Girl sitting among daffodils looking through binoculars at the camera — Child with binoculars among daffodils at Brownsea Island, Poole harbour, Dorset | © Ian Shaw

Discover and learn

Would you like to dig a bit deeper into history, find gardening tips or even make your own World Heritage Site? Discover more about the places we care for and pick up some new skills.

Learn about people and places from the past and explore remarkable works of art, architecture and gardens.

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The history of daffodils

Discover the history behind the daffodil, including how it came to be one of the UK's favourite flowers, where it came from and how to classify its many varieties.

Daffodils dappled in sunlight next to a red brick wall

Tea first arrived in Britain in the mid-17th century, when it was so expensive that only the incredibly wealthy could afford it. Find out the connections that the places in our care have to this simple brew.

An ornate teapot set on a low table with a plate of scones behind

Beatrix Potter

Discover how Beatrix Potter’s Victorian upbringing and fascination with animals culminated in a successful career as an author and illustrator and a passion for conservation.

Visitors looking at a copy of Two Bad Mice at Hill Top, near Sawrey, Lake District

Interior design through the ages

As fashions change over the eras, so do our homes. Explore the history of British interior design and learn about the centuries of design innovation at the places we care for.

Get closer to nature with our guides on identifying fauna, spotting wildlife in their natural habitats, enjoying the outdoors responsibly, and much more.

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Wild flowers in Britain

Discover the stories behind some famous British wild flowers and how wildflower meadows support important species from butterflies to bees.

Wildflower meadow including oxeye daisies at Holnicote Estate, Somerset

Top tips for spotting otters

Although otter numbers are on the rise, the shy and elusive marine mammals are still notoriously difficult to find. To boost your chances, here are our top tips on how to spot them in the wild.

Otter swimming in the river at Croome, Worcestershire

A guide to bluebells in the UK

Learn about the native British bluebell and how it differs from the Spanish variety, and find out how this wild flower has inspired storytellers for centuries.

A close up of some bluebells in the rain

How to spot water voles

Discover how to identify burrows, food, footprints and latrines, and how to tell the difference between water voles and brown rats, even when they're swimming.

Try some of our recipes at home and find out why we champion sustainable, local and seasonal food.

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Recipes

Browse a selection of recipe ideas, from cream-tea classics and family-friendly treats to meat-free dishes and seasonal delights.

Honey and apple scone with jar of honey and two apple fizz drinks on the side

Enchiladas

This classic Mexican comfort food recipe remains a real crowd-pleaser. Load up with smoky chicken or meat-free alternative, crunchy peppers and a saucy cheesy topping for a satisfying, moreish treat.

Lemon drizzle cake

This is a lemon drizzle cake recipe with a difference, adding mashed potato into the mix for an extra moist and flavourful gluten-free cake.

Guide to seasonal food

Discover which vegetables and fruit to harvest, plant and buy each month with our handy guide. Growing your own fruit and vegetables reduces food miles, which helps the environment.

Two gardeners crouched down to work on the vegetable patches in the Walled Garden at Llanerchaeron, Wales

Discover top tips from our expert gardeners and learn how to make the most of your garden, plot or window box.

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Gardening tips for spring

Make the most of your garden or growing space this spring with tips and advice from our gardeners. Find out about pruning shrubs, preparing flower borders, planting early vegetables and choosing the best blossom trees.

Two garden volunteers at work in the walled garden at Wimpole, removing weeds and pruning among other tasks. Red tulips can be seen in bloom in the garden border.

How to grow a balcony garden

Learn how the right plants can transform your balcony into a vibrant green space, which will also help to support wildlife and improve wellbeing.

Contestant balcony as part of our Sky Gardening Challenge 2024, in Manchester

Guide to peat-free gardening

We've committed to going peat free as an organisation, and all the plants we grow, buy and sell are potted in peat-free compost. Discover top tips for peat-free gardening in your own green space.

Green cuttings sprouting in natural plastic-free pots and peat-free compost

How to build a wildlife-friendly garden

Looking for new ways to help your local wildlife? Here are some of our top tips on how to make your garden a haven for animals, birds and insects.

Blue tit on a bird box with a tree and leaves in the background at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

Follow our step-by-step craft guides and create something new, from eco-friendly gifts to projects that help the wildlife on your doorstep.

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How to make naturally dyed Easter eggs

Create some vibrant Easter eggs from natural ingredients by following this step-by-step guide and video tutorial. Use them in your Easter egg hunt or as handmade Easter decorations.

Learn how to build a dry stone wall

Ever wanted to build your own dry stone wall? Find out how by following a step-by-step guide from one of our expert rangers.

Volunteer mending dry stone wall, with traditional hammer placed on top of wall

How to make an origami blossom

Try our step-by-step blossom origami tutorial in this easy spring-inspired craft. Make flowers in different sizes and colours to decorate your home or give to friends and family.

How to make wildflower seed balls

Discover how to make your own wildflower seed balls to add some colour to the garden with this step-by-step guide.

Making seed bombs at Houghton Mill and Waterclose Meadows, Cambridgeshire

Immerse yourself in nature, beauty and history from the comfort of your own home with virtual exhibitions, behind-the-scenes videos or our podcasts.

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Podcasts

Tune into award-winning stories of history, nature and adventure linked to the places in our care with our podcasts.

Two people swimming while a man holds a mic. boom close above them

Online exhibitions

Delve into our online exhibitions, where you can explore artworks and discover the history of the places and collections we look after from your seat.

The bowl is painted showing male figures in Manchu dress mounted on horses carrying bows and arrows, one appears to hold a matchlock, perhaps with a bayonet, they are chasing deer and a leopard,

Explore Holnicote Estate

Take an interactive 360° virtual tour of the diverse landscapes and habitats on the Holnicote Estate in Somerset. Roam around beaver enclosures, ancient oak woodland and saltmarshes, and learn how conservation is shaping the future of this estate.

Wildflower meadow at Holnicote Estate, Somerset

Step into the spotlight and explore the real-life locations behind your favourite films and TV shows, from grand estates in period dramas to magical landscapes in fantasy worlds.

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