tradition, where hops are cultivated and processed using age-old techniques in its iconic Oast house.