Connecting you to nature through foraging and improving physical and mental health in the process.
Log in to Nature
What is Foraging?
Foraging can mean slightly different things to different people, but to me,ย foraging is searching for, identifying and gathering wild natural resources that can be of use – primarily as food but also for medicinal and bushcraft purposes.
Who am I?
My name’s James, lover of life and powered by positivity and perspective! I grew up on a North Yorkshire farm and fell in love with the countryside and nature from an early age.
My love of foraging started on nature walks with my parents, where picking wild food was just a way of life. In adulthood, I followed a different path but hit a low point in 2015 which re-ignited a passion for foraging. By the Spring of 2016, foraging was a hobby, then an obsession, and in 2022, The Forager Within was born with a mission to connect people to nature and improve physical and mental health in the process.
I also love hikes, James Bond, wine, astronomy, cacti and crocodiles! You can learn more about me and my journey to setting up The Forager Within here.
Driven by Purpose
I set up The Forager Within to teach people about wild food foraging, but with the higher purpose of connecting people to nature and helping improve physical and mental health in the process. I believe that both we and the planet would benefit from moving closer to nature. My mission is to help make that happen.
My Courses
My public foraging courses run in and around Huddersfield (West Yorkshire), Sheffield (South Yorkshire), Northallerton (North Yorkshire) and Manchester.ย All 2026 dates are now live!ย Gift Vouchers are also available.
I also run private events such as corporate foraging events for businesses, children’s foraging events such as for schools and scout groups, foraging events for hen and stag dos, and many more, anywhere in mainland UK.ย To enquire about private events please contact me via email (james@theforagerwithin.co.uk) or phone (07712 213470).
EXCELLENT Based on 167 reviews Posted on Google Adam Harrison7 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. James is such a knowledgable and friendly instructor. He can teach you so much in such a short space of time. Very entertaining as well as informative and I would highly recommend this experience to anyone!Posted on Google Adam Dobson7 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome experience. Got to learn all the plants and how to eat it right. Not every day you see a squishy mushroom get dubbed 'Jelly Ear' ๐. Food was excellent. I loved how it was all made from the garden and would fancy to try again. ๐Posted on Google Susie Fox6 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An extremely well-led, interesting day-long foraging course, with a delicious lunch eaten outside. A variety of plants and trees were identified as edible, and ways to use the parts of the plants were explained. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.Posted on Google Nina Wright5 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great morning with James, it was really interesting and fun. I learned a lot and had no idea of the variety of edible things that I used to just walk by and not notice. This was followed by a delicious lunch and homemade elderflower fizz - lovely. Would highly recommend for a fun day outPosted on Google Deb Jacobs4 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a team building day last week and it was lovely to be out in the fresh air for a few hours learning all things foraging!Posted on Google Nicola3 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We arranged a foraging day with James for all our staff. Although there were over 20 of us in total, James did a fabulous job getting us involved and trying the different food that can be found in our own countryside. He really knows his stuff and answered all our questions enthusiastically. We would like to thank James and his assistant for the wonderful food provided at the end of our walk, the soup and pesto were delicious. I would definitely recommend this course, whether you like the outdoors or not! Thanks again.Posted on Google Spencer Blythe3 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very fun day out! Never thought I'd eat a nettle and lemon cake but I would definitely have it again! Learnt plenty about what you can and can't eat out in the wild, so I now feel well prepared. Also learnt a new name for sticky weed, which you'll have to found out for yourself! ๐Posted on Google Jennifer Crowder3 August 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Myself and a friend booked onto a morning foraging course with James in the summer time. James was very knowledgable and made us feel comfortable with being newbies to foraging. We had a fantastic time and learnt loads about edible foliage, fruit, flowers and funghi as well as use of seeds we can use in cooking or snack on. I look forward to practising with the information we have learnt. Would highly recommend and are considering booking onto another course to experience a different season of the year. Thank you James!Posted on Google Lucy Harrison17 July 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely brilliant!!! James is so so knowledgeable but also explains things in an easy to understand and clear way. Gives you the confidence to explore in your own time and be confident in what no to eat. As well as advice on identification there is advice on cooking and possibilities of what you could do with plants and the benefits of these. 10/10 recommend anyone who has thought about foraging book with James! The lunch was also deliciousPosted on Google Gillian Munro22 June 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great first time foraging experience for me and Nige. Very informative stunning location. James had some wonderful treats at the end too we could eat. We will def be back in autumn for mushroom knowledge. Get booked on this letโs get back to nature!! Thanks James.
