What is Foraging - A Beginners Introduction

Foraging is the act or practice of searching for and gathering wild food from nature. It’s an ancient practice from a time before the local supermarket, from a time before agriculture and farming even. Humans survived by identifying and collecting edible plants, mushrooms, fruits, nuts, and even small animals like snails or muscles, from their natural environments. Humans have been foraging for an estimated 1.8 million years. Quite a lot of practice.

Foraging requires knowledge and deserves respect. Knowing what is safe to eat, what’s endangered, how to harvest responsibly without harming the ecosystem and what are the laws around the practice. It’s a combination of outdoor adventure, botany, and food experimentation. With foraging you can transform a walk through nature into an engaging and rewarding nature venture/treasure hunt.

As part of our latest spring/summer campaign shoot, we were lucky enough to join Craig Evans, who runs Coastal Foraging experiences on the breathtaking Pembrokeshire Coast. Over the past few years, foraging has surged in popularity, with many people exploring woodlands and hedgerows for wild garlic, plants, and mushrooms. But did you know that our coastlines are also packed with edible treasures, waiting to be discovered?

Craig, a passionate forager and educator, has spent years learning about the rich diversity of edible species along the Welsh shoreline. From seaweed varieties like dulse and laver (a key ingredient in traditional Welsh laverbread) to shellfish such as mussels and cockles, the coast offers a bounty of nutritious, natural food—if harvested responsibly.

Sustainable foraging is at the heart of Craig’s ethos. It’s not just about finding food; it’s about understanding the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same abundance. Responsible foraging means taking only what you need, following local regulations, and allowing nature to regenerate. Certain species have limited harvesting seasons, and some areas are protected to preserve marine biodiversity—so education is key.

Foraging is also a gateway to reconnecting with nature. It encourages us to slow down, observe our surroundings, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. There’s something incredibly rewarding about cooking a meal with ingredients you’ve gathered yourself—whether it’s a simple seaside snack of fresh seaweed crisps or a hearty seafood dish inspired by traditional coastal recipes.

We finished our wonderful and educational afternoon with Craig by cooking our foraged finds over a Swedish log candle, the fire crackling as we enjoyed the freshest coastal feast imaginable. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, we reflected on the experience—not just of tasting the wild but of truly immersing ourselves in it. Our adventure with Craig reinforced the importance of respecting and protecting the wild spaces we explore. So next time you’re walking along the coast, take a moment to look a little closer—you might be surprised by how much nature has to offer.

To learn more or book a foraging experience, visit Coastal Foraging.

You might find that theres a surprising range of foraging to be done in the UK. Foragers can choose to harvest a variety of wild foods, depending on the season, location, and environment. Some of the most commonly foraged items in the UK include:

• Wild Greens (e.g., dandelion, sorrel, nettle): Edible plants that thrive in uncultivated, wild areas, providing fresh greens rich in nutrients.
• Brambles & Berries (e.g., blackberries, elderberries, raspberries): Thorny shrubs that yield delicious, antioxidant-packed berries, often found in hedgerows and forests.
• Mushrooms (e.g., chanterelles): While offering rich flavours, mushrooms require expertise to identify safely—misidentification can be dangerous.
• Nuts (e.g., hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts): Wild nuts provide protein and healthy fats, typically harvested in autumn.
• Seaweeds (e.g., dulse, kelp): Of course seaweeds are found along coastlines. Nutrient-dense sea vegetables are often used in traditional dishes like Welsh laverbread.
• Shellfish (e.g., cockles, mussels): Coastal areas are great places to forage for shellfish, but always be mindful of local regulations to ensure we don’t over harvest.

If you’re interested in, and are planning to go foraging, remember foraging isn’t just about finding food; it’s also about learning to respecting nature. Always make sure you're following local laws, identifying species correctly, and harvesting in a way that isn’t a detriment to the plant.