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 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

This guidebook tells the full story of this special place, from its origins as a timber-framed yeomans hall-house through to its 1920s restoration; a place that has continued to surprise and delight visitors since it was left to the National Trust nearly a century ago. Saved from destruction by Arts and Crafts scholar, Aymer Vallance, this medieval hall-house isnt quite what it seems. Starting life around 1480, Stoneacre was built from the ragstone quarry in which the house sits. Yet when Arts and Crafts scholar and disciple of William Morris, Aymer Vallance, bought Stoneacre in 1922 his wife remarked that it was practically a ruin. After years of neglect, Stoneacre had fallen into a state of disrepair. Together with his architect, Marshall Harvey, Vallance set about restoring the dilapidated house, and adding to it with parts from other local Tudor buildings and his own stained glass window designs. This guidebook tells the full story of this special place, from its origins as a timber-framed yeomans hall-house through to its 1920s restoration; a place that has continued to surprise and delight visitors since it was left to the National Trust nearly a century ago.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the joy of growing and using plants indoors and outdoors, no matter how limited your space. This beautifully illustrated book is a modern, fresh take on gardening that shows how anyone can grow their own vegetables, create a mini wildflower meadow or learn how to make the most of their houseplants. And you don't need your own garden to get started. Creating a thriving window box, choosing suitable plant pots for a desktop oasis or joining a local community garden are perfect ways to experience the joys of gardening. Learn which plants will encourage wildlife, discover what works best for your space (no matter how small), find inspiration, experiment with colour, texture and techniques. Whatever you choose to grow, you'll be doing one of the best activities there is to enhance your sense of well-being and improve your physical health - so grab those seeds, pick up the watering can and get growing!

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.

The ideal gift for everyone who loves nature and the outdoors. 60 of Britain's unmissable wildlife wonders and where you can see them. This book shows you 60 of Britain's unmissable, world-class wonders of nature and tells you where you can find them. From starling murmurations in Somerset to otters in Shetland, from glowworms in Dorset to golden eagles in the Cairngorms. Along the way you'll also discover natural wonders that are right under your nose in your garden or even in the centre of a town - like hearing the dawn chorus and glimpsing a charm of goldfinches. A sequel to the very successful Great British Bucket List.

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.

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.

More than 100 poems about Britain's nature in a beautifully illustrated book Seven chapters touch on different aspects of the British countryside, including seasons, birds and wildlife, woods, water, moors and mountains. This carefully chosen collection will inspire you to explore nature through a poet's eye - the perfect antidote to 'times when the world is too much with us', as Wordsworth so beautifully put it. There are celebrated poems by the greats - Keats, Yeats, Tennyson, Robert Browning, Christina Rossetti, Philip Larkin, Sylvia Plath, John Masefield, Robert Burns, Dylan Thomas - as well as others by contemporary poets whose work you will want to seek out and explore further, including Carol Anne Duffy, Simon Armitage and Jean Sprackland. Where poems have links to National Trust sites, footnotes are included to explain the connections.

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.

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.

Discover Beatrix Potter's lovely farmhouse and cottage garden and see how her surroundings inspired many scenes in her books, and how, in later life, she reinvented herself as a farmer, landowner, conservationist and National Trust supporter. It is thanks to her that the Lake District remains one of the most spectacular corners of England. Hill Top is a shrine to Beatrix Potter, each room imbued with her spirit. The house she bought with the royalties from her first and most famous book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, became her cabinet of curiosities, a giant dolls house where she would arrange and re-arrange her things as she liked. Every painting, piece of furniture and antique had symbolic or emotional meaning to her. Featuring new photography, illustrations from the little books and photographs of Beatrix and her family, this new guidebook traces the fascinating story of this extraordinary woman. Peppered with quotes from Beatrix, it reveals her lonely London childhood, how she became a successful author and illustrator, and how she fell in love with the Lakes and acquired Hill Top. Readers will discover her lovely farmhouse and cottage garden and see how her surroundings inspired many scenes in her little books, and how, in later life, she reinvented herself as a farmer, landowner, conservationist and National Trust supporter. Today, it is thanks to her that the Lake District remains one of the most spectacular corners of England.

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.

A must-have cookbook and guide for food lovers who want to be greener A Good Appetite is packed with practical information and recipes for making the way you shop and cook more planet-friendly. There are brilliant bite-sized guides to everything from eating with the seasons, batch cooking and the best ways to use your freezer to foraging and growing some of your own food. And there are more than 50 delicious recipes that are designed to be adapted in hundreds of ways to suit what's in season or your store cupboard. It's the foundation of years of great meals. By avoiding food waste and stretching expensive ingredients, there's a payoff for your pocket too, which is important in these thrifty times. Jenny Chandler has created an invaluable guide that can change the way you cook - for yourself, friends and family - for good.

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'.

The perfect stocking filler for jam-makers this Christmas. Why settle for the same old jams when you could try something deliciously different? Jams With a Twist will take your jam making to a whole new level. Liven things up with alcohol, essences, cordials, syrups, teas, spices, nuts, nibs and kernels. Go foraging for exciting new ingredients. Create double- and triple-layered jams. Float fruit, flowers and herbs in your jellies. Or treat yourself to classic jammy desserts made in jars! Whether you are new to jam making or an old hand, these delicious recipes will inspire you to mix things up and try something new.

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.

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.

'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.

A glorious celebration of nature and the simple pleasures of walking.  A glorious celebration of nature and the simple pleasures of walking.  This pocket-sized book has a perfect country walk for every time of year. The 100 walks show you the highlights of every season, from the beautiful bluebell woods of spring and the wildflower meadows of summer to the spectacular colours of autumn and the stark grandeur of winter. The routes cover all of Britain (including Scotland) and they’re all easy or moderate in their difficulty – ideal for relaxed strolls and families. As well a map and comprehensive directions, each walk has information about other fun activities in the area and nearby cafes and restaurants.

A fascinating, inspiring gift book that helps you make the most of nature, with something to spot for every day of the year. This book proves that nature isn't something you visit from time to time; it's everywhere - even in the densest concrete jungle. You can find nearly all of the natural wonders in this book within a mile of your front door. There are 365 to look for - one for every day of year, organised by month. From mushrooms to meteors, from moths to mosses, it's incredible what you can find when you look. With witty and lyrical text and beautiful illustrations, this is a gift book that will transform how you see the world and build a greater connection to the natural world for the rest of your life.