Kent farm which grows blackcurrants for Ribena to hold family open day

Where do the blackcurrants come from to make Ribena?

A total of 12,000 tonnes of British blackcurrants are harvested every year to make the drink - and one of just 35 farms chosen to do that job is in Kent.

This weekend, 200 people have the chance to see how that happens at an open day at the 300-acre Rosemary Farm which stretches from Lamberhurst to Flimwell and is run by blackcurrant growers Peter and Michael Reeves.

Peter and Michael – whose family have been farming there since 1860 - are opening their gates for visitors on Sunday, July 23, for a farm tour, target archery, an inflatable assault course, barbecue and hog roast, all while learning how blackcurrants are harvested.

The day runs from 11.30am to 4pm when the harvest will be in full swing, so visitors can see the blackcurrant crop at its ripest. They can also pick some of their own.

The farm spans 300 acres and is split across Bewl Water. The brothers care for 110 acres of blackcurrants, but also grow grapes for English wine and manage 60 acres of woodland.

Peter Reeves said: “We wanted to open our doors to our local community while the blackcurrant harvest is in full swing to let them see what a real, working farm is like. Not everyone knows Ribena is packed full of British blackcurrants – let alone East Sussex and Kent blackcurrants harvested on their doorstep."

Places are limited to 200. To sign up, visit Ribena.co.uk/ family-fun-days