Late Summer Foraging with David Winnard

Sunday 31st August
10am-1pm

Breakfast pastry and unlimited tea and coffee included.

The flowers, fruits and fungi of Hawarden Estate.

This is the perfect time of the year to get to grips with the edible, medicinal and poisonous plants found on the estate.

If you are new to foraging, or know a little bit, then this walk will be perfect for you as we discuss the dos and don’ts of foraging (including what the law is) as well as delving into identifying some of the commoner plants and maybe some fungi that are present in the hedgerows and woods.

Expect to be finding fruits like blackberries and apples and nuts like hazelnuts and sweet chestnut, among the huge variety of other plants that have so much folklore behind them (like Mugwort - a favourite of your nature guide, David).

Not only will we learn how to identify these species but also discuss ways of how to preserve them, whether that is drying them or doing something more involved like turning our finds in to liqueurs.

We will forage in some of the wilder parts of the estate as well as look around some of the more formal bits of garden - not for the cultivated plants, but for some of the more interesting ‘weeds’ which often have many uses (just don’t tell the gardeners we are looking at their ‘weeds’!).

You will leave feeling confident to find and pick your own foraged plants from the wild.

£45 per person.

Timings

10am: Meet at The Terrace in The Walled Garden

10.15am: Introductions from David before heading off on the walk

12.30pm: Head back to The Walled Garden

1pm: Finish

About David:

David Winnard created Discover the Wild whose background in wildlife started when he was 5. David gained first class honours degree in wildlife photography before starting Discover the Wild, where his aim is to share his passion for identifying species and to help people forage safely and sustainable for wild foods.

He is one of the most respected foragers and naturalists in the North of England and Wales, having worked with and for organisations including the BBC, RSPB, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, City of Trees, Groundwork, Brockholes as well as many local councils, groups and organisations. He also works closely with a number of gin companies helping them use wild plants and fungi in their drinks.