Best Heritage Potato Varieties to Grow (UK Guide)
Heritage (or heirloom/traditional) potato varieties are old-fashioned types that have stood the test of time, often prized for flavour, texture, culinary character, and garden history. Many heritage potatoes have unique colours, shapes and tastes that modern varieties lack — making them great for gardeners who want something special as well as tasty.
Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
Vegetable Plants & Seedlings
Browse Plants
All-Purpose Compost & Soil Improvers
View Compost
Plant Feed & Fertiliser for Strong Growth
Shop Fertiliser
⭐ Recommended Products — Seed Potatoes & Planting Essentials
• Seed Potato Collection (Early, First & Second Earlies)
A mixed pack of quality seed potatoes to plant for a steady harvest from early summer through to autumn. Ideal if you want variety in size and maturity times.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Certified Seed Potatoes (Single Variety Packs)
Choose popular individual varieties (e.g., Maris Piper, Charlotte, King Edward) to suit your taste and growing goals — consistent results from true seed stock.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Potato Grow Bags / Containers
Reusable, breathable bags designed specifically for growing potatoes — great for patios, small gardens, or increasing yield in limited space.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Potato Fertiliser / Soil Booster
Specially formulated feed to support healthy tuber development and improve yields — apply at planting or as a top-dress during the season.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Potato Planting Guides & Markers
Helpful tools and guides that take you through planting depth, spacing, and care — plus reusable markers to keep track of different varieties.
👉 Click here to see top options
What Are Heritage Potato Varieties?
Heritage potatoes are older cultivars that were commonly grown before modern breeding programmes focused on uniformity and storage. They tend to have:
- Distinctive flavours and textures
- Colourful flesh and skin (sometimes purple, red, or yellow)
- Strong culinary identities (e.g., great for salads, mash, roasting)
- Cultural or regional heritage in the UK
Some heritage varieties also have good disease resistance, though they may need careful management compared with some modern types.
Best Heritage Potato Varieties to Grow (UK)
Arran Pilot
A traditional favourite in the UK. Arran Pilot is a first early with excellent new potato flavour, perfect for boiling or salads when freshly harvested.
King Edward
One of the most iconic British potatoes. With pale skin and creamy flesh, King Edward is superb for roasting, baking and mash and grows reliably in UK gardens.
Epicure
A heritage maincrop with a rich flavour and firm flesh. Epicure works well across many cooking methods and is valued for good garden performance.
Pink Fir Apple
A distinctive heritage variety with narrow, knobbly tubers and deep, nutty flavour. Excellent in warm salads and as a waxy boiling potato.
Red Duke of York
A classic early red-skinned variety with great flavour. Best eaten fresh and popular for boiling and salads.
Blue Belle / Vitelotte
An eye-catching potato with blue/purple flesh and skin. Adds colour to salads and side dishes and has a pleasant flavour, though yields can be smaller than modern types.
Lady Christl
A second early with long, elegant tubers and excellent boiling quality. Very popular for classic new potatoes in summer.
Duke of York
Not to be confused with Red Duke of York — a traditional white-skinned second early with fine flavour, great for early summer harvesting.
How to Grow Heritage Potatoes
Chit Before Planting
Pre-sprouting (chitting) seed potatoes in a light, cool spot helps them emerge faster — particularly useful for heritage types in cooler UK springs.
Prepare Soil Well
Work in plenty of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve structure and fertility, which helps heritage potatoes flourish.
Plant in Blocks or Rows
Plant seed potatoes about 10–15 cm deep, with 30–35 cm between plants and 60–75 cm between rows. Block planting improves airflow and reduces disease risk.
Earth Up as They Grow
Mound soil around growing stems to protect developing tubers from light and boost yield.
Water and Feed Appropriately
Keep soil consistently moist during dry spells, and use a balanced organic fertiliser if soil fertility is low.
When to Harvest Heritage Potatoes
- First earlies: around 10–12 weeks after planting
- Second earlies: ~13–15 weeks
- Maincrops: once foliage has died back naturally
Lift gently to avoid bruising delicate heritage tubers.
Cooking Uses for Heritage Potatoes
Heritage potatoes often shine in specific dishes:
- Boiling & Salads: Pink Fir Apple, Lady Christl, Arran Pilot
- Roasting & Baking: King Edward, Epicure
- Colourful Sides: Blue Belle / Vitelotte
Why Grow Heritage Potatoes?
- Unique flavours and textures not always found in modern varieties
- Adds diversity to your garden and plate
- Great for food-centric gardening and traditional cooking
- Fun for gardeners interested in heritage and plant history
Choosing Heritage Potatoes for Your Plot
Grow a mix of early, second early and maincrop heritage varieties to enjoy potatoes from early summer through autumn. Many heritage types also perform well in containers, raised beds and allotments with standard potato care.