Events

Join us for a practical, hands-on foraging workshop led by Wild North Discovery.

There's plenty of wild food growing all around us. In fact, our ancestors survived through foraging for wild food before they started growing their own food 7,000 years ago. We hunted wild animals and picked wild plants to eat. It was really important to know edible plants and wild mushrooms from poisonous plants and poisonous toadstools; it was literally a matter of life or death!

This is a big subject but our activity leader from Wild North Discovery has been foraging for wild food and wild mushrooms since the early 1980s, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.

We’ll be out in the countryside on the immediate edge of Kirkby Stephen, exploring the wide range of edible and poisonous plants to be found, getting plenty of useful tips on identification, discussing preparation and also doing some tasting. Particularly as the spring season should be a time of abundance, we certainly anticipate there's plenty to be discovered!

In addition to safe wild food foraging, you’ll also learn about the legalities of foraging in the countryside.

Things to know before you book

Meeting location: The group will initially gather outside the Upper Eden Visitor Centre (TIC) prominently located on the main street of Kirkby Stephen, before proceeding as a group the short distance down to cross historic Frank's Bridge over the River Eden, where our foraging workshop will then commence along public rights of way.

Accessibility: The workshop will involve walking moderate distances of up to 1-2 miles on rough ground along public footpaths, which will likely include obstacles such as gates, stiles and steps.

What to wear: Wear sensible outdoor shoes suitable for walking in the countryside, and appropriate weatherproof outer layers for conditions on the day. This event will go ahead rain or shine!

You might also be interested in:

Hear about the inspiring LILAC community housing development in Leeds, at our talk by one of its residents. This pioneering development was created by local people to meet their needs. It's a stunning place, with 20 eco homes, including straw bale and blocks of flats, and even allotments and a pond!

Find out more >

Part of our ongoing programme of Green Build & Sustainable Living events. Keep an eye on our website for more events throughout the year.