Inspire Me

Recipes from a Victorian Kitchen

The Servants' Wing at Audley End House and Gardens in Essex is the perfect place to experience Victorian life.

With its stunning open range, high ceilings, wonderful copper pans and kitchenware, the kitchens at Audley End would have been a hive of activity in Victorian England, as the cook and her staff busily prepared dishes for Lord and Lady Braybrooke.

Mrs Avis Crocombe was the cook at Audley End in the 1880s and we have brought some of her recipes to life in the kitchens she worked in.

Visit Audley End House & Gardens

A Real Victorian Cookbook

Mrs Avis Crocombe was the head cook at Audley End House in the 1880s. She compiled many different recipes in her handwritten cookery book which includes a range of Victorian delights - including a recipe for roasted swan!

We use these recipes as inspiration for our cookery videos which you can find on the English Heritage YouTube channel.

The cookbook is now safely archived at Audley End, but the wonderful kitchens are open for exploration and visitors can venture inside to discover what life was life for kitchen staff in the Victorian era.

The Recipes A Victorian cup of tea

Join Mrs Crocombe as she takes a break from her busy day of cooking to make a pot of tea in the kitchens of Audley End House.

Join Mrs Crocombe as she takes a break from her busy day of cooking to make a pot of tea in the kitchens of Audley End House.

The Recipes Victorian Biscuits

Mrs Crocombe is baking some Queen Drop Biscuits for Lord and Lady Braybrooke in the kitchens of Audley End.

Mrs Crocombe is baking some Queen Drop Biscuits for Lord and Lady Braybrooke in the kitchens of Audley End.

The Recipes Victoria Sandwiches

Join Mrs Crocombe as she bakes a batch of delicious Victorian Sandwiches in the kitchens of Audley End House - just in time for afternoon tea.

Join Mrs Crocombe as she bakes a batch of delicious Victorian Sandwiches in the kitchens of Audley End House - just in time for afternoon tea.

The Recipes Cooking with Apples

It's harvest season at Audley End House and Mrs Crocombe is using apples straight from the kitchen garden to create a jolly treat.

It's harvest season at Audley End House and Mrs Crocombe is using apples straight from the kitchen garden to create a jolly treat.

The Recipes Cucumber ice cream

Did you know the Victorians were partial to sweet desserts and iced cream? Discover their ingenious technique for producing frozen puddings without an electric freezer in sight.

Did you know the Victorians were partial to sweet desserts and iced cream? Discover their ingenious technique for producing frozen puddings without an electric freezer in sight.

The Recipes Victorian Pancakes

Join Mrs Crocombe as she uses up all the rich ingredients from the pantry to create some traditional pancakes.

Join Mrs Crocombe as she uses up all the rich ingredients from the pantry to create some traditional pancakes.

A Victorian cup of tea
Victorian Biscuits
Victoria Sandwiches
Cooking with Apples
Cucumber ice cream
Victorian Pancakes

Audley End Events

Go behind the scenes at Audley End House and experience for yourself the inner workings of a Victorian kitchen.

On our special event days, you can meet Mrs Crocombe as she prepares a meal for the family, learn from the stable-hands while they groom the horses, and meet housekeeper Mrs Warwick and other members of staff as they organise the house for the day.

There are also plenty of other ways to get 'hands on' with history by taking part in our events happening across the country.

Search all events

You Might Also Enjoy...

  • Blog: The Queen and her Cakes

    Curator Michael Hunter gives a brief account of a quintessential British institution, afternoon tea, and gets to the bottom of three cakes closely associated with Queen Victoria.

  • Subscribe on YouTube

    Uncover the story of England as we bring history to life on screen. Subscribe to the English Heritage YouTube channel and never miss a video.

  • Membership from £46

    Delve deeper into the past and enjoy unlimited access to over 400 historic places, with free entry for up to six accompanying children.

  • Shop: Gifts for Cooks

    Get ready to bake with our range of products from the Mary Berry Collection and our award winning scrumptious curds, jams and chutneys.

'step into englands story