A gardener kneels in a vegetable patch harvesting potatoes with Ham House in the background. — Harvesting potatoes in the Kitchen Garden at Ham House, London | © National Trust Images/John Millar

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.

In a rectangular dish, with two serving spoons, are crisp slices of roasted courgette, scattered with fresh mint and rocket

Recipe

Courgette, chilli and mint salad

This tasty salad balances meltingly soft courgette slices with fresh mint and a little chilli heat: perfect for a light lunch or as a delicious accompaniment.

Round lavender shortbread with white icing and dried lavender on top

Recipe

Lavender shortbread

Fill your kitchen with the sweet and aromatic flavours of our floral-inspired shortbread – delicious served with an afternoon cuppa or as a gift to share with family and friends.

Chicken, leek and tarragon pie on a plate with a fork

Recipe

Chicken, leek and tarragon pie

This family favourite creamy chicken and leek pie, topped with fresh herbs and puff pastry, is the perfect choice to warm you up on chilly nights.

Freshly baked gooseberry traybake with a few slices cut

Recipe

Gooseberry traybake

From picnics to parties, this juicy gooseberry traybake is perfect for using up your freshly picked berries.

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

Article

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

Article

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.

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

Article

Guide to seasonal food

Grow your own fruit and vegetables and help the environment by reducing food miles. Find out what to harvest, plant and buy each month with our handy guide to seasonal food.

A gardener picking carrots in the Walled Garden at Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Article

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.

A family enjoying refreshments from the Brewhouse Café at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland

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.

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.

Article

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.

The Great British Food Tour book on a table

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.