An illustration of the Royal Abbey in Faversham provided by faversham.org
Shepherd Neame's last dray horse, Charlie, hauling a dray cart full of crates and barrels
A view over the Shepherd Neame brewey site in Faversham with a Shepherd Neame-branded flag flying in the foreground

Our rich history

Shepherd Neame Brewery logo

Founded in 1698, Shepherd Neame has the distinction of being Britain’s oldest brewer. Beers have been crafted at its historic site in the heart of the medieval market town of Faversham for more than 300 years. In fact, evidence suggests that brewing has taken place on the site for even longer, stretching back to at least 1573.

Find out more about Shepherd Neame’s rich and storied history, the various families that have made the brewery what it is, and how they have helped to shape the award-winning business that we know today.

Shepherd Neame archivist and historian John Owen

Meet John Owen

A Faversham native, John Owen is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and chairs the Faversham Society’s Faversham Historians group. He has been researching Shepherd Neame’s history for more than a decade and has written three award-winning books telling the story of Britain’s oldest brewer from the beginnings of recorded brewing in Faversham in 1100 right through to the eve of The Great War in 1913.

If you’re planning to visit the brewery in Faversham, you’ll find John’s books available to buy in the Visitor Centre Gift Shop or, if you have a question for him, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

1100 - 1327

Medieval brewing

Household brewing in medieval Faversham and the origin of Shepherd Neame's on-site artesian well as part of the Royal Abbey.

Read about medieval brewing
An illustration providing an impression of what the Royal Abbey at Faversham might have looked like. Image provided by faversham.orgrovi