Foraging Course

James Hill is running a foraging course at Fox Hagg Nature Reserve on Saturday 24 October, from 10am to 4pm. It's part of his work with The Forager Within, the business he set up in 2022 with a mission to connect people to nature and improve their physical and mental health.

The day is built around a guided walk of about a mile and a half to two miles, during which Hill points out 15 to 25 edible species. It's not just about what you can eat, though: he covers foraging laws and non-food uses, like medicinal plants and natural fibres, and weaves in forest bathing along the way. Each full day ends with a lunch inspired by foraged ingredients.

Hill is a qualified instructor who grew up on a North Yorkshire farm, and his interest in foraging started on nature walks with his parents. He's spoken about hitting a low point in 2015, which re-ignited that passion; by the spring of 2016, foraging had become an obsession. He now runs public courses from March to November across South Yorkshire, the Peak District, Huddersfield, Northallerton and Manchester, with each season offering its own forage. He also does private group experiences, including a wild food and wine tasting that draws on his previous work in the wine industry.

There are a few ways to do the day: a half-day is £40, a half-day with lunch is £55, and the full day is £85, with children under 12 going free. The course runs at Fox Hagg Nature Reserve, Redmires Way, Sheffield S10 4NB, from 10am to 4pm.