Hedgerow Foraging
from £245.00
During this ever-popular foraging course you'll discover the wild food secrets of Britain’s hedgerows, with a day of countryside foraging at River Cottage HQ.
Our beautiful local Devon hedgerows, woodland and fields are full of wild food secrets, easily shared when you know what you are looking for and where to find it. This immersive one-day course is the perfect introduction to hedgerow foraging, encompassing the local environment including our stunning 100 acre farm.
Led by our foraging expert John Wright, author of the River Cottage Hedgerow Handbook, you will hunt for a wide range of wild food, learning how to identify and gather your crop. In John’s trusted and experienced hands, you will understand how to forage responsibly and safely, only picking what you need. On our forays we take just two baskets for the entire group – one for edible finds and the other for interesting discoveries. We never pick anything rare or the same species twice.
Our River Cottage chefs will prepare a delicious two course seasonal forager’s lunch before John hosts the afternoon masterclass. Learn more about the seasonal bounty you have picked, the rules of conservation and the harder to find exotic, lesser found species followed by a wild food cookery demo. At the end of the day you will leave with a signed copy of the River Cottage Hedgerow Handbook, new found foraging skill and an eye on every hedgerow!
Your day
10.00 - 17.00
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Arrive at River Cottage
You’ll be met at the top of the hill and begin your River Cottage experience with a 10-15 minute walk through the pathways down to the farm, enabling you to really soak up the views of the valley.
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Make yourself at home
You will be greeted by our friendly front of house team with tea, coffee and treats fresh from the kitchen. Your host John Wright will begin by introducing the day before you set off on your forage.
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Morning forage
You’ll explore the beautiful countryside that surrounds River Cottage HQ. John will teach you how to safely identify and pick different wild foods. We can’t guarantee what you’ll find on the forage, but there will always be plenty to talk about.
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Snack break
We’ll keep your energy levels up with tea and coffee and some delicious snacks as you go.
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A further forage
After your snack, you'll resume your foray and see what else you might find.
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Late lunch
Food is always the focus at River Cottage, and a delicious seasonal two-course lunch will be one of the highlights of your day.
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Demo session one
The afternoon session will cover conservation, recognition, poisonous and exotic species and the laws of foraging.
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Demo session two
John will continue to inspire and entertain you as you’re treated a demonstration of the dishes that can be created with simple ingredients from the wild, and you’ll get some tasters along the way too.
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Departure
At the end of the day you’ll head back up the hill at 5pm to our carpark with your signed book in hand, full of the confidence to get the most out of your hedgerow hikes.
Please note: This is a guide to the activities that will make up your course at River Cottage. This is by no means set in stone and will depend on seasonal availability.
On occasion cookery schools will use equipment that includes induction hobs. It is recommended that people with pace makers should not work on these units. If you are concerned or would like to check whether or not induction hobs will be used on the course you are interested in, please call us on 01297 630302.
Further information...
This course is run from River Cottage HQ on the Dorset/Devon borders. Full address details of HQ will be provided once you have booked.
We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.
Stay in our famous Farmhouse, click here. For other local accommodation click here.
We would advise that this course is only really suitable for 12 years of age and upwards. Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. We put these guidelines in place for the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all our guests.
With many of our courses there are often treats and leftovers to take away with you. In our quest to be more sustainable we are encouraging guests to bring their own containers and bags to transport their produce home. Details of what is required for each course will be included in booking emails.
- Sustainable Restaurant Association
- Food and Travel Magazine 2017
- Great British Food Awards 2017
- Great British Food Awards 2018