Mushroom Foraging Walk

By November, the woodland is deep into autumn, with fallen leaves carpeting the forest floor and the first hints of winter beginning to appear. There are still plenty of treasures to discover among the moss, leaf litter, and fallen branches, and this is a wonderful time to look for some of our favourite seasonal fungi.

Porcini, hedgehog mushrooms, and winter chanterelles can all potentially be found at this time of year, depending on the weather and what the woodland decides to offer us. We never know which species will be fruiting on the day — perhaps we’ll discover one, perhaps two, or perhaps all three. That’s part of the magic of foraging: we go out with an idea of what we might find, but let nature lead the way.

Along the walk, you’ll learn how to spot and identify these distinctive mushrooms, including the key features that help us recognise porcini, hedgehog mushrooms, and winter chanterelles in their natural habitat. We’ll also cover the basics of safe foraging and how to harvest responsibly, while keeping an eye out for whatever other fungi the woodland may reveal.

November is a beautiful time to slow down and explore the changing forest, as autumn gives way to winter and the woodland floor becomes increasingly rich with fungi. You may even come away with enough for a simple, delicious meal.

All are welcome, no prior knowledge required.