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Eating, drinking and shopping at Lyme

A person holding a reusable cup filled with coffe
Pick up a winter warmer in one of Lyme's cafés | © National Trust Images/William Shaw

After exploring the beautiful surroundings of Lyme, there's nothing better than a refreshing beverage and a moment to catch up with friends or family. There's a choice of eateries, each of which serves a range of delicious snacks and drinks. After you've refuelled, head to the shops to browse for a special gift or souvenir.

Eating and drinking at Lyme

 

The House Tea Rooms: Ale Cellar and The Servants' Hall

Opening times: a café will be open every day between 11am and 4pm

At the house you'll find a range of soups and sandwiches, cakes and bakes, pasties and a seasonal one-pot recipe with plenty of seating or an ideal place to grab a quick snack to takeaway for wandering around the  garden. If you're feeling indulgent, you can also treat yourself to a glass of wine or a delicious cream tea.

The Timber Yard Café 

Opening times: every day between 10am and 4pm

If you're having an early start or heading out into the estate, head to the Timber Yard Café on the other side of the Mill Pond. Formerly a joiner's workshop, the Timber Yard Café now serves a selection of cold sandwiches, toasties, pasties and sausage rolls, a seasonal one-pot recipe or soup, scooped ice creams, and a range of cakes and scones as well as brunch. You can even buy freezer packs of venison from the Lyme estate.

The Kiosk 

Opening times: every day between 10am and 4pm for takeaway drinks, sweet treats, snacks and scooped ice cream before you go exploring. Wood fired pizza is cooked to order between 12pm and 3pm, every day during school holiday periods and every weekend, weather permitting.

Please note there is no indoor seating at the pizza kiosk, pizzas can be served in boxes if you would like to take them in to one of our indoor cafés or seating areas on request.

 

Sample menu

Ask for any of our dignity crockery aids at the café on your visit
A selection of the dignity crockery and cultery at Lyme | © Jan-Christof Telford

Catering for all 

Here at Lyme, we'll always endeavour to cater for everyone's taste buds and needs. The food outlets with seating areas are set up to meet accessibility requirements. We can provide plastic cups with two handles and sip lids or straws. And we can also offer foam handles for cutlery. Just ask a member of the team if you need help.

In keeping with our mission to be environmentally sustainable and responsible, all takeaway cups, lids and sandwich packaging (including film and liner) are made from plant material, meaning they're 100 per cent compostable.

 

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free. 

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.

 

Thank you

Every cuppa or tasty treat you buy helps us to continue looking after places for everyone to enjoy.

Christmas food, including tangy pickle and ginger wine, from the AW 2024 collection
Christmas food, including tangy pickle and ginger wine, from the AW 2024 collection | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Shopping at Lyme 

The Hall Shop 

The Hall Shop is filled with gift and souvenir ideas, from scarves and bags, to books and bits for the kitchen. There are lots of edible treats, too, from jams and biscuits to fruit wines and local beers.

Did you know that the Lyme estate was used as the filming location for the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice? You'll find lots of Mr Darcy souvenirs in the Hall Shop, including bags, cushions and mugs, as well as Pride and Prejudice-themed books.

The Timber Yard Shop 

The Timber Yard Shop is the place to go for all your outdoor needs. The shop stocks a range of kids’ toys and adventure kits to inspire young visitors to start exploring Lyme and beyond, including bug boxes, fishing nets and binoculars. 

You’ll also find a variety of perennials, shrubs and seasonal plants inspired by the gardens at Lyme. All plants are sold in peat-free compost, helping to look after the natural environment. 

 

Paperbacks on a shelf in the second-hand bookshop at Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire
There's a huge selection of second-hand books to browse | © National Trust Images/David Goacher

The pre-loved bookshop 

Come and browse in the pre-loved bookshop inside the house; you may find that special book you've been searching for or the perfect gift for a loved one that's environmentally friendly too! Or choose a book and take the weight off your feet in one of the comfy chairs, or find yourself a peaceful spot outdoors. Every penny spent in the pre-loved bookshop helps us care for Lyme for years to come. 

 

Donations

Having an early spring clean? Lyme is always looking for donations of fiction, adult and children's non-fiction as well as cds and games. 

 

Thank you

It is through your purchases and support that we are able to continue to care for nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever.

Two deer at Lyme Park in Cheshire with the house in the background

Discover more at Lyme Park

Find out when Lyme Park is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.

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Looking for the perfect gift or perhaps you're in need of some retail therapy? You can browse our full range via our online shop.

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