Foraging in North Wales
North Wales is home to a variety of environments, from rugged coastlines to rolling hills, mountains and woodlands. These diverse habitats offer a wealth of foraging opportunities throughout the year. Foraging in North Wales is an enjoyable activity for all and can be included as part of other activities like hiking, mountain biking, or paddling along the rivers. It allows you to connect with nature, discover beautiful landscapes and find delicious wild food. In this blog post, we'll explore three great areas to forage in North Wales and highlight some of the edible plants and fungi you can find.
Three top spots for foraging in North Wales:
Anglesey
This beautiful island off the coast of North Wales is a forager's dream, with sandy beaches, rocky coves, and wild heathlands. Look out for sea weeds like sea lettuce, and dulse. Samphire can be found growing along the rocky coastlines. The coastline of Anglesey is home to many species of shellfish, such as mussels, cockles, and limpets. These can be harvested and used in a variety of dishes, such as seafood stews and chowders. Sea rocket is a member of the mustard family and grows on rocky shores and sand dunes. The leaves and flowers have a delicious peppery flavour. Sea buckthorn is a thorny shrub that grows along the coast and produces small, bright orange berries which are high in vitamin C.
Llangollen and the Dee Valley
The Dee Valley is known for its breathtaking scenery, characterised by rolling hills, wooded slopes, and the meandering River Dee. It offers a mix of rural charm, historical sites, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Within the Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there is a diverse range of flora and fauna and is particularly rich in a wide range of edible plants and fungi. This includes some well-loved favourites like wild garlic, nettles, elderflowers, bilberries, porcini and chanterelle mushrooms. Llangollen is nestled in the heart of the Dee valley, with a huge array of walks and adventurous activities on offer you’ll never be stuck for things to do in Llangollen!
Eryri - Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia is a paradise for foragers, with a rich variety of edible plants and fungi that can all be found with stunning mountainous backdrop. Look out for wild garlic in the shaded ancient woodlands next to some beautiful streams and rivers. Bilberries, crowberries, and lingonberries can be found in the moorland in the Summer months so keep your eyes peeled whilst you are out walking the hills. Mushrooms and berries are plentiful in the woodlands and hedgerows during Autumn time, so it’s well worth exploring the various trails at that time of the year. Snowdonia has a lot to offer for all abilities in a wide range of settings.
With a wealth of stunning landscapes to explore in North Wales you will find lots of outdoor activities to enjoy. So, if you’re ever looking for things to do in North Wales, why not add foraging to the list!
Before you set off on your foraging adventures, here are some top tips to keep you, and our natural environment safe:
Get permission: Always seek permission from landowners before foraging on private land. On public land you can forage freely except from areas of conservation, and you must never uproot the plants you find.
Identify your finds: Make sure you can positively identify any plants or fungi you collect before consuming them. If you're unsure, leave it.
Don't take too much: Only take what you need, and never take more than 1/3 of what you find to ensure the plants or fungi can continue to grow and reproduce.
Be mindful of the environment: Avoid foraging in protected areas or areas with sensitive ecosystems, and take care not to damage the environment.
If you’re not sure how to start your foraging journey and you would like to learn some of the fundamentals to empower you to go forward, join me for a walk or workshop in Llangollen. You’ll be introduced to a range of different plants and fungi, depending on what’s in season, guided through the identification process and given hints, tips and recipes. More information on foraging workshops in Llangollen here.