Kent Green Hop beers will take centre stage at the South East’s largest Real Ale & Cider Festival, which is set to return next month.

The Spa Valley Railway festival, which will take place in Tunbridge Wells, will showcase a raft of beers that include 200 real ales, 40 distinctive Kent Green Hop beers, 14 keg beers and also 70 ciders.

The festival is one the country’s largest gatherings of Kent Green Hop beers, which are brewed with freshly harvested hops from Kent’s hop gardens.

These will be poured at festival bars located at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge and Eridge stations while heritage trains link the venues, turning the “journey itself into part of the festival experience”.

Entry to all festival sites is free with celebrations started at Tunbridge Wells West on Thursday 15 October, with the full three-station festival and heritage train services running from Friday to Sunday.

Jonnie Pay, general manager of the Spa Valley Railway, said: “This is far more than a beer festival – it is a journey through great flavours, live entertainment and railway heritage.

“Visitors can step aboard a train, travel between three lively festival venues and discover an extraordinary choice of drinks, all against the beautiful backdrop of the High Weald.

“Whether you are a dedicated ale enthusiast, a cider lover or simply looking for a brilliant day out with friends and family, this is an October date not to miss.”