Fungi can often have a sinister reputation, associated with inducing hallucinations, decay and death. There are however many beneficial uses for fungi including food, medicine, fire lighting and breaking down the debris of the forest. Notoriously difficult to identify, even more so than plants, great care must be taken when foraging. Edible fungi can often have very similar poisonous cousins.
Unlike plants, which are much easier to identify, to become a successful fungi forager, it requires higher attention to detail. Guided by the Woodlore team, this 2-day course teaches you to recognise a variety of species in their natural habitat.
Fungi have been used by humans for thousands of years for nutrition and medicines. Many species can also support immune function and health aspects, whilst others are used for bushcraft. You will be introduced to a wider perspective so you can be less fearful and more knowledgeable.
Led by experts, you will explore the local woodland and cover grounds shaped by the seasons. The varied environment of forest floors and pastures offer optimum conditions for finding a range of species. The uncertainty of what you’ll find makes it more interesting.
You’ll gather round at the end of the day to examine your findings in deeper detail. You’ll learn key identification markers to separate the edible and harmful, as well as practice ethical foraging.
All over the world, thousands of species are edible and useful. For those willing to learn, fungi can be one of the most incredible aspects of bushcraft.
Become a true fungi forager with us today.
This course will start at 16:00 on day 1 and will finish at 16:00 on day 3.
Join us along with expert mycologist Neville Kilkenny on a journey of discovery. Walking through the woods of the oldest deer park in the country, learning to identify and responsibly forage for fungi. Though we cannot guarantee what we shall find, being able to explore such a large and diverse estate provides us with many different woodland environments, giving us the best possible chance to find a wide variety.
This course will introduce you to the fungi found in our woodlands. We shall cover as much ground as possible spending the day travelling the diverse woodlands of the estate, working as a group under Neville’s direction and keen eye, to find and learn about what specimens are available at this time of year. We shall also discover the other wild edibles along the way. In the evening we shall come together around the fire to look in more detail at key identification points, discuss the uses of the fungi found and should we find some of the very tasty edible varieties we will prepare some to eat.
Subjects covered during this course include:
This course is aimed at anyone from the complete beginner to those with an interest in fungi. A copy of An initial Guide to the Identification of Mushrooms & Toadstools - Fourth Edition by Paul Nichol will be yours to take away to help you continue your journey into this intriguing world.
This course will start at 16:00 on day 1 and will finish at 16:00 on day 3.Catering
Please be aware that this is a 2-day, self-catered course, so ensure you bring enough food for the duration and a stove to cook it on. You should bring meals that are easy and quick to cook as well as plenty of snacks and a lunch for when we are on the trail. Many clients have found in the past, bringing a cool box is useful to keep all of your food inside.We provide a kettle, tea, coffee, squash and biscuits in a brew box at the main camp fire of the course, under a large parachute. We also have fresh drinking water and a fruit bowl available.
Course Site
The Autumn Fungi Forager course will take place at an expedition style camp in East Sussex, close to Tunbridge Wells. The camp is situated in beautiful private woodland with lots of wildlife including deer, owls, badgers, fox and butterflies. We do not have shower/toilet blocks at our sites, therefore all aspects of the course will have a fantastic wilderness feel, using screened camp shower and a screened latrine in the woods.We also have a car park at the course site where your car will be kept during the course (if you bring one).
Other Details
Joining instructions will be sent to participants of the course 9 weeks before it is due to start giving details of where to meet, at what time, and what to bring with you. 1 of 4
Really enjoyed this. Nev, the fungi expert was extremely knowledgeable and very good at communicating his knowledge. We enjoyed camping in the woods, Eridge estate is beautiful. Jenny had extra help when her knee played up and we were all looked after very well.
Rated: 5/5
2 of 4
I went on this course with no doubt about the quality of the services that the Woodlore team provide as a returning student, however I was not prepared for the fascinating rabbit hole I was about to embark on! Nev the course leader was an inspiration with a great presence within the group as well as the obvious expertise needed in the field. This course is not just a stroll in the woods it’s the first steps to fully undressing the vast subject that is Fungi. The Mushroom soup supplied for lunch was absolutely delicious (thanks Dee!). My only advice is that due to the start time and the date the course is held it would be a good idea to be proficient in putting up your camp as there’s not too much daylight left when you arrive in camp, but as always the instructors are on hand if you have any problems so not to over worry on this point.
Thanks Guys.
Rated: 5/5
3 of 4
Firstly thank you Woodlore and the office team for excellent customer service. The booking in and pre-course information was spot on as usual. Thanks to Callum and Dee for the support and making everything effortless although I’d suggest reviewing your pace counting Cal as I think it was slightly further than 750m to that mushroom spot. 😂 All is forgiven as the highlight of the week other than the other course members was Neville Kilkenny. Nev was excellent, he took every question in his stride, even the silly ones. He had a palpable love and enthusiasm for mycology which came across and was genuinely passionate and extremely patient with the bunch of novices. The weather however could have been better as I think Ray must have been doing his rain dance who knows where. I cannot recommend this course enough to anyone with an interest in mushrooms. I thought I knew a little about this subject but after this weekend I know I had barley scratched the surface. I look forward to many seasons ahead building on the foundations this course has given to me. Thanks Nev, and thank you Woodlore. 👍🏻
Rated: 5/5
4 of 4
I’d always viewed fungi with an equal sense of fascination and fear. A course like this was what I’d been looking for for years. A previous experience of Woodlore courses and having met Neville before meant I was already confident that this was the right course to start my journey.
Nev’s teaching style was relaxed and funny but with an obvious volume of knowledge behind it. I went from information overload to calm understanding in very short measure. I’ve come away with not only a desire to learn more but also a simple set of skills to help with identifying this vast body of organisms. You also gain a greater understanding of the law and ethics of collecting fungi, along with a comprehensive list of publications for a future library.
Please Woodlore, make this a regular part of your course list. It’s an awesome course that I am recommending to everyone I know.
Rated: 5/5
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