Love Your Countryside: Sustainable Foraging at Westhill Farm

Join CPRE Oxfordshire on Friday 18 September for a half-day foraging course as part of CPRE’s Love Your Countryside month — a celebration of the places, landscapes and communities that make our countryside so special.

Led by expert forager, Justine Gens, this hands-on session will introduce you to the fascinating world of sustainable foraging and help you see the natural landscape around you in a whole new way.

Explore the habitats surrounding Westhill Farm, nestled on the lower slopes of Shotover Hill, and discover the abundance of edible plants and natural resources growing all around us. Along the way, you’ll learn how to forage responsibly, deepen your connection with nature and develop a new appreciation for the incredible diversity of our local countryside.

Westhill Farm has a fascinating history. Once home to the stewards of the surrounding woods, it was abandoned after a fire. Today, a group of people, including Justine, are bringing the space back to life through nature-based, non-invasive workshops that encourage people to reconnect with the land.

Whether you’re new to foraging or keen to expand your knowledge, this is an opportunity to slow down, explore, learn something new and experience the countryside through a different lens.

Come and discover what’s growing on your doorstep — and fall a little more in love with your countryside.

What to expect: Meeting at Shotover car park, at the top of Old Road, Oxford, Justine will lead us through beautiful ancient woodlands, starting our course along the way by identifying some of the plants and mushrooms around us. Once arrived at Westhill, we'll continue our walk with an opportunity to pick and appreciate plants and mushrooms further.

What to bring: Dress appropriately for the weather. Bring comfortable shoes for walking and plenty of water to stay refreshed. Some may wish to bring a basket, or similar.

Weather: Sessions go ahead in all weather (unless conditions are extreme).

How to get there: 
By car - The main car park at the top of Shotover Hill is on Old Road, Headington OX3 8TA (see pinpoint on map above). Parking is free. Alternative parking can be found at Horspath Sports Ground with a walk up into the park.

By bus - Buses stop near the bottom of Old Road - which will require a 15-20min walk uphill to the park, or from Horspath Rd or the Slade which also includes a 15-20min walk.

By foot/bike - There are numerous entrances and exits to Shotover, many are signposted from surrounding roads. Bridleways are signposted in blue.