What to expect on the day

Before the day

When you book, you receive the meeting point and travel details for the woodland near London and Brighton (Haywards Heath area). The exact site is never published - that is standard foraging practice and it protects the wood as much as the finds.

The shape of the afternoon

We gather, we cover the ground rules, and then we walk - slowly. Foraging is the opposite of hiking: the distance is short and the looking is everything. I teach as we go, from whatever the wood gives us that day. Expect to handle real finds, use a hand lens properly, and hear the story behind each species: where it grows, what mimics it, and how to be certain.

What to wear and bring

Waterproof jacket, boots or wellies, water, and layers - woods are cooler than streets. A basket or paper bag if you have one (plastic bags sweat the finds). Hand lenses are provided. Rain does not cancel a walk; it usually improves it.

Harvesting, honestly

Some weeks the wood is generous and some weeks it is quiet - fruiting follows weather, not bookings. Every walk teaches identification regardless, and when we do harvest, you will know exactly why each find is safe before it goes in the basket.

Getting there

The woodland is around an hour from London. Travel details, including the nearest station and lift-sharing, are sent with your booking confirmation.