Our spring herbal day offers a fantastic opportunity to discover the many medicinal and culinary uses of common hedgerow herbs.

 

The course will be led by local medical herbalist Eleanor Gallia, who specialises in native plants and the role of local remedies for both people and planetary healing. You may have seen Eleanor treating Hugh to a relaxing herbal bath and medieval makeover as part of the Beyond River Cottage series. This is a wonderful chance to benefit from her enormous knowledge yourself.

 

You will start the morning with Eleanor, foraging and gathering wild plants around the hedgerows and wild flower meadows of Park Farm, the home of River Cottage HQ. The focus of the day will be on cleansing, and detoxifying herbs to refresh and revitalize you after the long dark nights of winter. The morning's harvest should include cleavers, nettles, dandelions, wild water mint, sorrel and hawthorn flowers.

 

On returning to HQ, there will be a demonstration of wild food recipes from one of the River Cottage chefs, followed by a delicious, seasonal lunch, based around the wild herbs you have gathered.

 

In the afternoon, Eleanor will talk further about the amazing healing properties of plants, and the importance of living in tune with nature. She will also demonstrate various herbal applications; juices, tonics, teas and tinctures. There will be plenty of opportunity for you to ask Eleanor questions and all of our guests will leave with a booklet especially designed for the course which will include all of the culinary and medicinal recipes demonstrated during the day.

 

This event is demonstration based. Practical participation is not required, although volunteers are encouraged to take part in the demonstrations, at some point during the day

 

Location: This course is run from River Cottage H.Q on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of H.Q. will be provided once you have booked

Wine/drink: We are a licensed venue. We also have a Bring Your Own policy and we do not charge corkage. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines. We will be serving Elderflower cordial and iced water from our own well.

PLEASE NOTE THAT HUGH WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THESE EVENTS

Accommodation: If you need local accommodation, click here for a list of hotels and bed & breakfasts, recommended to us by our customers. We don't have camping facilities but for information on local campsites and self catering accommodation, call the Lyme Regis Tourist Information Office on 01297 442 138. They will be very happy to help.

Age: We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12yrs of age and upwards. Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult. We put these guidelines for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.

Time: 10am - 5pm

 

If you are interested in this you might be interested in Hugh's book A Cook on the Wildside which is only available from us and has a limited print run.