A smaller, cheaper edition of this acclaimed illustrated biography of Beatrix Potter. Respected biographer Sarah Gristwood discovers a life crisscrossed with contradictions and marked by tragedy, yet one that left a remarkable literary - and environmental - legacy. This illustrated biography of the beloved writer has been a strong seller and critical success. It is now available in a smaller, more affordable format. Interest in Beatrix Potter and her characters is undimmed, with the second Peter Rabbit film being released in summer 2021 and an exhibition at the V&A from February 2022, 'Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature'. Few people realise how extraordinary Beatrix Potter's own story is. She was a woman of contradictions. A sheltered Victorian daughter who grew into an astute modern businesswoman. A talented artist who became a scientific expert. A famous author who gave it all up to become a farmer, then a pioneering conservationist. Bestselling biographer Sarah Gristwood follows the twists and turns of Beatrix Potter's life and its key turning points - including her tragically brief first engagement and happy second marriage late in life. She traces the creation of Beatrix's most famous characters - including the naughty Peter Rabbit, confused Jemima Puddleduck and cheeky Squirrel Nutkin - revealing how she drew on her unusual childhood pets and locations in her beloved Lake District. A fitting legacy for a pioneering conservationist who helped save thousands of acres of the Lake District.' - The Mail on Sunday 'Excellent, anecdotal text...' - The Times Literary Supplement 'Beautifully illustrated.' - The Sunday Express

A beautiful little guide to one of life's simple pleasures - pebble spotting. Where science meets mindfulness. Learn to appreciate their beauty, discover the amazing journey that brought them to you, search for the rare ones. Leave no stone unturned. Turn a day on the beach or a seaside holiday stroll into a treasure hunt with this lovely little guide to identifying pebbles. Pebble spotting is one of life's simple joys. There's nothing quite like searching the rocks on a beach until that special one catches your eye - a perfect shape, a gorgeous colour, an intriguing pattern. But what is it? Use this beautifully illustrated little guide to find out, and to discover your pebble's fascinating life story and secrets. It could be even more special than you thought... Geologist and passionate pebble spotter Clive Mitchell has created a charming and wonderfully browsable book that is a perfect companion to a day out or holiday, or an idle moment at home. This book contains entries on 40 different types of pebble, complete with detailed facts about the composite rock's structure and where to find them, with examples including: Flint Feldspar veins Spotted slates Serpentinite Granite ovoids The rare rhomb porphyry - the holy grail of pebble hunting The book includes a space to ruminate on your own findings, taking note of the treasures that you pick up along the way and discovering the secrets of the stones beneath your feet. The Pebble Spotter's Guide is the perfect introduction to everything you didn't know there was to know about the mindful pleasure of pebble spotting and the wonder of pebbles. Simply sit on a beach or next to a stream for 10 minutes and find amazing treasures at your feet; there is much to discover.

A baker's bible from a multi-award-winning and highly respected food writer

Baking is one of life's great pleasures. In the new edition of this beautiful book, Sybil Kapoor brings together an inspiring collection of baking recipes, both sweet and savory. A baker's bible from a much-loved expert in the field, this book draws on the best of Britain's baking heritage. Readers will delve into Britain's delicious and deservedly famous repertoire of cakes, pastries, savory bakes, and bread and learn how best to use fresh seasonal produce to create perfect bakes.

From blackcurrant meringue pie to Seville orange crunch cake, olive and onion scones and nectarine slice, to apricot creams and chocolate pear cake, this book is a treasury of wonderfully British bakes.

Learn how to make and use nourishing compost for your garden with this handy little guidebook from an experienced National Trust head gardener. It's packed with useful tips for successful composting, from deciding what to put in your kitchen compost caddy to how to use the final product in your garden. The author discusses the various composting set-ups you can choose, from simple plastic cone-shaped 'Dalek' bins to ingenious hand-rotated barrels and elaborate solar-powered hot composting systems, and gives full instructions to make a professional-looking three-bay compost heap from old pallets. Also covered are unusual and innovative techniques such as keyhole gardening and lasagne planting, and there's a guide to wormeries and, for the very adventurous, snaileries. He also reveals the many uses to which compost can be put in your garden, and not just to grow plants in - as a top dressing to keep your lawn looking fresh and green, as mulch for your flower beds, or, in liquid form, as a powerfully nutritious plant feed. And there's a handy guide to which bits of kitchen waste you can put into your compost, and which you really shouldn't. Finally, if you've always wanted an exceptionally environmentally friendly composting toilet, instructions are here. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this practical guide contains all the advice you'll ever need to get your compost going and use it to help your garden thrive.

The ideal gift for food lovers. Big flavours for busy people. It's packed with delicious recipes that can go from page to plate in 30 minutes or so. Over half the recipes are vegetarian or vegan and they keep in mind seasonality and minimising waste for a clean conscience as well as a clean plate. If you want convenience and simplicity without compromising on taste or nutrition, this book is for you. It's packed with delicious recipes that can go from page to plate in 30 minutes or so. There's everything you need for mid-week lunches or suppers, plus some special feasts too. There's soups, salads and mains, including Black Bean & Tomato Chipotle Soup, Noodle salad with Garlic Peanut Dressing, Roast Mushroom Gnocchi with Rocket Pesto, Hot Smoked Salmon Hash, Whole Roasted Aubergines with Sweet Garlic & Tahini Sauce. There are mouthwatering desserts too, including Peanut Butter French Toast, Roasted Vanilla Plums with Oat Crumble, Hotcakes with Cinnamon & Honey Butter. The recipes include one-pots and traybakes for ultimate effort-saving. Over half the recipes are vegetarian or vegan and they keep in mind seasonality and minimising waste for a clean conscience as well as a clean plate.

What better gift for a rambler than this delightful, clearly written and well researched guide to some of the UK’s best walks with watering holes en route? …. With ‘How to get there’ details and an easy-to-follow map, plus an OS Map reference, this is the ideal companion.� BBC Countryfile Magazine 100 Great Pub Walks includes classic walks and watering holes that span the length and breadth of Britain. Taking in some of the country’s most dramatic scenery, the walks range from gentle riverside footpaths and rolling fields to invigorating coastal trails and breath-taking hilltop hikes. The routes are organised by region and graded according to ease. Most are circular and suitable for all levels of fitness. There are also lots of family- and dog-friendly options. Each walk includes easy-to-follow maps and clear directions plus information on facilities, transport links, local attractions, and of course local beers, ciders and other refreshments. 100 Great Pub Walks is the perfect companion for anyone who appreciates a refreshing ramble followed by a well-earned rest in a welcoming country inn.

This captivating book, fully revised and updated and featuring more NT houses than ever before, is a guide to some of the greatest architectural treasures of Britain, encompassing both interior and exterior design.

This new edition is fully revised and updated and includes entries for new properties including: Acorn Bank, Claife Viewing Station, Cushendun, Cwmdu, Fen Cottage, The Firs (birthplace of Edward Elgar), Hawker's Hut, Lizard Wireless Station, Totternhoe Knolls and Trelissick.

The houses covered include spectacular mansions such as Petworth House and Waddesdon Manor, and more lowly dwellings such as the Birmingham Back to Backs and estate villages like Blaise Hamlet, near Bristol. In addition to houses, the book also covers fascinating buildings as diverse as churches, windmills, dovecotes, castles, follies, barns and even pubs.

The book also acts as an overview of the country's architectural history, with every period covered, from the medieval stronghold of Bodiam Castle to the clean-lined Modernism of The Homewood.

Teeming with stories of the people who lived and worked in these buildings: wealthy collectors (Charles Wade at Snowshill), captains of industry (William Armstrong at Cragside), prime ministers (Winston Churchill at Chartwell) and pop stars (John Lennon at Mendips).

Written in evocative, imaginative prose and illustrated with glorious images from the National Trust's photographic library, this book is an essential guide to the built heritage of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Discover the history, legends and folklore of Britain’s most intriguing landmarks This beautifully illustrated book reveals the secrets and stories of fifty icons of Britain’s landscape. Some are natural wonders, such as Cheddar Gorge, Sherwood Forest and the white cliffs of Dover. Others were made by our distant ancestors: the standing stones of Avebury and Calanais, the Uffington White Horse, the burial mounds of Sutton Hoo. Discover how they came to be, the legends and traditions that surround them, and how they have inspired famous writers and poets. Reconnect with our ancient landscape with this fascinating and surprising guide. .

The perfect stocking filler this Christmas. A gift book celebrating how much happiness can be found in 100 simple, everyday things - from the feel of fresh sheets to the joy of daydreaming. The perfect antidote to the pressurised, disconnected modern world. From feel of fresh sheets to the joy of daydreaming, this book reminds us how much happiness can be found in the smallest things. The writing is tender and uplifting with touches of humour. It's a balm for the soul in our increasingly screen-based, disconnected world. There are beautiful illustrations dotted throughout. The 100 simple pleasures include: Climbing a hill The smell of autumn leaves Fresh sheets The sun on your back People watching Holding hands Planting a seed The first coffee of the day Writing a Letter.

'Garden Book of the Year' - Garden Media Guild Awards 2022 The perfect gift for National Trust members this Christmas. Discover Britain's most beautiful and inspiring wild gardens, and how you can make your own. Winner 'Best Garden Book of the Year' Garden Media Guild Awards 2022 Despite our best efforts, and no matter how much we prune, tidy and shape our gardens, they are inherently wild. In fact, it is often the most unrestrained and untamed areas that add drama and romance. In this glorious celebration of exuberant, naturalistic planting, we take a walk on the wild side. Be transported to lush valleys and tropical jungles with exotic gardens shaped by Victorian plant hunters. Wander through beautiful bluebell woods, blossoming orchards and magical wildflower meadows, and explore prairie-style gardens inspired by North American grasslands. Discover special places influenced by natural landscapes, and sustainably managed spaces designed with wildlife in mind. You'll find out how wild play areas can help children to connect with nature and how immersing yourself in quiet woodland can immediately benefit your sense of well-being. A helpful guide also offers advice and tips on how to create and manage your own wildlife-friendly garden so that you can attract birds, bees, bats, bugs and many other wild and wonderful creatures.

Laetitia Maklouf is a garden writer and busy mother of three who has realised that the secret of gardening without becoming overwhelmed is to do something small every day. She's packed this book with little bursts of activity - spruce, chop, nurture, fuss or tackle a larger project - that can all be managed in five-minute forays. Spruce the lawn by raking fallen leaves in October, or fuss with your snail defences in May. Nurture your hardy annual seedlings in December, and chop your hydrangeas in March. Every day, rain or shine, do something for your garden with whatever time you can spare. Before you know it, you will have a daily gardening habit and a beautiful garden you can enjoy all year round.

A celebration of a beloved and uniquely British garden style. The cottage garden's abundant, informal style is rooted in Victorian dreams of a perfect country life. But it has found new expressions from the Arts & Crafts movement to the present day. This book showcases a selection of National Trust cottage gardens, famous and obscure, including writer Thomas Hardy's cottage in Dorset; the flower-filled cottage garden created at Sissinghurst, Kent, by Vita Sackville-West and harold Nicolson; the Tudor manor Cothele in Cornwall, Beatrix Potter's Cumbrian home, Hill Top, and the picturesque Alfriston Clergy House in East Sussex. Cottage Gardens also features some of the most famous non-National Trust examples from around the country, including Kelmscott Manor, Dove Cottage and Eastgrove Cottage Garden. With practical advice on creating your own cottage garden, including key plants and techniques, this is a wonderful companion for all garden enthusiasts. With climbing roses, bright hollyhocks, pathways edged with honeysuckle, blossom-filled orchards and wildflower meadows, this is the perfect book to capture the idyllic British country garden.

This gift-sized guide has delicious recipes for savory and sweet treats, from sandwiches and tart to cakes, scones, macaroons, shortbreads and preserves. Some are classic, some have a twist, such as cucumber sandwiches with minted cream cheese, toasted farmhouse bread with anchovy butter, the classic Victoria sponge, brandysnaps, cream horns or the classic scone. Plus there's everything you need to know to brew to the perfect pot of tea (not to mention the odd cocktail and bowl of punch). Sample menus help you to plan your tea, whether you're looking for a lively party, the last word in elegance or a hearty winter tea by the fire. Food historian Laura Mason also includes some fascinating and amusing historical recipes that reveal how afternoon tea was taken in times gone by and the origins of some beloved dishes. Includes dual measures.

The essential recipe book for people looking for easy ways to include more veg in their diet, Eat More Veg elevates humble vegetables into hearty mains and satisfying side dishes. Annie Rigg, a Leiths-trained chef and well-established food writer with over 20 years of experience, turns her hand to crafting 80 irresistible vegetarian and vegan dishes in her latest offering Eat More Veg. This is a cookbook for people who want to make vegetables a bigger part of their diet to benefit their health and the environment without having to compromise on taste. Annie Rigg's vibrant and healthy dishes offer just that. Her recipes are not about what's missing - they are about maximising the impact and flavour of plant-based ingredients in ways that are fresh and enticing. Divided into six chapters this book covers quick suppers, mains, special feasts, soups and starters, salads, and sides. Dive in to discover 80 delicious dishes that make the most of seasonal produce, often using vegetables grown in National Trust gardens. From puttanesca cherry tomatoes to Indian spiced Romanesco, courgette, pea and basil risotto to spinach, lentil and chickpea kofta, Annie Rigg makes use of diverse seasonal veg in imaginative, appetising ways. Eat More Veg is a glorious collection of comforting and exciting dishes guaranteed to satisfy.

The definitive guide to hundreds of Britain's most outstanding gardens, in the care of the National Trust The National Trust has the finest collection of gardens in the United Kingdom. In this book, Stephen Lacey paints a vivid picture of the individual gardens, and places each one in its context within British horticultural history. All the major periods and styles of garden design are represented, from the formality of early gardens such as Hanbury Hall and Ham House, magnificent 18th-century landscapes like Stowe and Croome Park and the heady Victorian creations of Biddulph Grange and Waddesdon Manor to the famous plantsmen's gardens of the last century, such as Nymans, Hidcote Manor and Sissinghurst Castle. The text and pictures have been fully updated, with new entries including Allan Bank, High Close Arboretum and Wentworth Castle. Several gardens have undergone major redevelopment since the previous edition, while others have colourfully expanded the acreage open to visitors. Extensive tree planting, including reinstating a lost eighteenth-century avenue at Dyrham Park and recreating the pear tree arch at Rudyard Kipling's home, Bateman's, are just a few of the new and exciting additions to this classic guide to Britain's most outstanding gardens.

Britain's nature year, from the first flower to the last leaf With a mix of evocative writing, beautiful photographs and facts that are too good to keep to yourself, this book explores 50 magical moments that define our seasons. It's an inspiring guide to connecting with the nature around you and seeing how it changes through the year. There's butterflies, blossom and bluebells. There's foxgloves, flying ants and fungi. There's snow, seedheads and shadows. You'll discover how many miles an hour spring moves, how spiders can heal us and how woodpeckers help to protect sensitive technology. The inspiration behind the book is partly the National Trust's hugely successful 'Blossom Watch' campaign, launched in March 2021. Each year we are encouraged to notice and share when we first see tree blossom, emulating the Japanese tradition of 'Hanami'.

Roasting Pan Suppers is filled to the brim with over 70 delicious meals that you can cook in a single roasting pan or pot. Take a handful of fresh ingredients, spend a few minutes preparing them, pop them in a pan and let the oven do the work. In hardly more time than it takes to cook a ready meal, you can have a home-cooked, nutritious feast. Featuring vibrant meals, from ginger and turmeric chicken with potato and chickpea curry to lamb steaks in mojo verde with roast potatoes and green pepper, Roasting Pan Suppers is perfect for anyone wanting to squeeze nutritious home made meals into a busy lifestyle. The book also contains delicious vegan and vegetarian meals, including mushrooms stuffed with rice, spinach and pine nuts and baked pearl barley, peas, beans and green sauce. Filled with fresh, delicious and hassle-free meals, this book is perfect for anyone who wants to cook up nutritious food and avoid a sink full of washing up.

Elevate your own green space and become a more confident and creative gardener with lessons from experienced National Trust gardeners in this comprehensive horticultural guide. 'An accessible, informative guide for beginners, but full of ideas and tips for seasoned gardeners.' - Sunday Mirror Elevate your own green space and become a more confident and creative gardener with lessons from experienced National Trust gardeners in this comprehensive horticultural guide. The National Trust looks after hundreds of beautiful gardens of every imaginable shape and size across Britain - from the grandest country estate to the smallest cottage garden. They manage such internationally renowned gardens as Sissinghurst and Hidcote. National Trust garden staff receive countless questions from visitors about plants growing in the gardens and techniques that can be tried at home. This in-depth guide will pass on their wisdom and provide the answers you are looking for. This book is packed with images of National Trust gardens of all types, spanning over 300 years of horticultural heritage, to inspire keen amateur gardeners and aspirational novices to realise their green-fingered ambitions. Written by expert gardener Rebecca Bevan, with the help of National Trust gardeners, the National Trust School of Gardening will make you feel confident about developing your garden rather than overwhelmed with unnecessary technical detail. From herbaceous borders to gardening sustainably, roses and climbers to growing under glass, each chapter provides snippets of horticultural history, examples of best practice from National Trust gardens, unique gems of wisdom from talented NT gardeners, and lots of easy-to-follow practical advice. Featuring a wide range of National Trust gardens both large and small, formal and informal, famous and undiscovered, high maintenance and low key. The topics covered and the insightful practical guides shared are easily applicable to private gardens, enriching even the tiniest urban spaces.

What is a roast? Much more than a hunk of meat cooked in a certain way. A roast may conjure up images of vast joints of beef turning on spits in front of huge fires, of venison poached from under the gamekeeper s nose, of medieval boards groaning under the weight of peacocks, swans and sucking pigs, of Christmas geese and turkeys, and of convivial Sunday lunch. In short, a roast is an idea of plenty, of feasting, and of occasion.

Acclaimed cook and food historian Laura Mason presents delicious beef, lamb, pork and chicken roasts, plus traditional recipes for turkey, goose, duck, game birds, rabbit and hare, and venison too. All the best accompaniments and vegetable dishes are included, from essential Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes to sauces and stuffings.

Everything you need to know about sourcing, preparing and roasting quality meat is explained and most importantly, the best part of any roast is often the leftovers, and there are mouth-watering ideas for soups, sandwiches, salads and pics.

Classic British Cooking is a collection of our very best national and regional dishes. With over 300 recipes, it includes both timeless favourites and forgotten gems. It covers everything from soups and fish dishes to sauces and sides, from vegetable and meat courses to puddings, breads and jams.

Try delicious recipes for potted crab, slow-roasted pork belly, steamed ginger pudding and damson ice cream. Make the most of seasonal British produce with tasty chutneys and syllabubs. Bake a delicious piece of history with a Fidget Pie or Whittingham Button biscuits.

Throughout, the author uncovers the fascinating history behind many dishes, from the Indian-influenced Kedgeree to the humble but delicious Toad in the Hole. Discover how medieval pottage became soup and how desserts like rice pudding and Eton mess became all-time favourites. Both practical and inspirational, this is a celebration of the best of British cooking past and present.

This book was previously published as The National Trust Complete Traditional Recipe Book

Delicious recipes to enjoy this Christmas. 80 recipes for home-cooked meals that will make your day. From the National Trust's cafes. Meals that make your day The National Trust's cafes are a British institution, enjoyed by the millions of people who visit its historic houses and sites every year. For some, a stop at the cafe is a bonus; for others, it's the main event. Either way, it promises delicious, hearty food that tastes like the very best home cooking. Over 80 of the recipes are in this book. Starters, mains, salads, desserts - everything you need. Recipes include: wild mushroom & barley soup; chicken, leek & tarragon pie; spring vegetable risotto; sausage & fennel seed pasta with spinach; spiced apple & plum crumble; rhubarb & ginger cheesecake. It's not just the classics and favourites that you might expect, but twists and new takes too - whether it's unusual ingredients (for example lemon & thyme sprouts; pea and mint scotch egg) or vegetarian and vegan options (chili non-carne; vegan pasty; vegan chocolate fudge cake). The recipes highlight seasonality and sustainability throughout - the National Trust's cafes are at the forefront of both areas.

The perfect stocking filler for beach lovers. A beautiful little guide to one of life's simple pleasures - pebble spotting. Where science meets mindfulness. Learn to appreciate their beauty, discover the amazing journey that brought them to you, search for the rare ones. Leave no stone unturned. Turn a day on the beach or a seaside holiday stroll into a treasure hunt with this lovely little guide to identifying pebbles. Pebble spotting is one of life's simple joys. There's nothing quite like searching the rocks on a beach until that special one catches your eye - a perfect shape, a gorgeous colour, an intriguing pattern. But what is it? Use this beautifully illustrated little guide to find out, and to discover your pebble's fascinating life story and secrets. It could be even more special than you thought... Geologist and passionate pebble spotter Clive Mitchell has created a charming and wonderfully browsable book that is a perfect companion to a day out or holiday, or an idle moment at home. This book contains entries on 40 different types of pebble, complete with detailed facts about the composite rock's structure and where to find them, with examples including: Flint Feldspar veins Spotted slates Serpentinite Granite ovoids The rare rhomb porphyry - the holy grail of pebble hunting The book includes a space to ruminate on your own findings, taking note of the treasures that you pick up along the way and discovering the secrets of the stones beneath your feet. The Pebble Spotter's Guide is the perfect introduction to everything you didn't know there was to know about the mindful pleasure of pebble spotting and the wonder of pebbles. Simply sit on a beach or next to a stream for 10 minutes and find amazing treasures at your feet; there is much to discover.

Good For You, Good for the Planet. From journalist and partnerships editor at Positive News, Sarah LaBrecque, National Trust's Positively Green is an informative and captivating guide to sustainable living. Including chapters on Energy, Fashion, Food and more, you'll discover what works, what's worth doing, and what's not. Positively Green provides advice on reducing your environmental impact as well as helping to ease climate anxiety and boost mental well-being. From changing how you clean your home, to the food you put in your body, and the technology you use, this book is the perfect resource for those wanting to limit their effect on the environment and reduce climate-based worries. The chapters include: A Green Home, Food and Drink, Fashion, Technology, Travel and Transport, and Nature. There are useful tips and links for further information too. Positively Green is an encompassing guide to staying positive and helping the planet in an accessible and inspiring book.

Escape reality and reconnect with nature Journey to 40 unforgettable getaways in Britain’s wild corners, from floating cabins to miniature castles, tree pods to moored boats. Lose yourself in cosy reading nooks after a day hillwalking in the Peak District, go foraging in Yorkshire’s woodlands, or warm up by the campfire after taking a dip in coastal Cornish waters. Stay in the heart of Wales’ myths and legends, or pitch up at the birthplace of scouting. These rural retreats are ideal for slowing down and switching off, with tips on local walks and watering holes on the doorstep. With spectacular photography on every page, just reading Wild Escapes is an escape in itself.

Making your own bread is a brilliantly satisfying experience. With these simple recipes you can create the perfect loaf in just a few steps and learn how to conjure up all sorts of baked treats, from mouth-watering cinnamon rolls to fluffy hot-cross buns.

Baking enthusiast Jane Eastoe starts with the basics, so you can perfect your bloomer, granary loaf and cottage loaf before moving on to English muffins, crumpets and sourdough. Try your hand at National Trust recipes such as Cornish saffron buns, or wild garlic focaccia and tempting treats such as Danish pastries or jam doughnuts.

There are golden rules to follow throughout and helpful tips that will transform a simple loaf into a thing of beauty. Packed with recipes for breads (including gluten-free), buns and pastries that will taste great and look spectacular, this is the perfect book for bakers of all levels.