Wild Food School courses offer 2-day, day and half-day sessions [see 2012 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 for external clients. 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 ground-breaking wild food cookbooks that re-wrote the rules about using wild foods as 'food', and which were written 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 and pretend foraging experts who have learned only from books - they can damage your health.

Ethnobotanist-Forager Marcus Harrison, who runs WFS courses, has had an interest in wild foods for over 35 years. He has an absolutely instinctive understanding of the English countryside, having been brought up on a farm till his late teens - the sort of life experience that you don't get from college degrees or reading books - and retained an interest in a family farm until relatively recently. He regularly gives talks on wild foods at the Eden Project, plus talks at the 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 keen to develop creative new food concepts based around wild foods. Most recently Marcus was asked to contribute work towards a publication by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

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) and Wild Food Wisdom eBook series.

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 inevitably include a 'forage' or walk in the local countryside, so sturdy shoes are necessary.

Prices: Day and Introductory courses - £30-85 pp. / W/E & 2-day courses - £140 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.

Recipes that Time Forgot

'Thank you for a truly excellent day; I have taken away a number of new things to try, and try them out I shall ! Dandelion coffee and sorrel dessert are definitely on the menu. I will be in touch for a follow up next year. Thank you again. I will recommend you far and wide. It was the perfect Birthday present.' JF

"You recently hosted my mum and dad on one of your day courses and I would like to provide you with some feedback from them. They had an absolutely great day with you and learn't a lot about wild food, but also about the history of the food. They were very grateful for the experience and have not stopped talking about it when they call me here in Oz!" AF, OZ.

"Thank you for a very informative weekend, great food!" G.

"Your books have been a treasured source of inspiration for me!" JS, Cambs.

"Just a short note to say thanks very much for the excellent course material for the home study course. It really is first class and has answered all my questions regarding 'Wild Food' ". JP, Glos.

"Awesome CD! I am really impressed. I look forward to ordering the next one.". RL, Surrey.

"I already have a reasonable knowledge of plants for food and medicinal uses, but found the recipes incredibly useful! I shall be trying some over the next few weeks." KW, Suffolk.

Make your Wild Food School visit part of a longer stay in Cornwall, Britain's most popular holiday destination. Picturesque Lostwithiel, with its old castle, straddles the magical River Fowey [try your hand at fishing its waters], and is a local centre for the antiques trade. Lostwithiel is on the London to Penzance railway line, and National Express coaches have a service passing through the town. Trains run from nearby St. Austell to Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and Wales, and even Dundee. Also nearby there is the world-famous Eden Project, while Cornwall's coastlines offer lots of possibilities for exhilarating walks and windsurfing, and there are many famous formal gardens such as nearby Lanhydrock, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. WFS courses also make an unusual gift idea for that person who already has everything.

For bookings or more details please e-mail or call 01208 873788.