One Inn The Wood, a beloved local in Petts Wood, is celebrating its 10th birthday with a beer festival sharing brews from near and far.

The event will be hosted on May 26, 2024, at the Petts Wood Memorial Hall and Gardens, which is also marking its 70th anniversary as a community facility.

Over 30 casks, kegs, and ciders will be made available at the festival with an emphasis on supporting local microbrewers like Mutineers, Marlix, and Stay Wild.

Craft beer enthusiasts can also expect offerings from a range of distinguished breweries including Tonbridge, Gadds, Goachers, Drop Project, Deya, Kent, Pig & Porter, Cloudwater, Time & tide and Left Handed Giant.

In addition to the wide array of beers, there will also be a selection of quality wines from Chapel Down and cider from Dudda’s Tun and Sea Cider.

Music will be provided by five local bands: Johnny Appleyard, Amelia Street, Thursday’s Child, The Suspects, and Dirty Perks - delivering a lively accompaniment to the festival's flavoursome offerings.

Owner of One Inn The Wood, Martyn Rodden, encourages people to attend and enjoy the festivities.

He said: “Come along and have a great day out over the bank holiday weekend, in a family friendly setting, support local businesses whilst doing good and having a great time.

“We even guarantee the sun will be shining.”

The event is designed with all age groups in mind as children under 12 can go for free and enjoy activities such as a bouncy castle and face painting.

Numerous street food options will be available, featuring flavours from around the globe that include Lobos American BBQ, Jamaican, Indian and vegan cuisine.

One Inn The Wood is also backing the Chris Aked Foundation, a local charity that aids children of families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses, by offering help through physical and sporting activities, counselling and memory-making days.

More than £1,000 has already been raised through the generosity of sponsors, and it's hoped that the festival will drum up even more funds.

Nearly four hundred tickets have already been sold but there are still some available on the TicketSource website.

Those who are interested in pouring pints or cleaning up can also gain free entry or complimentary beer for their troubles.

On October 24, 2023, a new team led by Martyn, his wife Julie, Carrie Anne Mick and her partner took over One Inn The Wood and promised to build on the pub's legacy while infusing fresh ideas.

Martyn shared how the journey has been: “The response and support from the local community has been amazing – it shows how much of a community hub OITW has been over the last 10 years and it’s going from strength to strength.

“We are now six months into running the business and have made a number of positive changes that have broadened the appeal of One Inn the Wood to more people in the local community and beyond.

“Most importantly we offer really great value and our pricing is very competitive to help us stay relevant and affordable when the cost of living is such a big challenge for many of our patrons.

“We have refreshed the look and feel of the bar, creating more space, upgrading the washrooms and reintroducing some food offerings through our great value cheese and charcuterie boards.

“We have also introduced regular acoustic music sessions and a pop up collaboration with Lobos BBQ to give everyone a reason to come along and try us.

“We have partnered with a number of local charities, schools and groups to run events and continue to look at ways in which we can put something back into the local community.”