The Kent Beer Festival is the UK's second oldest real ale festival. It started in Canterbury in 1975. Since 1987, it has been located at Merton Farm, just two miles south of Canterbury City Centre. Merton Farm is an atmospheric working farm, and the Kent Beer Festival is held in an enormous barn. There is ample space for car parking, and basic camping facilities. For those who do not want to drive, a continuous free bus shuttle runs between the farm and Canterbury Bus Station (every 30 min on Thursday and on Friday lunchtime, every 15 min at other sessions).