War and Peace is returning to its old home at Hop Farm
This will give the show stability, says owner
It’s back! After a four-year break, the War and Peace Revival Show is returning to the Hop Farm.
The show, generally recognised as the largest vintage military festival of its kind, will be back at Beltring, near Paddock Wood, this summer.
War and Peace, which features thousands of military vehicles, battle re-enactments, aerial flypasts, live music and hundreds of stalls selling militaria, built its reputation while based at the Hop Farm over a period of 25 years.
But in 2013, the show transferred to Folkestone Racecourse. At the time, the new venue was billed as an appropriate setting – the racecourse is sited on the former RAF Westenhanger airbase in an area of Kent known as Hellfire Corner during the Second World War.
But the racecourse owners have now gained planning permission to redevelop the site for housing, prompting a search for an alternative venue.
The show was bought up by FRL Media Group last year, and the new owners were keen to return to the Hop Farm.
Managing director John Allison said: “We have secured a long-term contract with the Hop Farm which gives the show the stability it needs.
“At Folkestone, there was always uncertainty because of the planning application about how long we could stay there.”
Mr Allison, who said he had attended many shows himself at the Hop Farm as a collector, said most exhibitors would welcome the return.
“There is a certain nostalgia for the Hop Farm and the stability will be good for both exhibitors and the public. People get to know where things are and it makes their return visit easier.”
The event was last held at the Hop Farm in 2012.
This summer’s show, which will include a children’s fun fair, runs for five days from Tuesday, July 25, to Saturday, July 29.
For details and to book tickets, call 01258 858448 or 01258 857700, email info@warandpeacerevival. com or go to warandpeacerevival.com