National Geographic Traveller (UK)
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FORAGING FOR WILD INGREDIENTS IN THE UK
Foraging responsibly and discovering the world of wild food is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reconnect with nature. We speak to foraging experts for advice on starting out in the UK. Words: Connor McGovern
Foraging might conjure images of secluded woodland walks with a basket in hand, bulging with mushrooms and edible flowers. But with more than 80% of the UK population living in towns and cities, escaping to remote forests and the like isn’t always easy. “The simplest place to start is literally on your doorstep — your garden, if you have one,” says Martin Bailey. Based in Bristol, Martin heads up Go Foraging, which runs guided foraging walks in Wales, the South and the South West. “Pick three or four plants and really go to town on them. Reliable sources can tell you what to pick, what parts do what, and so on. It’s endless.”
One in eight UK households doesn’t have a garden, although most of us live closer to Mother Nature’s plentiful larder than we might think. The advice from most experienced foragers is to head to your local park to see what you can find.
Once you’ve got to grips with what’s on offer nearby, there are countless possibilities. The UK is blessed with a rich variety of ecosystems that are a haven for foraging, from ancient woodland to hedgerows alongside railway lines and canal towpaths.
“Woodland and hedgerows are actually some of the best places to forage,” says Helen Keating, content manager at the Woodland Trust. “In those habitats alone, you’re bound to come across edible plants wherever you go, such as wild garlic, blackberries, elder or sloes, dependent on the season.”
“Foraging is a form of mindfulness,” says John Rensten. After two decades of running Forage London in the capital, John relocated to Dorset, where he still organises numerous foraging events,. “You’ll soon realise there’s so much hiding in plain sight,” he says. “That realisation can be quite transformative.”