Oast house

We are staying next to this beautiful oast house in Kent. We just had to do some research after asking ourselves: 
What were oast houses used for exactly?
Why do you only see them in Kent? .....and more...

Oast means kiln and the hops were dried there. Kent had ideal soil for growing hops. The conical roof creates a good draught for the fire. Oast houses can have differerent constructions but the conical ones are mostly seen in Kent. 

Extra is a chuch window in Lenham which I took because I loved the shape  ...only when I looked at the photo more closely did I realise the reflection of the old village buildings.