Can you tell a Beech from a Birch, just by its leaves? What about in winter, when the leaves have fallen?

Do you know which trees are edible, medicinal, or can live for over 400 years?

Join local botanist Josh Quick of Wild St Ives for a guided tree identification walk amongst the ancient trees of the Steeple woodland and learn to connect to nature in a whole new way.

Trees have always been an important part of human culture, providing beauty, food, fuel, medicines and shelter. 

Learning to identify a range of common tree species can enhance any walk in the countryside.  We'll spend the day in the beautiful Steeple woods; a diverse woodland full of ancient trees and history and classified as a temperate rainforest. Josh grew up playing amongst these trees and this is a woodland close to his heart.

Discover the wilder side of St Ives...

On this guided walk we will explore:

• How to identify a range of trees
• Their historical & modern uses
• The basics of woodland ecology

Perfect for complete beginners or those with some experience in tree identification.

With a few key pointers and observation, it becomes easy to identify a range of species. The aim of the day is to get people confidently identifying a variety of trees you are likely to encounter in British woodlands.
 
This walk will last approximately 2 hours.

Prices

Adult ticket £20

Teenager* (12-17) £10

Children* (under 12) FREE

Adult ticket: Low Income/ Subsidised  £5 **

*Please note under 18's must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder

**We believe everyone should have the chance to learn foraging. We offer a limited amount of heavily subsidised tickets for low-income residents where cost may be a barrier. No questions asked.

Your botanical guide, Josh, was born and raised in St Ives. His family, the Quicks, go back over half a millennium in the St Ives area after getting shipwrecked near Zennor in the 14th Century.

He holds a degree in horticulture specialising in Ethnobotany, the study of the uses of plants by people. Countless hours exploring the hedgerows and woodlands have given him an extensive knowledge of the local flora, with over a decade of experience foraging for wild edible plants. Josh set up Wild St Ives to share his passion with others, showing how we can incorporate plants into our everyday lives and enhance our connection and respect for the natural world.  He is also a member of the Association of Foragers and was recently featured on television on Rick Steins Cornwall with a distillery he helped set up that uses wild and homegrown botanicals.

Josh is trained in first aid and holds public liability insurance.

Head to www.wildstives.co.uk for more information and courses.

Here's what others had to say about our guided walks:

"Our coastal foraging walk was a highlight of our trip to St Ives. Very fun - good for most fitness levels and ages! Highly recommend" Julie R

"I had a very enjoyable afternoon foraging. Josh's instructions were very clear and informative and his enthusiasm for the subject inspired. I would fully recommend this activity, if you're in the St. Ives area." Bruce D

"Very friendly, knowledgeable and down-to-earth. Had a fantastic afternoon and been totally inspired to forage!" Mark S

Frequently asked questions

Where to meet? We will meet in front of the Barn day nursery on Higher Tregenna road, Carbis bay, TR26 2BA. The 'What 3 words' tag is ///funky.tabloid.typed

Is it a hard walk? It's a gentle walk, stopping frequently to discuss the trees we come across. Some of the ground is quite uneven and rocky. 

Are children allowed? Children are more than welcome, although the course is primarily aimed at an adult audience. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult ticket holder. Tickets for teenagers are half price and under 12s are free.

How to get there? The best way to visit St Ives is by public transport. There is a regular bus service stopping at the 'Cornish arms pub' in Carbis Bay, 5 minutes from our meeting point. See Travelinesw.com for details of how to plan your trip.

What about parking? Free parking is usually available along Higher Tregenna road. During school holidays the schools car park at the end of the road operates a carpark via Justpark.com

Where are the nearest toilet facilities? The nearest available toilets are at Tescos in Carbis bay

What about the weather? The weather is notorious for changing suddenly on the Cornish coast. Courses will run in most weather conditions unless it is absolutely torrential rain or unsafe to be outdoors, in which case a full refund will be issued.

Can I bring my dog? Well behaved dogs are welcome, but please keep them on a lead when possible for the consideration of other guests.

What to wear? Please wear walking shoes and dress appropriately for the ever-changing Cornish weather.

What to bring? A camera and notepad are recommended for taking down information for future reference

Anything else? Please send us a message and we'll get back to you ASAP