Fungi Foray - a Portsdown walk

Richard Jones is leading a fungi foray from Fort Widley East Gate on Tuesday 27 October, a guided walk through the autumn woods of the Portsdowns. Jones is a Countryside Officer who knows the subtleties of the local ecosystem, and he'll be showing us the mushrooms that pop up this time of year.

There's a bit of science to it, too. The mushrooms we see are the fruiting bodies of fungal mycelium, part of the 'wood wide web'—that underground network of roots, fungi and microbes in biochemical communication. It's the hidden side of the woods that usually stays out of sight, and the walk is a chance to see it in the open.

From the start at Fort Widley East Gate, the route heads north into the woods, so you'll be spending the morning under the canopy. It's not a paved stroll, so walking gear is advised. The terrain isn't suitable for pushchairs, which is worth keeping in mind if you're planning to bring the little ones along. As for getting there, parking is available near The Churchillian or at the viewpoint.

It's a free event, so there's no charge to join in. If you've spent any time on the Portsdowns, you know how different the woods feel in late October—this is a good way to see what's actually going on beneath your feet.