Discover the wilder side of St Ives...

Join local foraging expert Josh Quick of Wild St Ives for a gentle walk around the Island learning how to safely and sustainably harvest wild edible plants found around the coast.

Learning to forage for wild foods is like a treasure hunt for adults. Discover new and exciting flavours, spend more time in nature and learn to add a greater diversity of foods to your everyday cooking. 

Josh has taught hundreds of people on his guided walks, from curious home cooks to grandmothers, brewers, distillers, & renowned chefs.

This introductory walk will last approximately 2 hours. 

Perfect for complete beginners or more experienced foragers. We'll look at how to:

• Identify a range of wild plants
• Pick sustainably
• Use wild foods in the kitchen
• Understand safety and legal issues

Prices

Adult ticket £25

Teenager* (12-17) £10

Children* (under 12) FREE

Adult ticket: Low Income £7.5**

*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 have given him an extensive knowledge of the local flora, with over a decade of experience foraging for wild edible plants. He is also a member of the Association of Foragers, presented "Hungry for Change," a film exploring sustainable food practices in Cornwall 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. 

Here's what others had to say:

"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 very gentle walk, stopping frequently to discuss the plants we come across. There are some small hills and steps on the Island.

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 The Island car park, Porthgwidden car park, Porthmeor car park or Barnoon car park.

Where are the nearest toilet facilities? The nearest toilets are very close by at Smeatons pier or Porthgwidden car park.

What about the weather? Foraging 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 St Ives museum, TR26 1PR. The 'What 3 words' tag is ///bridge.overheard.seducing

Can I bring my dog? Well behaved dogs are welcome, but please keep them on a lead 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.

Are we gathering plants? This is very much an educational workshop and we won't be gathering large quantities of any plant material. However, feel free to bring a small tub if you would like to take some of the more abundant plants home with you to play with in the kitchen. Ensuring the sustainability of the local flora is a key concept of Josh's approach to foraging.

Are there any food or drinks provided? Expect a wild snack break.

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