Manchester Foraging Course

Description

Introduction to Foraging Course – Manchester

This is my flagship course that runs in the Manchester area, focusing on giving you the knowledge and confidence to start and fast-track your foraging journey.  Children under 12 come free.  You can also book a foraging course in Sheffield, Huddersfield or Northallerton.

What to expect

We will take a two and a half-hour walk (covering about two miles) around some woodland and grassland, stopping regularly to discuss (and in some cases eat!) the many edible goodies we find along the way, whether that be plants, fruits, nuts or mushrooms!  What we’ll find depends on the time of year.

Although the main focus will be foraging from the perspective of wild food, we will also touch upon foraging from the perspective of what can be foraged for non-food uses, such as medicinal purposes, or bushcraft purposes such as making your own natural string!

What you’ll learn

This course will cover the best ways to start and progress through the early stages of your foraging journey, in order to best maximise your learning and development. Where possible we’ll be tasting some of the things we find and the course will cover:

• Finding and discussing over 20 species common across the UK that have food, medicinal and/or bushcraft purposes, such as make-shift plasters or to make string.
• How to identify the plants, flowers, fruits and mushrooms we come across.
• Foraging laws and principles to ensure you forage safely and responsibly.
• Information about poisonous species to avoid, and how to forage in a way that will ensure you always stay safe and can forage in a way that is fun and enjoyable.

Making foraging fun and safe

Foraging is fun, fascinating and fruitful (literally!) and when done properly, you have nothing to fear.  It’s important to realise however that foraging can be dangerous IF you approach it with recklessness and without the respect nature deserves.  My course will aim to show you exactly how foraging is fun, fascinating and fruitful so that you can get your foraging journey off to the most enjoyable start, but also how to ensure you forage in a way that keeps you safe.

Login to nature

The course perhaps obviously has foraging at its heart, but will also aim to immerse you in nature in general.  The wild food growing out there on your doorstep, in towns, cities, and in the countryside, is all part of a wider ecosystem which in turn is part of nature as a whole, and I like to approach and introduce people to foraging with this in mind.  You will therefore go away from my foraging course not only learning about foraging, but also a little more about nature in general.

Remember, my ultimate purpose is to connect or re-connect you with nature, igniting a lifelong love of the countryside and the natural world, for the good of your mental and physical health.

Meeting Point and Parking

A few days before the course date you have booked is due to start, I will email with exact details of where we will meet in the Greater Manchester area, along with any other useful information such as where to park, what to expect etc.  If you book last minute such as the day before, then as long as you have booked before 6pm the day before then I will still email you the details.  If you book after 6pm the day before or even on the day itself, then please message or ring me on 07712 213470 for the details.

Group Bookings and Discounts

If you’d like to arrange a private group booking for friends, family or business drop me a message via the contact page or feel free to contact me on 07712 213 470 or email me at [email protected]. Discounts available depend on group size.

I can also run courses in locations across Yorkshire and other areas of the UK.

 

FAQ

What if I want to buy this course as a gift?

Simply book using the Gift Voucher option and I will then email you the voucher to give to the recipient.  The recipient can then use the voucher code to book onto the course date of their choice.

Can I bring my dog?

Well-behaved dogs on leads are more than welcome.

Is the route suitable for pushchairs?

There are some areas that will be tricky for a pushchair. A baby carrier would be a better option.

What do I need to bring?

A few days before the course, I will email you a short list of what you need to bring. After the course I will email you a list of everything we talked about on the day; to help you remember what you have learnt.

What if I can’t make it?

If after booking onto a course you change your mind or can’t make it on the day, please let us know as soon as possible and a full refund will be issued, or if you prefer you can simply re-arrange to book onto a different available date.

Course dates for the whole of 2024 are now live!