The National Trust Opens Tom-Foolery at Wimpole This August

BURY ST EDMUNDS, England, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Trust is opening Wimpole Home Farm for its tenth Tomato Festival on the 21st and 22nd August, allowing tomato enthusiasts to see, smell and taste over 50 different varieties of one of Britain's best loved fruits.

Varieties which are available for sampling will include 'orange strawberry', a heart-shaped, deep orange tomato with a strong and sweet taste, and 'black zebra', a deep burgundy tomato, with a sweet, juicy taste.    

Tomato experts will also be on hand to offer advice and encouragement to visitors interested in growing and enjoying home-grown tomatoes, and there will be many stalls and games for visitors to enjoy.

Philip Whaites, head gardener at the National Trust's Wimpole Hall, said: "The Tomato Festival has become really popular over the last ten years.

"Tomatoes are a wonderful, diverse fruit which can be easily grown in a sunny spot in your garden.  

"We'll have expert growers on hand to offer advice, and there will be new recipes for visitors to take away to try."

One such recipe is a tasty Wimpole tomato and basil ice cream, created by Paul Massingham, the National Trust's catering adviser for the region.

He said: "It sounds odd, but this concoction tastes delicious.  There are always more creative things you can do with tomatoes, they're so versatile."

The restaurant at Wimpole will also be selling an array of tomato inspired recipes for visitors to enjoy through the weekend.

The tomato festival at Wimpole runs from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August.  Normal admission prices apply.

About National Trust:

The National Trust is involved in the whole food chain, with 500,000 acres of food producing land, over 150 restaurants and tearooms, and historic kitchen gardens, orchards and mills. The charity has community growing spaces - from allotments to kitchen gardens - at over 50 locations around the country and is increasing these annually.  These spaces inspire the Trust's 3.8 million members, 60,000 volunteers and visitors to think and learn about food glorious food and encourages the idea of grow your own produce.  The National Trust is creating 1,000 new allotment plots on its land in the next three years to give local communities the space to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

More than 30 different outdoor days out activities from canoeing to surfing and rock climbing to walking take place on National Trust land.  With more than 250,000 hectares of countryside and 710 miles of coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are plenty of places to visit and opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with the National Trust.

SOURCE The National Trust