Eating and shopping at Croft Castle

Close-up of a girl holding a sandwich close to her mouth — Make time for refreshments | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Tuck into some lunch and light bites in the Carpenter’s tea-room, or visit the second-hand bookshop to find yourself a pre-loved classic.

The Carpenter’s Tea-room at Croft is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm, serving a range of lunches, light bites, hot and cold drinks, and homemade cakes and scones. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome in the glazed area.

At weekends, bank holidays, and during school holidays, you can also visit Book and a Brew in the stables (12–4pm) for takeaway drinks and soft scoop ice cream.

Takeaway options are available if you’d like to enjoy your treats while exploring the gardens or parkland. Every purchase supports the care of Croft – thank you!

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.

Enjoy a picnic at Croft Castle

With almost 1500 acres of parkland and a beautiful walled garden, there are plenty of spots for you and the family to tuck into a picnic this summer.

Summer is the perfect season to pack up your picnic hampers and get outdoors. Bring your own packed lunch along, or pop into the tea-room to pick up some take-away snacks. With five way-marked walks, an Iron Age hillfort, rows of ancient trees and a 'Picturesque' Fishpool Valley, there are plenty of spots in our parkland for you to escape to.

We also have plenty of picnic tables near Visitor Reception and a wide expanse of lawn outside the castle, perfect for those lazy summer afternoons.

If you fancy something a little different, set up your blankets or chairs in the walled garden and spend some time among the flowers, complete with butterflies and busy bees.

Family enjoying a picnic at The Kymin, Monmouthshire, Wales — Tuck into a family picnic at Croft Castle | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Croft Castle’s second-hand bookshop

Open daily.

Look for a pre-loved classic in Croft’s second-hand bookshop, which can be found in the stables. Along with fiction of various genres and fascinating non-fiction, there are also children’s books and DVDs.

Every penny spent in the bookshop goes towards vital conservation projects at Croft.

Why not donate some of your pre-loved books and music for others to enjoy? The bookshop accepts good quality donations, which can be left with the visitor reception team.