The Forager Within - Foraging Courses across the UK

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, 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. All 2026 dates are now live! Spring and early Summer 2027 dates will be live by the 4th of December. 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. To enquire about private events please contact me via email (james@theforagerwithin.co.uk) or phone (07712 213470).

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 180 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Ian Hamilton 
 4 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. James was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and helpful, we found his mushroom foraging course very informative and highly recommend it.
  
 
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   Sarah B 
 4 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic morning at Fletcher Moss Park with James. Blown away by how many edible and medicinal plants we walk past every day! James explained everything in a really engaging and easily understood way and made sure that we were confident enough to safely make a start on our own and I can't wait to get started!
  
 
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   Mick Prescott 
 24 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Recently had a superb day with James learning all about foraging. Great to have someone so passionate about their subject teach us. Thank you!
  
 
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   Richard Summerhayes 
 22 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a great time on this course.
James is very knowledgeable and genuinely happy to share this on the course.
We found many mushrooms and James was always ready to explain and detail all the ways of identifying them.
As we had the full days course, James served up a delicious Mushroom soup, mushroom pate and a  wild garlic pesto for lunch. There was even cake (with nettle seeds) and a jam. Very tasty.
A very good day and hopefully we shall do more courses in a different season.
I’m currently dehydrating the large “Penny Bun” that we foraged! 😀
  
 
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   Jason carter 
 20 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great day from start to finish. James was the perfect instructor and host for our full day foraging course. Would highly recommend for anyone looking looking to start or gain extra knowledge in thd art of foraging.
  
 
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   Chris Hide 
 15 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A very enjoyable experience. James’ knowledge of foraging was amazing - he kept the whole group engaged for the whole session, starting with the linden tree, covering many types of mushroom, moving on to berries & nettles - extremely informative. We then had a lovely lunch, with foraged mushroom soup, wild mushroom pate, nettle seed lemon cake and a delicious elderberry cordial. We would highly recommend any of James’ experiences - many thanks!
  
 
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   Jenny Rice 
 13 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a wonderful morning foraging in the knowledgeable and engaging company and direction of James Hill, followed by a delicious lunch inspired by foraged ideas.
James’ passion and delivery style was great and he had the group interested from the start. It was all easy to understand and the right level for us to learn more than we knew - not easy to get right. Thank you. Would certainly recommend to anyone wanting to see beyond the hedgerow and woodland floors and not be afraid to try!
  
 
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   Chas McLaughlin 
 6 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a phenomenal full day session with James and he was truly knowledgeable about all things foraging. The midday meal foraged meal was incredible enough to warrant multiple requests for the recipes. By the end of the session, I'd gathered enough knowledge to procure my own resources and go on my own solo forages and I never would have had the confidence to do so before attending this course.
  
 
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   Michelle Moorhouse 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great time on the foraging with James. Highly recommend him. James has so much knowledge and advice and the lunch was perfect, accommodating dietary needs too which I did not expect to be so good!
I would definitely go again. Learnt lots and met lovely people as well.
  
 
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   Charlie Chuter 
 27 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. James Hosted an excellent corporate team-building foraging experience for our team of 24 in Bishopstoke. He was engaging, very knowledgeable and more than happy to answer any questions we had. He kept the group's attention (which isn't easy with such a large group!) and provided a wild food buffet that catered to all of our dietary requirements and was delicious!

Overall a very fun day out in the woods, I'd highly recommend the experience.