Hedgerow Foraging
Foraging Course with John Wright River Cottage Expert
Join John Wright, renowned for his appearances on the River Cottage TV shows and author of the River Cottage Hedgerow Handbook, for an enriching day of foraging in the beautiful Devon countryside. Learn to identify and gather wild food, all while discovering how to forage responsibly and sustainably.
Under John’s expert guidance, you’ll explore the wild bounty of the hedgerows and woodlands on our 100-acre farm. After a morning of foraging, enjoy a delicious two-course lunch made with your finds, followed by a wild food cookery demonstration.
Scroll down to see the full itinerary and book your spot for this unforgettable foraging experience!
“A delightful day, in a delightful setting, eating delightful food with a delightful host. Thanks to John Wright for making the day so much fun.” Glenn, June 2023
Highlights
- Meet John Wright, author of the River Cottage Hedgerow Handbook.
- Head out on a guided forage in beautiful Devon hedgerows and woodlands.
- Learn how to safely identify edible plants and foraged ingredients.
- Discover new recipes during our chefs’ demonstration.
- Tuck into a delicious two-course lunch featuring your foraged finds.
Your day
10:00 - 17:00
Arrive at River Cottage
You’ll be greeted at the top of the hill and begin your River Cottage experience with a 10-15 minute walk down the pathways to the farm, allowing you to fully soak up the views of the valley.
Make yourself at home
You will be welcomed by our friendly front-of-house team with tea, coffee, and treats fresh from the kitchen. Your host, John Wright, will introduce the day before you set off on your forage.
Morning forage
You’ll explore the beautiful countryside surrounding River Cottage HQ. John will teach you how to safely identify and pick various wild foods. While we can’t guarantee what you’ll find during the forage, there will always be plenty to discuss.
Snack break
We’ll keep your energy levels up with tea, coffee, and delicious snacks throughout the day.
A further forage
After your snack, you’ll continue your foray to discover what else you might find.
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.
Demo session one
The afternoon session will cover conservation, how to recognise poisonous and exotic species, and the laws of foraging.
Demo session two
John will continue to inspire and entertain you with a demonstration of dishes that can be created using simple wild ingredients, and you’ll enjoy some tasters along the way.
Departure
At the end of the day, you’ll head back up the hill at 5 PM to our car park, feeling confident to make the most of your hedgerow hikes.
Further Information
Directions
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.
Licensed Venue
We are a licensed venue. We have a wide selection of the finest organic wines available to purchase.
Accommodation
If you would like to stay at the heart of River Cottage, we offer overnight accommodation at River Cottage HQ in our beautiful 17th century farmhouse. We have three stylishly refurbished bedrooms for B&B plus the 2-bedroom Gardener's Cottage. These get booked quickly so for more information go to rivercottage.net/stay to book. Alternatively, we have put together a list of our local accommodation which includes B&Bs, self-catering, hotels and camping.
Suitability
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.
Allergy Advice
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies when booking.
