A Beginner’s Guide to Countryside Foraging in the UK

How to Forage in the UK: A Seasonal Guide for Beginners

Our beautiful British countryside has so much to offer all year round, and you might have seen that we’ve been sharing our love for it through our monthly series on what’s happening across the UK.

From music festivals to country shows, there’s always something to do - but what’s better than something that’s family-friendly, free, and gets you outdoors enjoying the change in seasons?

Well, foraging ticks all those boxes! It's a perfect excuse to stretch your legs, explore the countryside, and teach your kids a bit about where their food really comes from along the way. At the moment, I love finding blackberries on the hedgerows every morning when I take the dog for a walk. They are a great post-breakfast snack for me, and we've also been whipping up some crumbles to have for puddings - something to look forward to throughout the day! 

So, if you’ve been thinking about giving foraging a go, this guide is here to help you get started.

 

What is Foraging?

Put simply, foraging is the practice of gathering wild food directly from nature—whether that’s fruits, nuts, herbs, or even edible flowers. It’s something humans have done for thousands of years, long before supermarkets existed.

Foraging gives us a deeper understanding of the natural cycles that produce our food. It teaches us to appreciate how food grows, when it’s ready to be harvested, and gives us valuable insights into why respecting these rhythms is so important.

We’ve talked about the importance of seasonal food in some of our previous blog posts, and foraging is a hands-on way to experience this. By focusing on what's in season, foraging helps us connect with the land in a way that's often lost in modern life. It reminds us that not everything is available year-round and that part of nature's beauty is in its timing.

 

What Can You Forage in the UK?

Blackberry picking has always been popular, particularly with children - and people often don't even realise what they're doing is actually a foraging activity. But there’s a lot more to discover in the British countryside if you know what to look for.

As the seasons change, so does what you can forage. Here’s a list of some of the best things you can find throughout the year:

Spring Foraging (March to May)

1. Wild Garlic
   Wild garlic is easy to spot thanks to its distinctive smell, and it’s usually found in shady woodlands. It’s perfect for adding a fresh, garlicky flavour to pestos, soups, or stir-fries. Look for it from March to early May, before it starts to flower.

2. Nettles
   Although you might only associate nettles with their sting, these wild plants make a delicious and nutritious tea or soup once cooked, and they’re packed with vitamins and minerals. Early spring is the best time to pick nettles when their leaves are tender. 

3. Dandelions
   Often overlooked, dandelion leaves and flowers are edible and abundant in spring. The young leaves are great in salads, while the flowers can be used to make dandelion wine.

You can also find cow parsley, garlic mustard, hairy bittercress, lime leaves, sorrel, and gorse (the yellow flowers are highly sought after due to their coconut and almond flavour).

Summer Foraging (June to August)

1. Elderflowers
   Elderflowers are best picked on sunny days when their fragrance is strongest. They can be turned into elderflower cordial or jelly - great for summer picnics! 

2. Wild Strawberries
   Though smaller than the ones you might see in the supermarkets, wild strawberries pack a punch in terms of flavour. They often grow in sunny spots like the edges of fields or woodlands, and are a real treat if you can find them.

3. Crab Apples
   These are a tart, miniature version of the more familiar apples, and they can be found in hedgerows and woodland edges in late summer. While too sour to eat raw, they’re perfect for making jams, jellies, and even homemade cider if you're feeling adventurous.

You can also find hawthorn berries, rowan berries, honeysuckle, rose petals, and sweet violet. Plus, the beginning of blackberry season is around August. 

Autumn Foraging (September to November)

1. Blackberries
   Late summer and early autumn are peak blackberry season. These delicious fruits grow along hedgerows and make for excellent crumbles and jams. 

2. Chestnuts
   When autumn arrives, chestnuts fall from the trees, ready for roasting or adding to stuffings. If the Christmas song has always made you curious, this is your chance to give roasted chestnuts a try!

3. Sloes & Elderberries
   Sloes, small dark fruits from the blackthorn bush, are perfect for making sloe gin. Elderberries, often found growing nearby, can be used for syrups and jams that are great for boosting the immune system during winter.

4. Rosehips
   These vitamin C-rich fruits have an appley flavour and are great for making jams, syrups, or teas.

You can also find beech nuts, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as some berries still from the summer months.

Winter Foraging (December to February)

1. Nuts
   Winter is a great time to forage for a wide range of nuts like hazelnuts or beech nuts. Windy days are perfect for finding them scattered on the ground.

2. Bullace
   A wild variety of plum, bullace can still be foraged in winter. These small, tart fruits are ideal for making jams or wines, and they ripen just in time for the colder months.

You can also often find some blackberries and chestnuts still dotted around, plus pine nuts, whitebeam berries, and wild mushrooms - particularly heading into January and February.

 

Where Can You Forage in the UK?

The New Forest in Hampshire, the Peak District in Derbyshire, the Scottish Highlands, and the Pembrokeshire Coast are well-known for being some of the best places in the UK to forage, but they’re not the only ones!

There are plenty of locations where you can enjoy responsible foraging walks. Here are some of the top spots:

• Woodlands and Forests – Great for wild garlic, wild mushrooms, and chestnuts. Public woodlands like those managed by the Forestry Commission are ideal for foraging.
• Hedgerows – Hedgerows are a goldmine for blackberries, sloes, elderberries, and rosehips. You’ll often find them along public footpaths, so stick to these routes or areas where you have permission.
• Coastal Areas – Find sea buckthorn berries, samphire, and edible seaweeds along the shores. Coastal foraging can be rewarding but is best done with an experienced guide, as tides and local regulations need to be considered.
• Public Parks and Nature Reserves – Always check the local rules, as some public parks allow foraging for non-protected species, like blackberries or nettles, while many nature reserves may prohibit it to protect the ecosystem.
• Public Rights of Way – You’re allowed to forage along public footpaths and common land for personal consumption, as long as you don’t uproot any plants, which is illegal without the landowner’s permission.

And don’t forget to check your own garden too. Sometimes you might discover edible plants growing right outside your door.

What Equipment Do You Need for Foraging?

While foraging is a simple, low-cost activity, there are a few essential bits and pieces you’ll want to take with you. 

These are a few of our recommendations:

• Foraging Basket: To easily carry all your finds. Some kitchen paper might be useful too for wrapping up your wild berries. If you don’t have a basket, a cloth bag will do the trick.
• Gloves: These will help protect your hands when picking prickly plants like blackberries or dealing with stinging nettles. 
• Small Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool: Handy for cutting herbs or fruit that’s hard to pull off without damaging the plant.
• Foraging Guide Book or App: It’s always good to have a reliable way to identify plants, especially if you’re new to foraging. Wild Food UK Foraging Pocket Guide or the PlantNet app are great starting places. 
• Sturdy Footwear: Wellies or walking boots are a good idea, as you'll likely be exploring muddy paths or woodland areas.
• Water Bottle: Make sure you keep hydrated - especially if you're going for a long walk or it's a particularly warm day.

So, you don’t need any special equipment - just a bit of knowledge, a good pair of boots, and a willingness to see what’s out there!

 

Safety Tips for Food Foraging

Before you head out with your basket in hand, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your foraging journey goes smoothly.

Here are a few tips to keep you safe and ensure our countryside stays happy and healthy too:

1. Know What You’re Picking: One of the golden ground rules of foraging is to make sure you correctly identify what you’re collecting. Some plants and berries can look similar but certain varieties might be harmful if eaten. Mushrooms are notorious for this! The rule of thumb is simple: if you’re not 100% sure, leave it alone.
2. Sustainable Foraging: Only take what you need and leave plenty behind for wildlife and other foragers. Picking a few blackberries here and there is fine, but stripping an entire hedgerow clean isn’t the way to go. The countryside thrives when we all take only our share.
3. Respect the Land: Public footpaths, forests, coastal paths, and woodlands are great places to explore, but always avoid private land unless you have permission. Keep to designated paths and be respectful of nature by not damaging plants or disturbing wildlife.
4. Safety First: Foraging is fun, but it’s still important to stay safe, especially with little ones in tow. Wear sturdy shoes, and keep an eye out for nettles and brambles—kids love exploring but might not love a nettle sting!

If you're interested in learning more about how to make the most of foraging (and how to avoid those poisonous plants), we'd suggest checking out foraging courses, like those run by Wild Food UK. 

 

Simple Dish Ideas Using Foraged Foods

It’s always fun to get out there and pick your own food, but the real treat is eating it afterwards.

So, we’ve pulled together a few ideas for what to do with your foraged finds. Of course, these are just a starting point - there are lots of delicious recipes you can try depending on what you fancy.

• Blackberry Crumble: A classic, easy-to-make pudding that's a firm favourite with kids and adults alike. Wild raspberries or strawberries are a good substitute. 
• Roasted Chestnuts: Score the shells and roast them in the oven until they pop open. These are great for a snack or you can use them in stuffings for your roast dinner.
• Sloe Gin: Infuse sloes with gin and sugar, let it steep for a few months, and you’ll have a rich, fruity gin—perfect for winter sipping. Also makes for a great homemade gift!
• Elderberry Syrup: Boil elderberries into a syrup that’s great for adding to drinks or drizzling over pancakes.
• Wild Garlic Pesto: If you’ve gathered some wild garlic, make yourself a pesto by blending with olive oil, nuts, parmesan, and lemon juice. Add some pasta and you've got a quick, simple dinner idea. 
• Nettle Soup: Boil young nettles to remove the sting, then blend them into a soup with onions, potatoes, and a bit of cream. It’s nutritious, delicious, and surprisingly easy!
• Rosehip Jam: This can be served alongside roast pork for the type of sweetness you might usually get from apple sauce. 

We’re big advocates for buying local from our farmers, and foraging is a great way to add to that. By combining what you find in the wild with fresh produce from local farm shops, you’re living off the land in the best way. Not only does it have health benefits, but it’s also a great way to save some cash.

Eating seasonally and locally is good for you, your wallet, and the environment - what’s not to love?

 

Summary

Picking blackberries, gathering chestnuts, or spotting wild garlic can turn a simple walk into a foraging adventure, sparking curiosity about the land and the changing seasons. It’s a great way to slow down, spend time together, and see the countryside from a fresh perspective. So, we hope we've inspired you to give it a go! 

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About the Author

Matthew Holland is passionate about sharing tips on how to enjoy the British countryside, whether it’s through family-friendly activities or connecting with nature. Living and working in the beautiful Cheshire countryside, Matthew is a proud advocate for our British farmers and the importance of eating local, seasonal food. He combines his love for rural life with practical advice, helping others make the most of the seasons and embrace the beauty of country living.