Eating and shopping at Emmetts Garden

Catering assistant with a tray of coffee and hot chocolate in the cafe at Llanerchaeron, Wales. — A café tray of hot drinks | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Treat yourself on a visit to Emmetts Garden, with a hot drink from the Old Stables Tea Room, accompanied by a slice of cake, a sandwich or snack. Stop off at the shop to browse our seasonal ranges for the home and garden, local products and peat-free plants.

The Old Stables Tea Room

The tea-room serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, soup and sausage rolls as well as other light snacks. Please note that all items are subject to availability. Enjoy a tasty treat in the old stable block with seating arranged within the bays. There's more tables outdoors as well.

If you have dietary requirements you may prefer to come prepared. The tea room is small, with a limited offer, and we can’t always guarantee we'll have what you need. There is a small range of gluten-free snacks available, and soya or oat milk for hot drinks.

Are dogs allowed?

Assistance dogs only are allowed in the tea room but there’s plenty of outdoor seating where you can sit with your canine companion. Water bowls are available by the outdoor seating.

Please note, the tables outside the tea room are reserved for eating food and drink bought from Emmetts Garden only.

Find the perfect picnic spot

You’re welcome to picnic in the grounds where it’s safe to do so. The meadow makes the perfect spot for a picnic, with glorious views over Ide Hill and surrounding countryside. Bring a blanket and relax under sunny skies, or set up your spread on one of the picnic benches just a few steps from the Visitor Centre.

A walking picnic

If you enjoy walking, the circular Weardale Walk runs from Emmetts Garden to Chartwell. If you arrive early at Emmetts Garden you could make your way along the Weardale Walk to the Chartwell café and then enjoy your picnic in the Kent countryside on the way back to Emmetts Garden.

Please allow plenty of time for the circular five-mile walk; Emmetts Garden closes at 5pm.

Walkers to Chartwell will require a ticket if they also wish to visit the gardens.

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 selection of fashion accessories, including a hat, scarf and gloves, next to a Christmas tree — Find Christmas gifts for your loved ones in shops or online | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Shopping at Emmetts Garden

The shop is located in the Visitor Centre and stocks a range of seasonal products for the home and garden, local products and peat-free plants. Every purchase you make helps us to care for the nature, beauty and history that surrounds us here at Emmetts Garden.

Autumn/Winter 2023 collection

Shop sustainable gifts including reusable cups and ROKA backpacks.

Picnic blankets, reusable cups and colourful backpacks.

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Emmetts Garden guidebook

Pick up a guidebook from the shop to help you get the most from your day and as a keepsake to take away with you. Read about the history of the garden and the owners who shaped it into the plantsman’s paradise it is today, as well as finding out about some of the rare species that grow here. There’s a useful map of the whole site, as well as a detailed explanation of areas such as the South Garden, to help you identify where to find different plants and trees as you walk around.

For the garden

Whatever size your garden, choose from our selection of peat-free plants, garden products, furniture, pots and wildlife houses. Look out for seasonal ranges which reflect the gardens at Emmetts.