A pile of green, orange and yellow squashes on a wooden surface. — Pumpkin harvest display in the greenhouse at Christmas time at Gibside, Tyne & Wear | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

Food

Find out why we champion sustainable, local and seasonal food, and try some National Trust recipes at home.

We love food and we've got some great recipes to prove it. Here are some favourites from our chefs and local experts.

Parsnip and apple soup

Learn how to make a tasty and warming parsnip and apple soup – the perfect dish for a cold day.

Make a gingerbread house

Fancy making your own gingerbread house? With our simple biscuit recipe and video, and your choice of design, you can't go wrong with this classic tasty treat.

End view of a gingerbread house, with an open door and white icing on the roof and around the doors and windows to look like snow

Vegan snowball cake

With its delectably light and fluffy vegan meringue topping and coconut sprinkle finish, this snowball cake is a guaranteed Christmas table showstopper.

Pork and turkey pies

A warming savoury treat packed with festive flavours of pork, sage and cranberry, these tasty little pies are perfect for guests and family at Christmas.

History of seasonal food

Learn about the origins of fruit and vegetables grown in the UK, from ancient potatoes in Peru to the Victorian 'rhubarb triangle' in Yorkshire.

An arrangement of autumn fruits and vegetables on a rustic bench outside Low Sizergh Barn farm shop, Lake District

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

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 harvest rhubarb from a large garden border in the walled kitchen garden at Clumber Park.

Growing tips for allotments

Discover top tips on getting the most from your allotment or patch, and find out why growing your own fruit and vegetables is good for you in more ways than one.

The Community Allotments at Minnowburn, County Down

Places to eat

Discover a range of cafés, restaurants and tea-rooms at the places in our care across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find a place to eat near you, as well as special deals and allergen information.

A lady with a baby eating in the cafe at Tinkley Gate

Top kitchen gardens

Visit the best kitchen gardens around the UK. Growing fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, these busy kitchen gardens are rich in history, and some of their produce is still served in our cafés.

An elderly couple explore the walled garden at Felbrigg, with one of the visitors in a mobility vehicle. To the left are garden beds full of vegetables and on the right are garden borders full of flowers.

Shop The Great British Food Tour book

Take a journey through Britain's greatest dishes, local specialities and iconic ingredients in our new book, The Great British Food Tour. Sprinkled with recipes and a hearty helping of history, discover the origins of Stargazy pie, Bakewell tarts and other tales from the table. Find out more on our online shop.