Unearth the wild harvest of autumn on a guided foraging walk through woodlands, meadows and parkland at Chirk Castle. This half-day session is ideal for anyone curious about edible plants and fungi, offering practical skills in identifying wild foods and using them responsibly. Along the way, you'll enjoy a wild tea taster and pick up tips on cooking, safety and sustainable gathering.
You’ll begin with a short introduction to the day before heading off on foot around the ancient estate. The walk takes in mixed woodland, hedgerows, parkland and meadows – all offering different edible opportunities depending on the season. You'll learn how to identify a wide range of wild foods such as berries, nuts, fruits, and fungi, as well as hear about traditional uses and folklore associated with some of the plants.
As the walk progresses, the tutor will introduce safety guidelines and highlight lookalikes you’ll want to avoid. You’ll explore the rules and responsibilities that come with foraging, including what the law says, and how to take a sustainable approach that respects both the land and its wildlife. The session rounds off with a wild tea tasting, using freshly gathered ingredients, and time to ask questions. Participants are welcome to bring their own foraging basket or bag to collect small quantities of edibles for personal use.
The session takes place on the Chirk Castle estate, a National Trust site near Wrexham. The estate is home to centuries-old woodland, wide open parkland, and a mix of habitats that make it an ideal location for autumn foraging. You’ll be walking through accessible countryside, but paths may be uneven or muddy in places depending on weather. Parking is available nearby, and specific meeting instructions will be sent ahead of the event.
No prior foraging experience is required, and the course is suitable for beginners as well as those with some outdoor knowledge. A reasonable level of fitness is helpful, as the session includes a few hours of walking and standing outdoors.
Participants must be aged 18 or over. You’ll need appropriate clothing for the weather, sturdy shoes or boots, and your own reusable cup or flask if you’d like to try the wild tea.
This provider focuses on connecting people with the natural world through hands-on outdoor experiences. With years of experience in conservation and bushcraft education, they offer carefully designed sessions that build confidence and deepen nature knowledge. Courses are rooted in seasonal change and ecological understanding, giving people a practical way to engage with their local landscape.
The team includes qualified bushcraft instructors with strong backgrounds in land management and outdoor teaching. Their approach is practical, safe, and inclusive – encouraging participants to respect the land while making full use of its resources.
During autumn, a wide variety of seasonal edibles come into their own. On this walk, you’re likely to encounter berries like hawthorn, elder, rosehip, and sloes, along with nuts such as hazelnuts and beech mast. Depending on the weather, you may also find mushrooms, including puffballs or ink caps, and other fungi.
In addition to these, we often come across aromatic leaves, seeds and roots that can be used in herbal teas or added to meals. Your guide will talk you through how to identify and use them confidently. Some ingredients are great raw, while others need cooking or processing – this will be clearly explained.
Yes, a wild tea taster is included as part of the session, which gives everyone a chance to try an infusion made from foraged ingredients. This is often a combination of seasonal leaves, flowers or berries that have been sustainably gathered during previous sessions.
It’s a relaxed moment during the walk where the group can pause, ask questions and warm up if needed. Please note that due to safety and hygiene, we don’t prepare full meals with freshly foraged items during the session, but we do discuss how to use them at home.
No specialist equipment is needed to take part. You’ll just need to bring a small basket, bag or tub if you’d like to collect some samples to take home. We recommend also bringing a notebook if you want to keep track of the species you’ve identified.
Good footwear is essential, as the walk covers woodland, meadow and uneven terrain. A waterproof jacket and refillable water bottle are also useful. If you wear gloves for handling plants, make sure they allow for grip and movement.
When done correctly, foraging is very safe and rewarding. The key is knowing what you’re picking. This session will help you gain the confidence to identify edible species correctly and avoid anything harmful or lookalike plants.
We never encourage participants to taste anything unless it has been clearly identified by the instructor. The group is guided through everything slowly and carefully, with safety being prioritised at every stage.
The walk will still go ahead in wet weather, so we advise dressing appropriately for the conditions. Some of the best fungi and other wild foods actually thrive during damp autumn days, so rainy walks can be just as productive.
We’ll take extra care on slippery paths and reduce the distance slightly if needed. Only in extreme weather (such as high winds or storm warnings) would the session be rescheduled or cancelled, and in that case, you’ll be contacted beforehand.
Absolutely – photography is encouraged. Taking pictures of plants, fungi and the landscape can help you learn and remember details about what you see. Many people find that keeping a visual record supports their foraging practice later.
However, we do ask that phones are kept on silent and used respectfully during the session, especially during group discussions or wild tea tasting. Please avoid disturbing wildlife or damaging plants just to get a photo.
Yes, this walk is ideal for beginners. It’s designed to be a relaxed, informative introduction to the edible plants and fungi of the autumn landscape. You won’t need any prior knowledge to take part.
The guide explains everything in simple terms and welcomes questions. If you’re already familiar with a few plants, you’ll still learn more about safe identification, sustainable foraging, and how to incorporate wild ingredients into your life.
About the centre
Wrexham
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by Woodland Classroom, a partner of adventuro.
