Riversdown’s grounds are bursting with fruit and, thanks to this year’s very hot summer, the figs have finally ripened for the first time in many years.  Figs have grown in the UK for centuries, and featured in a jam recipe from the time of Jane Austen with orange, lemon and ginger.

In addition, the garden here always produces rhubarb, which many have enjoyed as a crumble for dessert.  The recipe can be found in the Riversdown cookbook.  The stalks of rhubarb are most commonly cooked with sugar and take on a bright, pink colour.