Join us on this summer foraging adventure as we traverse the stunning countryside of West Sussex, uncovering the secrets of wild foods and the natural wonders that surround us. Guided by the Estate Forager George, this journey is not just a walk; it’s an exploration of nature through the lens of wild foods and medicinal plants.

During this summer stroll, the spotlight will be on the identification and uses of a diverse array of wild vegetables and herbs scattered throughout our surroundings. Summer is an opportune time for learning foraging, offering a chance to identify a plethora of wild edibles. Many edible species will be in flower, while in other sheltered areas staying in their vegetative state. This unique combination allows us to closely examine each species in every stage of life, illustrating the changes and giving guests confidence foraging at any time of year. George will also showcase how the flavours of a species can transform as it journeys through its season.

Guests will also get to discuss and look at the incredible variety of edible mushrooms that can be found at this time, learning the systems that create them and offering guests a chance to understand the what, where, how and when of mushrooms.

We expect to encounter a large variety of species including Elder, Beefsteak Fungus, Chicken of the woods, Wild Pea Shoots, Water Mint, Sorrel, Common Hogweed, and Yarrow to name a few.

This is a circular walk that commences and concludes at Benbow Pond car park, winding through undulating terrain and lasting approximately 2.5 hours.

Please be sure to wear footwear suitable for varying terrain, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable foraging experience. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Join us on this adventure, where every step brings you closer to the heart of nature’s bounty.

Click here to find out more about Foraging at Cowdray. George will vary walk locations around the Estate to give you the best walk which encapsulates the season. Please see the reminder email sent out before the event to get the exact start location to your walk.

Meet George, Cowdray’s Forager:

George has been foraging and using wild foods for some years, supplying the freshest foraged wild edibles to some of the country’s top restaurants, chefs and food establishments.

After years of being immersed in the ‘wild’ himself, George now focuses on encouraging others to appreciate the significance of our native countryside, and how we can enjoy and protect it for future generations.

Over his years of foraging George has accrued an in-depth knowledge of our countryside, its diverse habitats and the variety of plants and fungi each contains. He has covered the length and breadth of the country from the Scottish Highlands to the moors and coasts of Cornwall, in search of new native edibles as well as sustainable sources to pick them. Working closely with chefs consulting on what, when and how to use each ingredient to best showcase them has led George to be featured on programmes like BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, following the journey from the forests and fields to fork. George now hopes to inspire you on your own adventure of discovery.