Discover the wilder side of St Ives...

Join local foraging expert Josh Quick of Wild St Ives for a gentle walk along the coast path from Porthminster beach, learning how to safely and sustainably harvest wild edible plants found along the Cornish 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 3 hours & will include a wild snack break.

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 £40

Teenager* (12-17) £15

Children* (under 12) FREE

Adult ticket: Low Income/ Subsidised  £10**

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

**We believe everyone should have the chance to learn about foraging for wild foods. 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. Josh 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

Where to meet? We will meet next to the Lifeguard hut in the middle of Porthminster beach, St Ives, TR26 2EB   The 'What 3 words' tag is ///spenders.fillings.viewers

Is it a hard walk? It's a gentle walk, stopping frequently to discuss the plants we come across. There is a bit of a hill as the coast path starts and some of the ground on the coast path can be uneven. 

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 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 Malakoff bus station nearby and regular trains arriving at the station just above the beach. See Travelinesw.com for details of how to plan your trip.

What about parking? The nearest car park is the Station Car Park, but bear in mind it gets extremely busy. Slightly further out are Park Avenue or Trenwith Car Park (allow 15 mins or so walking from here).

Where are the nearest toilet facilities? The nearest available toilets are above the pitch and putt green on Porthminster Beach

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. Bear in mind Dogs are not allowed on the beach during the summer season. 

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 delicious homemade wild snack break

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