It might not be everyone's idea of Sunday lunch, but the National Trust is inviting you to dine at one of its famous manor houses next weekend – with squirrel and game stew on the top of the menu!

Mike Tafft, the chef at Snowshill Manor in Gloucestershire, is the man tasked with cooking just about everything edible that the restaurant team and gardeners can find in the grounds of this ancient property.

And to get your tastebuds going, you can sample some stinging nettles – transformed into a mouth-watering soup, and keep out the winter cold with a tot or two of sloe gin.

But the highlight will probably be the slow-roasted squirrel, spiced up with elderberry pickle or a spoonful of crab- apple jelly. And if that lot doesn't fill you up, then traditional blackberry and apple pie, or bowberry brule might be just the ticket.

Snowshill property manager Dominic Hamilton explained: "We hope it will give people the opportunity to taste something different, and all the food in the restaurant on Saturday and Sunday will be either caught or picked from the gardens. Grey squirrels were eaten in large numbers in the past, and are becoming part of the menus of top London restaurants. If the idea doesn't appeal, there will be plenty of different items on the menu. This will be a bit of a learning curve for Mike Tafft too!

"The menu will have to be decided almost on the day of opening, because we don't know what we will be able to gather, but there will be plenty to eat and the main course is likely to be about £7.50."

All the produce in the proprty's kitchen garden is grown primarily for consumption in the restaurant.

Orders from the kitchen are taken most days, so the produce is fresh. Vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, French beans, courgettes, spinach, carrots, runner beans and sunflowers are grown. All are rotated year by year and surrounded by African marigolds whose flowers attract beneficial insects that feed off any pests.

The manor house itself is closed at this time of the year, but the garden is open to visitors at weekends and contains various architectural features and a profusion of colourful and scented flowers and plants.

Most of the gates and garden furniture are painted in "Wade Blue", a colour developed by Charles Wade, the architect of the property. He believed there was no green paint to better nature's own greens.

Anne Coombes, predecessor of the current gardener in charge, instigated organic gardening at Snowshill. It has continued for 14 years.

Areas along the visitor route to the manor have been planted with British native shrubs; sloe, hawthorn, wild privet, guelder rose, wild roses, hazel, random yew and holly, field maple, dog wood, spindle berry, elderberry and many more. All are beneficial either because they produce early blossom, nuts or fruits or provide habitat. With this area so close to the manor garden itself, the wildlife must also find the natural food reserves there.

Insect boxes have been provided for bees, ladybirds, and lacewings.

Old clay drainage pipes situated around the medieval fishpond and damp areas contain the frogs and toads. Piles of stone provide shelter and cover for all sorts of small mammals and invertebrates.

Fallen ash trunks are left as habitat and food sources for more animals and insects.

Snowshill, nr Broadway, Gloucestershire WR12 7JU. Call: 01386 852410. Wildfood Weekend Saturday and Sunday November 22 and 23, 12-4pm. Admission £1 adults and 50p children. Free for National Trust members. No need to book. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshillmanor

Dunster Castle, nr Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6SL. Call 01643 823004. Victorian Household at Christmas. Saturday, November 29 at 11am. £6. Find out how the servants would have prepared for Christmas on a guided tour of the domestic wing, then exit through the beautifully decked Castle Halls where demonstrations of garland-making will be taking place. Includes warming festive refreshment. Not accessible for wheelchair users. www.nationaltrust.org. uk/dunstercastle

Avebury, Nr Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1RF. Call 01672 539250. Yuletide. Saturday, November 29, Wednesday, December 31. 11am-4.30pm. Discover the folklore of Yuletide with a children's trail or just indulge in mince pies and mulled wine after a crisp walk to make your cheeks glow! Surprise your loved ones with alternative Christmas presents available in the National Trust Shop. Normal admission price. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury