Embark on a delightful Spring Forest Feast foraging walk, a journey of exploration spanning the enchanting landscapes of Cowdray Estate, the river Rother, and the encompassing countryside. Led by seasoned Estate forager, George, this 3 – 4 hour adventure unveils the rich tapestry of wild food that surrounds us.
George will be your guide through diverse habitats, providing insights into the what, where, how, and when of each species. Gain a forager’s perspective as you share the experience of seeing the world through the eyes of someone intimately connected to nature. Learn the seasonal nuances and the art of foraging responsibly, appreciating the unique stories that every living thing has to tell.
As you work up an appetite during the walk, George will lead you to a serene wild spot, offering a moment to rest, reflect, and immerse yourself in the preparation of the wild foods you’ve gathered. This hands-on experience aims to demonstrate the accessibility of foraging to everyone, emphasising the delicate balance required to showcase the fantastic and often complex flavors within our native landscape.
Please note that, in an effort to maintain the pristine nature of our picnic spots and minimise environmental impact, cooked food will be prepared using a small gas stove. Seating will be provided using what the surroundings naturally offer, ensuring a harmonious blend of nature and sustenance.
Join us on this enchanting pick-to-picnic foraging walk, where the journey of discovery extends beyond the trails to a shared moment of feasting on the bounties nature graciously provides.
This is a circular walk that commences and concludes at Benbow Pond car park, winding through undulating terrain and lasting approximately 4 hours, with an approximate 2.5 hour Foraging Walk and 1.5 hour picnic experience.
Please be sure to wear footwear suitable for varying terrain, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable foraging experience.
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.