Skip to main content

Notes For Visitors

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VISITORS 

Notes for visitors taking Brewery Tours:

  • All tour participants must be aged 18 or over*
  • The tour itself lasts for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes and includes historic buildings with steep staircases and uneven surfaces.
  • The tour may therefore be difficult for infirm visitors and is not suitable for wheelchair users – “virtual tours” are available as an alternative but must be booked in advance.
  • Practical footwear is required. High-heeled shoes, sandals, flip-flops or open-toed shoes are not suitable and visitors wearing such footwear will not be allowed to join the tour. A full set of safety notes can be viewed below.
  • Production or engineering considerations may restrict access to certain areas on some occasions.
  • Brewing is a batch process so we cannot guarantee that any particular piece of equipment will be in use at the time of your visit.
  • Production does not normally take place at weekends.
  • Events, private hire or operational reasons may mean occasionally The Old Brewery Store or parts of the Visitor Centre and tour route may be closed.


Safety Notes

We look forward to welcoming you to Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre.  In order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, group leaders are requested to make all members of their party aware of these.  

  1. The brewery is a busy industrial site– please stay in one group, with your Guide.  Take note of safety signs displayed and obey any instructions given by your Guide.
  2. Mobile phones should be switched to silent for the duration of the tour.
  3. Smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited during the tour.
  4. Visitors who are (or are believed to be) under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs will not be allowed join the tour.
  5. All tour participants must be aged 18 or over*
  6. The tour includes a number of steps, staircases and uneven surfaces and may be difficult for infirm visitors and is not suitable for wheelchair users. Some areas may be wet or slippery and there may be obstacles such as hoses on the floor.  
  7. Please watch your step throughout the tour – practical clothing and footwear is required. High-heeled shoes, sandals, flip-flops or other open-toed shoes are not suitable and visitors wearing such footwear will not be allowed to join the tour.
  8. Allergens (Barley, Wheat, Oats and Rye) are present on the site. Please tell your guide if you are allergic to any of these allergens. Do not bring known allergens onto the site.
  9. Natural products are used in the brewing process and aromas pervade the atmosphere.  These are harmless to healthy people but may cause discomfort to those suffering from such problems as bronchial diseases and asthma and those with a heart condition.
  10. Visitors should notify their guide if they have had any infectious or food related illness, this includes diarrhoea and vomiting, in the last four weeks.
  11. All visitors will be required to sanitise their hands prior to entering the production areas.
  12. Corrosive cleaning materials may be in use during your tour.  Our employees follow strictly controlled procedures when using these substances and visitors must not touch any containers or wet surfaces, unless your Guide advises that it is safe to do so.
  13. Please do not touch any pipes, vessels, electrical equipment or machinery.
  14. Goods are moved about the site by forklift truck – please be vigilant.
  15. Production or engineering considerations may restrict access to certain areas.

* Apart from those visiting as part of a pre-booked educational tour group where no alcohol will be supplied and a responsible drinking talk will be given.

See also: Access Statement