There are more reasons than ever to visit Kent Life Heritage Farm Park – including the attraction’s first Ice Cream Festival on August 29, with ice cream vendors, chocolatiers and sweet stalls galore!

Create a masterpiece at the toppings station and treat yourself at the marshmallow, cakepop and other confectionary stalls; and don’t miss Professor Style’s colourful presentation of England’s most famous puppet show.

Autumn sees the return of the Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival (September 10 and 11), with live music, local ales and ciders, hop picking and entertainment – plus a free pint for all full-paying adults who book in advance online.

Help hand-pick the hops; meet some historic characters; see one of the last working coal-fired oast houses in the country fired up; and witness the process from picking to drying. The festival will also be showcasing beers from Kent Life’s sister attraction, the National Brewery Centre in Burton upon Trent.

The festival promises a jam-packed set of live music. On Saturday, Jamie Johnson (grand-finalist on TV’s The Voice in 2014) tops the bill; while Gentlemen of Few, who have racked up a nationwide following, head Sunday’s line-up.

Other entertainment includes Cuddle Corner, tractor rides, water zorbing, tug-of-war, family races, donkey rides, Paint-a-Pot studio and animal feeding. Little ‘hoppers’ can burn off energy in the outdoor and indoor play areas, while grown-ups can check out the Vintage Village.

The definitive Chas & Dave tribute act brings to life the cockney duo’s hits on September 17. Charles & David’s repertoire includes pukka gems from Chas & Dave’s 1975 debut album One Fing and Annuver through to 2013’s That’s What Happens, plus all their greatest hits in between – including Rabbit, Gertcha and Margate.

There will also be performances from the Pearly Kings and Queens and you can grab a bite to eat from one of the Cockney Caterers.

On October 1 and 2, celebrate Kent Life’s fruit harvest at the Apple and Cider Fayre, with over 60 varieties of apple, live music, local cider, demonstrations and tours. You can taste and buy the fruit, pick up a FREE apple cookbook and even watch the traditional process of apple pressing.

From October 22 to 31, you and your little ‘monsters’ are guaranteed a frightfully good time at the Halloween Spooktacular, with ghoulish creepy crawlies, terrifying tractor rides, trick or treating, fancy dress competitions and pumpkin carving.

Then as darkness falls on October 30 and 31, the attraction will be transformed into a zombie-infested fright zone for the Halloween Spooktacular Kent-animated experience (ages 16+). Can you flee the virus outbreak to reach safety?

Standard peak admission prices: adults £9.50, children (three to 15 years) £7.50, concessions £8.50, NEW Family Ticket (two adults and two children, or one adult and three children) £29.95. Under-threes and members FREE.

Different prices apply to some special events and opening times vary. For details call 01622 763936, email enquiries@kentlife.org.uk or visit www.kentlife.org.uk. You can also follow Kent Life on Twitter @Kent­_Life

Kent Life is in Lock Lane, Sandling, near Maidstone, just off junction 6 of the M20.