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! 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 158 reviews Posted 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 let’s get back to nature!! Thanks James.Posted on Google Sam Mccormick8 June 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great course, James is a friendly guide. Thanks for a great day and lovely lunch.Posted on Google Harry McHugh6 June 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing experience, James is highly knowledgeable and a great chef, the lunch was very good. Would highly recommend!Posted on Google Donna Moors1 June 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A lovely morning walking through Parsonage Gardens earning about plants and nature. James was both interesting and informative. This was a great introduction for me. I will definitely attend again at different points in the year. Thank you JamesPosted on Google Mike30 May 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great day spent with James who is very knowledgeable learned loads . Makes it fun . All round Nice guy . Thanks James I'll be back later in the year for morePosted on Google molly smith27 May 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 10/10 I'm comming back! I really loved it, cool to find so many amazing things and learn so much. The course was also cheaper than other local ones I've found. James was friendly, polite and patient with all our questions. He was good with the child in our group also. He is really knowledgeable and taught us how to identify things safely and what to be cautious about. It was lovely to try his bilberry jam, nettle soup and dandelion root coffee also! Well worth going and I'm going to return in different seasons to learn more! Thank youPosted on Google Joe Hamilton26 May 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a brilliant day with James learning the basics of foraging. James is knowledgable, engaging and inspiring and we fully intend to continue on our foraging journey. We had a delicious lunch in his lovely garden setting in the sunshine. I couldn't recommend the courses highly enough.Posted on Google Rachel Norman23 May 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just spent a fantastic day on a foraging course with James at the Forager Within. He was so knowledgeable, and explained everything so clearly and in a really approachable way that makes me want to learn and forage much more! Delicious foraged lunch too. Would very much recommend!Posted on Google Danny Kielty23 May 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic half-day course and lunch with James. Really informative and fun, with things to taste along the way. Learned so much and we will definitely be using nettles and wild garlic more at home.
