Step into the richness of the season and explore the abundance of wild plants on our immersive Autumn Foraging Course in South London. As the landscape shifts in colour and energy, autumn offers a remarkable range of edible and medicinal plants. This foraging course will teach you how to recognise, harvest and use them confidently and deliciously.
Led by experienced instructors from Pippin & Gile, the day combines plant identification, sustainable harvesting guidance and practical outdoor cookery in our beautiful woodland setting.
Timings: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Age: 18+
Location: South London Woods (CR3)
Private bookings are also available at our South Wales woodland in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.
Group size: Maximum 16
Gift Vouchers: All courses are available as 24-month gift vouchers which can be purchased here.
What to Expect on Our Autumn Foraging Course
Seasonal Plant Identification
Autumn brings hedgerows heavy with fruit, seeds ready for gathering and often a resurgence of young greens before the roots store energy for winter. During a relaxed, guided looped walk through a variety of habitats; woodland, field margins, hedgerows and clearings. You’ll learn how to:
Identify a wide range of edible and medicinal autumn plants
Distinguish between useful and harmful species
Understand plant families and key identification markers
Recognise how plants change as the seasons shift
We do not cover mushroom identification on this course, the focus is entirely on wild plants.
Along the way, we share traditional folklore, historical uses and personal insights into how these plants have supported communities for generations.
Sustainable Harvesting & Responsible Foraging
Responsible foraging is central to everything we teach. You’ll learn:
How to harvest ethically and legally
How much to take and when to leave plants
Best practice for gathering fruits, seeds and leaves
Simple processing techniques for use at home
Tasty recipes ideas to take away
There will be opportunities to taste the plants before processing as well, if desired.
From Field Edges to Campfire Kitchen
After the foraging walk, we head over to base camp where the day shifts from identification and gathering to preparation and eating.
Working together, you’ll transform the gathered ingredients into a shared two course seven dish autumn feast cooked over the fire. You’ll learn practical outdoor cookery techniques and discover how to make your wild ingredients sing.
There is an optional opportunity to prepare and cook wild game (either small mammal or game bird) under guidance. All dietary requirements can be catered for, please advise us when booking.
We sit down together mid-afternoon to enjoy the meal a celebration to mark a day of learning, connection and seasonal awareness.
Who Is This Course For?
This Autumn Foraging Course is suitable for complete beginners as well as those looking to deepen existing knowledge. No specialist equipment or prior experience is required.
The walk is steady and unhurried, and at the start of the day involves more standing than moving. Continuing to the woods the walk takes in mildly uneven ground and public footpaths, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
We suggest bringing a light lunch or snacks, as the main meal will be enjoyed at approximately 3pm.
Discover Foraging Across the Seasons
We offer a range of seasonal foraging experiences throughout the year, allowing you to build knowledge as the landscape evolves.
Courses include:
Peta R. –
I had a fantastic day on the foraging course. Lizzy was a lovely host. It was so interesting finding out about all the wild plants, their healing properties and which ones were edible. I loved the little camp area and cooking all the food we had foraged. Great to spend time away from all the pressures of life and get back to nature. Will definitely go back next year to attend the Spring foraging course.
Rachel T. –
We had a beautiful day connecting with the natural world on our doorstep. If you are looking to open your eyes to the bounty of our verges and hedgerows, then the foraging workshop is for you.
Neil T –
We had a delightful and very informative day.
Sarah C. –
Early September – Foraging course.
We had a brilliant day learning about how to find, prepare, and cook all kinds of interesting things you can forage from your own garden or woodland. Lizzy is really knowledgeable and keen to share. Her enthusiasm is infectious.
Yuming C. –
finally I have booked in what I was always wanted to do. Lizzy is very generous in sharing details she acknowledged, she speaks what she knows and be honest with what doesn’t, this indicate a responsible attitude to public.
When you start learning to identify plants, they are no longer strangers. Walking along the road feels like you can always encounter familiar friends. Squatting down to greet them and learning to distinguish three-cornered leek from wild garlic and Hesperis brings me much joy. A day in London no longer feels gloomy due to cloudy and rainy weather. I started noticing whether “the oak before the ash.” As a foreigner, these British plants and idioms are quite interesting. Walking in nature is a completely different experience than before, and staying in the UK no longer feels the same. It’s rewarding to learn from experienced and responsible sharers like Lizzy. Although I haven’t attended other foraging courses, I know one is enough, and there’s no need to be distracted by looking elsewhere. If you are interested in this course, I highly recommend signing up.