Wild Food School courses offer 2-day, day and half-day sessions [see 2009 Schedule link opposite] where students can gain hands-on experience in identifying and using some 50 to 90+ [depending on season] of Britain's edible wild plants, and do so in an informal learning environment. There are also guided walks on the subject. A Distance Learning programme is also available which may be of more benefit to folks who don't have the time to visit. Further details opposite, right.

WFS courses were started by the author of a series of wild food cookbooks (and who has had an interest in wild foods for over 30 years), as a way of helping people discover this unfamiliar corner of the food world; a world which can be rather daunting until one becomes familiar with the plants and their physical characteristics and cooking qualities. MORE BACKGROUND

While some survival schools and herbal 'hobbyists' may offer you wild food courses - a number quietly gaining their expertise via Wild Food School - WFS is the only full-time, 12/12, operation of its kind in the UK and is not supported by supplementary activities. Beware kitchen-sink foragers - they can damage your health.

Ethnobotanist-Forager Marcus Harrison, who runs WFS courses, regularly gives talks on wild foods at the Eden Project, Natural History Museum, for the National Trust, Slow Food movement, Port Eliot LitFest and Arne Maynard Garden Design among others, and also works with food professionals (like the Head Chef of the Old Quay House Hotel in nearby Fowey), keen to develop creative new food concepts based around wild foods.

When not teaching there's the pure research side (both historical and technical) to undertake and which provides an immense breadth of expertise virtually unavailable elsewhere and routinely feeds back into the courses, keeping them fresh and up-to-date. It also provides time to develop ideas such as the WFS Historic E-Texts CD-ROMs (see 'books' link to right).

Hands-on courses are based around the ancient town of Lostwithiel and provide students with a totally immersive experience - from learning to the identify plants, to preparing and cooking them. Each session is almost 'individual'; tailored to what is seasonally available and to the preferences of those attending... survival food, ethno-botany, just starting with foraging, or how to use wild greens and edible weeds in more traditional styles.

Courses generally include a 'forage' or walk in the local countryside, so sturdy shoes are necessary. Please get in touch about accommodation, which can be arranged.

Prices: Day and Introductory courses - £30-85 pp. / W/E & 2-day courses - £160 pp

For more information, or to organise your place on one of the wild food courses, drop an e-mail while you're here, or telephone 01208 873788.

Beech masts as food