Spring Coastal Wildflower Walk

Discover the wilder side of St Ives...

Join local botanist Josh Quick of Wild St Ives for a guided wildflower identification walk along the coast path from St Ives. 

In the spring the coast path is bursting with colour and life as the seasonal wildflowers bloom. 

We will start our walk on the headland overlooking Porthmeor beach, before venturing out further along the South west coast path. Stopping frequently to observe the wildflowers we find on our route. This is one of the most scenic stretches of the coast path in the UK and it is particularly stunning at this time of year.

Perfect for complete beginners or those with some botanical experience.

On this guided walk we will explore:

• The basics of botany
• Identification of wildflowers
• History and ecology of the local area 

With a few key pointers and observation, it can become easy to identify a range of species. The aim of the day is to get people confidently identifying a variety of wildflowers you are likely to encounter along the Cornish coast.

This walk will last approximately 2 hours.

Prices

Adult ticket £20

Teenager* (12-17) £7.50

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 attend. We offer a limited amount of heavily subsidised tickets for those 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 botanical experience and 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 foraging 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

Is it a hard walk? It's a gentle walk, stopping frequently to discuss the plants we come across.

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 are good bus and rail links to the town. See Travelinesw.com for details of how to plan your trip.

What about parking? There are several car parks nearby, but please note they can get very busy in the season. Please make sure to allow plenty of time to find parking in St Ives. The nearest parking is at Porthmeor car park, TR26 1JZ or Barnoon car park, TR26 1JF.

Where are the nearest toilet facilities? The nearest toilets are very close by at Porthmeor car park.

What about the weather? Learning to identify wild plants is about enjoying nature in all its glory! 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.

Where to meet? We will meet in front of the Porthmeor bowling club on the footpath overlooking the beach, TR26 1JZ. The 'What 3 words' tag is ///tastes.boater.tentacles

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. Plenty of water and your snacks of choice.

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