THERE are lots of things to join in with at East Riddlesden Hall in May.

Do you know what was more expensive for the tenant farmers living here in the 1840s – food or rent? Have you ever made butter by hand? Do you know the best use for comfrey?

Join our enthusiasts on Saturday May 18 as they share their passion for coins, stamps and the history of money.

A collection of Roman and Victorian coins will take you back through history to explore how the value of money has changed over time.

You’ll be able to count out the coins that you’d need to buy bread, an oxen, or pay a we can’s rent in the Victorian period.

As well as coins, you’ll see a collection of stamps from the Victorian period to the 1935 Silver Jubilee, and learn about how the process of sending a letter has changed over time.

Do you know how butter was traditionally made? How long did it take? How was it stored?

Uncover the history of butter making on Sunday May 26 at 1.30pm to find out.

Join the dairymaid in the Great Barn to see how butter was made before the time of electricity and kitchen appliances, and have a go at making your own butter to take home using traditional techniques.

This hands-on activity can be enjoyed by the whole family. The price is £2 per person to cover the cost of materials.

Take a wander through the gardens with a member of our gardening team on May 20 at 2pm and tap into over 50 years of collective experience.

Learn how to combine good design and colour with wildlife conservation. You’ll leave with inspirations for your own garden as well as hints and tips towards greener gardening.

Along the way we’ll also share with you how the gardens have evolved and grown over time.

Every Tuesday at 2.30pm you can find out more about the wonderful properties of herbs.

Touch, taste, smell and find out about the culinary, medicinal and modern uses for herbs on these relaxed and interactive talks.

Booking isn’t needed for the garden or herb talks, but numbers are limited. We recommend arriving early for these popular events.

If you’re thinking of adding splashes of colour to your own garden then there’s a wonderful selection of plants available in the shop.

We’re proud to stock a range of plants from The Hairy Pot Plant Company. These plants have pots made from the fibres of coconut husk that biodegrade naturally in the soil - simply plant and water.

All plants are grown in environmentally friendly, peat-free compost and are watered and cared for daily by our team. Entry to the shop and plant sale area is free of charge.

Please see online for full details of all our events at nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall/whats-on.

East Riddlesden Hall is open Saturdays to Thursdays, 10.30am-4.30pm. General admission prices apply. Entry is free for National Trust members and under-fives. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall or call 01535 607075.