Can there really be anything better than eating the food you’ve foraged for yourself in the wild? In the rural village of Clearwell, in the ancient Forest of Dean, lies Tudor Farmhouse. From there, you can head out on foot with an expert guide to search out edible berries, herbs and mushrooms on a foraging expedition. You’ll then return to a gourmet three-course lunch made with some of the foraged ingredients.
The foraging trips at Tudor Farmhouse run from spring through to autumn. Depending on the time of year, you will find yourself combing the hedgerows, grassland and woodland to see what you can unearth. During spring and heading into summer, look out for wild garlic, sorrel, pennywort, edible flowers, wild strawberries and early mushrooms. The autumn trips will have a stronger focus on fungi, but you will find plenty of other hidden gems too.
Depending on which date you choose, you will be accompanied by one of three different expert guides, who each provide different knowledge and experience. While these are set up as group trips, it is also possible to book private foraging outings too.
Ed Drewitt is a naturalist and broadcaster who is passionate about connecting people with nature. He will take you on a walk, of approximately 2.5 miles, through the Tudor Farmhouse grounds and Lambsquay Wood. While keeping an eye out for wild food to forage in the fields and hedgerows, he will also take great delight in pointing out the local wildlife.
During a foraging experience with Liz Knight (from Forage Fine Foods), Liz will explain how you can turn the weeds you find in your own garden into tasty and nutritious foods. After you’ve collected your treasures from the Tudor Farmhouse grounds, head to the Garden Room where Liz will show you how to turn what you’ve found into pastes, powders and liqueurs.
Fungi experts, Eric and Marlow from Wild Food UK, run the autumn foraging trips. While these trips are predominantly focused on mushroom hunting, you will also be looking out for other edible weeds and flowers too.
After you’ve sourced all sorts of exciting things on your foraging adventure, return to Tudor Farmhouse where head chef, Joe Williams, will use the wild ingredients to prepare a gourmet three-course lunch to enjoy with your fellow foragers.
The foraging trips run at different times throughout the year. Check out the dates and times here.
Feeling inspired? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Gloucestershire and Wales.
High Street, Clearwell Gloucestershire, GL16 8JS
Images copyright Tudor Farmhouse and Sara Chardin
