September Brandon Hill Park (Bristol) Wild Food Foraging/ Foragers Walk.

A guided walk exploring Brandon Hill Park (Bristol) identifying and foraging edible wild plants, trees & fungi. Small group. Affordable price. Convenient duration. Easily reachable. Led by local wild food forager, organic vegetable grower and long-time Bristol-based guide Heath Bunting. This guided walk explores the edible, useful and ecological dimensions of the landscape through practical, hands-on knowledge. Alongside identifying and gathering wild foods, the session will touch on a wide range of related skills and themes: - Bushcraft and survival skills — core techniques for working with natural materials, fire, shelter principles and reading the land. - Medicinal plants — traditional and folk uses of common native and long-established species (nettles, elder, yarrow, plantain, willow and others), with clear guidance on safe identification and responsible use. - Wild soaps — saponin-rich plants such as soapwort and related species historically used for gentle cleaning. - Cultivation and sustainable picking techniques — how to harvest leaves, fruits, seeds and cuttings without depleting populations (the “leave plenty” principle), plus simple methods for taking hardwood cuttings and collecting/resowing seed of UK natives. - Indigenous human habitats and landscapes — the long cultural relationship between people and these places, including historical common-land uses and the idea of urban “sanctuary” sites. - Poisonous plants — recognition of key toxic species (hemlock water-dropwort, foxglove, deadly nightshade, yew and others). - Food processing and preservation — practical ways to clean, dry, freeze, ferment or otherwise store foraged greens, berries, mushrooms and herbs. - Climate change adaptation and rewilding — how urban green spaces function as biodiversity stepping-stones, the value of meadows, ponds and woodland edges, and simple actions that support resilience and natural processes. - Cuttings, seed collection and planting — legal and ethical guidelines under UK law (Theft Act 1968 “Four Fs”, Wildlife and Countryside Act restrictions on uprooting and protected species), plus best-practice methods for personal, non-commercial propagation of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. The walk emphasises sustainable, non-commercial foraging, correct identification, respect for byelaws and protected habitats, and the wider ecological and historical context of the site. Groups are kept small so everyone can ask questions and practise skills. Duration 1 hour 30 mins. Kids (15 or under) go free. Wear seasonal clothing (an all weather event). Moderate fitness required. Dogs welcome. Meet at Cabot Tower entrance. Contact 07935 986 421 if lost or delayed. Email [email protected] for group bookings.