Enjoy a taste of terroir at these forage-led dining experiences across the South West
River Cottage, Axminster
A menu ripe with forage-led dining experiences awaits gourmets visiting Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s iconic cottage in Axminster.
Learn how to responsibly and sustainably harvest seasonal wild ingredients across woodlands and hedgerows on courses such as Hedgerow Foraging and Mushroom Foraging, which are taught at River Cottage’s 100-acre Devon farm. Other hands-on experiences, meanwhile, include the likes of Cook on the Wild Side, which combines foraging with a full day of cooking and tasting with River Cottage’s skilled chefs.
More fruitful possibilities for foodies include events that deliver multi-course menus designed around foraged produce, garden harvests and local organic ingredients. The bespoke banquets are served in an atmospheric 18th-century barn, where guests tussle forks over the vibrant plates while also sipping carefully paired drinks.
All of the goings-on – whether they’re courses inspiring a deeper understanding of wild food or a feast showcasing the freshness of hand-snipped ingredients – reflect River Cottage’s ethos of ‘Seasonal, Local, Organic and Wild’.
Hix & Wild, Charmouth
Looking to push the boat out on an unforgettable forest-to-table dining adventure? As part of the Hix & Wild experiences, celebrated chef Mark Hix opens the doors to his Dorset home for the ultimate bespoke foraging adventure, where wild food education meets intimate, elevated dining.
Available year-round for groups of eight, these unique experiences combine hands-on foraging with Mark’s legendary culinary expertise. Local foraging expert Nick Cadwell co-hosts these seasonal adventures, guiding guests to the best wild food spots – uncovering the best of spring’s greens and herbs to summer’s coastal plants and autumn’s prized wild mushrooms.
The day’s adventure starts with morning coffee at Mark’s Charmouth home, moves on to guided foraging expeditions with a light picnic lunch, before guests return to his Kitchen Table for a six-course evening feast. Here, their foraged finds are transformed into extraordinary dishes, paired with Mark’s own wines from Devon and Portugal.
Experiences are available for eight guests and cost £475 per person. Private events cost £3,800. The price includes all food, drink and a goody bag but excludes accommodation – recommendations are available on request.
The Farmers Arms, Woolsery
Imagine the dream dining pub: a creative chef crafts sublime dishes, its own farm supplies the homegrown, reared and foraged produce and an innovative drinks line-up utilises handcrafted cordials and own-infused spirits.
A visit to this rural restaurant (part of The Collective at Woolsery) turns this wishlist into reality. Dine in any of the three beautifully rustic dining rooms, or bag a table in the garden courtyard to feast alfresco on head chef Toby Neal’s reinterpretations of British classics.
Own-reared heritage-breed lamb and pork are notable highlights on a menu that’s elevated further by daily picked veg, fruit and herbs from the farm and gardens, as well as foraged finds from the surrounding coast and countryside.
Porthminster Beach Cafe, St Ives
Perched on the white sands of Porthminster Beach, this multi-award-winning restaurant delivers seafood dishes and seascapes whose beauty is rivalled only by the art hanging in nearby Tate St Ives.
From daybreak to nightfall, vibrant dishes stream from the busy kitchen and land on tables in the pared-back dining room, where they’re swiftly devoured. The heated outdoor terrace is also open all year for those wishing to dine with the salty breeze brushing their skin.
The restaurant enjoys great prestige thanks to head chef Ben Prior and chef-owner Mick Smith’s sterling reputation for Asian-and-Mediterranean-inspired cooking. The chefs craft dishes based on the bounty of produce at their fingertips – from the freshest seafood and foraged coastal ingredients to garden-grown herbs and veggies.
Harbour Loft at St Michael’s Mount, Marazion
Just off the coast of Marazion on a majestic tidal island, St Michael’s Mount is sought out by holidaymakers looking for an authentic and unusual Cornish experience.
Day-trippers cross the ancient causeway (or hop aboard the boat at high tide) to explore the island’s historic castle and glorious gardens. However, the most discerning visitors are drawn straight to Harbour Loft cafe to delight in creative afternoon teas. This culinary treat is discussed just as much as the island tales of giants and angels.
Head chef Greg Milne forages the isle for ingredients to create the dynamic afternoon tea menus, which are switched up with the seasons and which reflect the freshest pickings as well as the chef’s latest experiments in the kitchen. In addition to must-have afternoon tea elements (scones and finger sandwiches), guests can feast on the likes of pickled mackerel and dulse crackers; asparagus, pea and wild goddess tartlets; and pine and rose mousse cake.
Enjoyed reading our pick of unique foraging experiences? Discover more curated round-ups.
We choose the companies included in our features based on editorial integrity. Occasionally, some inclusions will be handpicked from clients with whom we have a commercial relationship.
