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AC Goatham & Son — what kind of farm, conditions, how to get in (2026)

Verified: 2026-06-11

In short

Largest apple producer in the UK with a record level of transparency on operators. Glassdoor complaints about management — without documented investigations. Good option for the autumn season with a choice of operator.

In numbers
up to 700
seasonal workers
per year
Kent
region
United Kingdom
apples, pears, plums, cherries
crops
harvest season
August–November
season
working months

How to get onto the farm AC Goatham & Son

Confirmed operators

⚠️
The operator chooses the farm, not you — but it helps to know where you can end up. Apply through one of the operators — they will allocate you to farms depending on demand.
🧭
Where it is and how to get aroundDistance to London, nearest station and town

Distances are measured from: Hoo St Werburgh, Kent.

The farm has several sites — the figures are for the main one.

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To London55 km by road, about 1 h by car
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To London by trainRochester (RTR), 8.1 km (12 min by car) from the farm → London St Pancras International, direct · trains per hour: 2
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Nearest townHoo St Werburgh, 0.1 km · population: 5,377
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Nearest cityGillingham, 9.2 km, about 11 min by car · population: 101,187

Distances are measured along the road. There is not always a pavement or footpath: many country roads in England have no verge, and walking along them is unsafe.

Station and town names are kept in English — that is how they appear on your ticket and on road signs.

The station nearest the farm is not always the one with London trains; the one listed here is the London one.

National Rail — train times and fares
Traveline — bus times

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Housing and livingLiving conditions, amenities

On-farm accommodation (website data); details not published

Your passport must stay with you. If anyone takes your passport, that is a criminal offence (Modern Slavery Act 2015). Call: Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700 (free, 24/7).

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Pay and piece rateHourly rate, piece rate, net earnings

not published

More about pay on the farm: first steps and your rights on the farm.

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Scale and cropsFarm size, what they grow, production volume
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Seasonal workersup to 700
📍
RegionKent
🍓
What to pickapples, pears, plums, cherries
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SeasonAugust–November
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Sites25+ farms across Kent; Seasonal workers: up to 700 seasonal + 250 permanent (company data)
📦
Outputlargest apple producer in the UK; contract with Aldi £750 million/20 years (confirmed, 2022)
🌾
Areamore than 2,650 acres (~1,072 ha), 25–28 farms (company data)

Positive signals

  • Only farm in the UK that openly names all 5 of its SWS operators
  • Largest apple producer in the UK
  • Stable long-term employer

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose the farm AC Goatham & Son?

No — the specific farm is assigned by the Seasonal Worker Scheme operator. You apply through an operator, and they place you on farms based on available spots and your profile. Knowing which operators work with AC Goatham & Son is useful: apply through them.

How much do they pay on the farm AC Goatham & Son?

not published

When is the season on AC Goatham & Son?

Season: August–November. Crops: apples, pears, plums, cherries. Check exact dates and availability with the operator when you apply.

Which operators work with AC Goatham & Son?

Confirmed operators: Pro-Force, AGRI-HR, Fruitful Jobs, Concordia, HOPS Labour Solutions. Apply through the operator's official website — it is free.