Today is National Biscuit Day. Synonymous with quintessentially British bakes, the event sees Hill Biscuits, the beloved Manchester-based biscuit maker, bringing the local community together with their delicious treats.
From a school bake-off and biscuit donations to care homes and hospices, to sweet snacks at Portland Basin Museum and the planting of hundreds of trees with The National Trust, Hill’s passion for fostering community spirit through their traditional British biscuits remains true since the day it was founded, almost 170 years ago.
Thursday 23rd May: Ready, set, bake! School Biscuit Bake-Off comes to Manchester
Celebrations kicked off in true British style on the 23rd May at Laurus Ryecroft School, in Droylsden, Manchester, where 30 Hospitality and Catering or Food and Nutrition students from Year 10 let the flour fly whilst using Hill’s range of custard creams, gingerbread men and digestives to bake up some biscuit magic!
The students, aged 14 to 15 years old, were supported by three Hill representatives, and were judged on their baking skills, imagination and creativity with different flavours. This was followed by a career talk about future pathways into the food industry. What’s more, the winner was awarded with a book donated by Christine Wallace, a quarter finalist in The Great British Bake Off in 2013, with Hill kindly donating vouchers to the winner and two runner ups.
Frank Bird, Hill CEO explains: “As a nation, we consume the most biscuits in the world per capita. We want to celebrate the success of our industry with something really special that our community can also get involved in. What’s more, we want to bring the joy of a cuppa and a biscuit to everyone, and how better to help reintroduce staffroom breaks too!
National Biscuit Day inspired us to encourage young people to be as creative as they like in the kitchen, using our products in a fun baking competition. And who doesn’t love The Great British Bake Off!”
Ciaran Ellis, Curriculum lead of D&T, Laurus Ryecroft added; “We were delighted to get involved with Hill and their Biscuit Day celebrations. It was very exciting for us as a school but particularly for our Year 10s who are gearing up for their GCSEs next year.”
“This was a challenge with a lot of fun thrown in and our students were thrilled about it. It’s a real treat working with Hill, who are local to us, and as their teacher, the icing on the cake was seeing the students planning their recipes and using their imagination to create something really special.”
Wednesday 29th May: Biscuit giving at Care Homes, Hospices and Community Radios
Hill factory staff will be delivering thousands of biscuits to local care homes, hospices and community radios, to encourage a pause in the day with a biccie and a cuppa. Creating a moment to appreciate the little things in life such as a soothing tea break and a yummy biscuit, bringing colleagues, patients, and families together.
“We’ve become such busy creatures, navigating through our day without a moment’s breath. It’s important to re-introduce the humble tea break with a sweet treat, and get people talking and sharing a moment.” Comments Frank.
Wednesday 29th May: Back in time with a Hill biscuit at Portland Basin Museum
Exploring history through the taste of a biscuit, Hill continues its biscuit day celebrations at Portland Basin Museum housed within the restored nineteenth century Ashton Canal House, in Ashton-under-Lyne. Visitors will be treated to free Hill biscuits whilst exploring local historic exhibits, a renowned past which Hill is a huge part of. In 1855 its family run shop first opened and then in 1893 when the bakery business expanded and moved into Tudno Mill where Hill is still based.
Wednesday 29th May: Biscuits made and trees planted with The National Trust
As the day draws to a close, the baking continues in the Hill factory with 8 million biscuits planned to be baked on National Biscuit Day! Supporting The National Trust, Hill pledges to plant one tree for every 40,000th biscuit produced on the day.
Tracey Meadows, Commercial Director, Hill Biscuits, remarks: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with The National Trust, supporting their work across the country with new trees, 200 of them in fact. This support goes hand in hand with our sustainable practices as we continue to make corporate social responsibility fundamental to our operation.”
Wednesday 29th May: A handy brew to stop the crew at Castlefield Viaduct
Hill’s final stop on National Biscuit Day is at Castlefield Viaduct, National Trust’s sky garden in the heart of Manchester, where CEO Frank Bird will be sitting down with National Trust staff, volunteers and visitors with a cup of tea, sharing tips on the most enjoyable way to indulge in his beloved custard creams.
Taking part in National Biscuit Day is one of many events planned as part of Hill Biscuit’s community engagement, all aimed at giving back to the locality which has been an integral part of Hill’s history. 2025 is especially significant for Hill Biscuits as the company marks its big 170th anniversary with many more initiatives and events coming up.
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