Awakening Earth: Foraging Early Shoots and Finding Winter Fungi @ Cowdray

As the South Downs awaken, we will explore early greens like nettles, cleavers, and chickweed, alongside oyster mushrooms and the first flow of birch sap. We’ll celebrate the quiet energy of late winter turning to spring with a warming wild tea and a foraged tasting experience.

Walks will be circular, beginning and ending at Cowdray Farm Shop and will last approximately 2.5 hours.

Please wear footwear that is suitable for undulating terrain.

Meet George, Cowdray’s Forager:

George has been foraging and using wild foods for some years, supplying the freshest foraged wild edibles to some of the country’s top restaurants, chefs and food establishments.

After years of being immersed in the ‘wild’ himself, George now focuses on encouraging others to appreciate the significance of our native countryside, and how we can enjoy and protect it for future generations.

Over his years of foraging George has accrued an in-depth knowledge of our countryside, its diverse habitats and the variety of plants and fungi each contains. He has covered the length and breadth of the country from the Scottish Highlands to the moors and coasts of Cornwall, in search of new native edibles as well as sustainable sources to pick them. Working closely with chefs consulting on what, when and how to use each ingredient to best showcase them has led George to be featured on programmes like BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, following the journey from the forests and fields to fork. George now hopes to inspire you on your own adventure of discovery.