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Eating, drinking and shopping at Lyme

Visitors having lunch at Cragside, Northumberland
Tuck into a warming soup in one of Lyme's cafés | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

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 Ale Cellar

The Ale Cellar offers a selection of cakes and bakes, soups and packaged sandwiches, as well as plenty of indoor seating. If you're feeling indulgent, why not treat yourself to a glass of wine or a delicious cream tea.

The Servants' Hall

With a range of sandwiches, cakes and bakes to take away, the Servants’ Hall is the ideal place to grab a quick snack and a drink before wandering around the house or garden.

The Timber Yard Café

Formerly a joiner's workshop, the Timber Yard Café now serves a selection of cold sandwiches, wraps and baguettes, along with salads, a seasonal one-pot recipe or soup, scooped ice creams, and a range of cakes and scones. You can even buy freezer packs of venison from the Lyme estate.

The Kiosk

Open every day in the summer holidays between 12pm and 3pm, the Kiosk in the car park is ideal for grabbing a freshly baked pizza from the wood-fired oven, a hot or cold drink, or an ice cream before you go exploring.

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.

A glass water carafe and tumbler with a leaf pattern placed on an outdoor table with a white wall background
Add style to your kitchenware with this handblown carafe featuring an etched fern design | © 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. Choose a book and take the weight off your feet in one of the comfy chairs, or find yourself a peaceful spot outdoors.

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

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