Date: 13 August 2026 

York Castle Museum whips up Victorian picnic recipes for summer that everyone should try. 

Taste a slice of Victorian history at York Castle Museum, with traditional recipes to try throughout the remainder of August and early September. On offer are Balmoral Tarts, Sponge Cake, Tea Cream and Apple Cheesecake, picnic staples of the nineteenth century offering a flavour of the past for museum visitors. 

The summer picnic has a long history, starting with French origins as far back as the Middle Ages, before becoming popularised in eighteenth century. By the time the Victorians were making their mark, it was an established part of the English summer. 

Fortnum and Mason dominated the picnic basket market, which originally contained over 24 bottles of alcohol, and an array of lobsters, pies, meats, cheeses, bread and peaches. As transport and cheaper alternatives became available, more people started picnicking throughout the summer at desirable spots outdoors. 

York Castle Museum draws attention to picnics in their summer programme with a nod to the Victorian’s answer to a ‘celebrity chef’ Mrs Beeton, who wrote many cookbooks in the 1860s. Her picnic recipes were designed for large groups, with instructions for groups of 20 and 40 people! 

The team at York Castle Museum are giving visitors a chance to taste some of Mrs Beeton’s picnic staples. Demonstrations and samples will be available on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 5 September. Though some recipes may sound familiar, the Victorian ‘treats’ might not be all they seem… 

The Victorians had some other weird and wonderful recipes such as egg wine and ice creams flavoured with spinach and cucumber! Mrs Beeton documented several in her cookbooks and although York Castle Museum is only trying four of the more ‘normal’ ones, visitors can find a cucumber-shaped ice cream mould on display in the Period Rooms.  

Visitors can also explore some more recent food history in the 1940s and 1980s recreated kitchens and spot some familiar foodie favourites. Visitors can relax in the museum’s Mill Grounds with their own picnic and continue the summer tradition.  

Book tickets now via York Castle Museum’s website to enjoy these treats and more for the remainder of the school holidays.