Britain's Oldest Brewer

Faversham is home to Shepherd Neame, Britain’s Oldest Brewer. brewing has continued on this site for centuries, and while 1698 is the Brewery's official founding date, there is clear evidence that its heritage pre-dates even this period.

Faversham's first known link with brewing follows the founding of the town's abbey in 1147 by King Stephen. Within the site was a brewhouse, which produced ale for the monks.

The abbey was approximately one-third of a mile north of Shepherd Neame's present site with the brewhouse close to the north-east end of Abbey Street above a well, containing natural, chalk-filtered water.

By 1327, brewing in Faversham was conducted by at least 86 women, known as ale wives. Most of them sold their beer from their homes, but some were innkeepers.