Gin Foraging Experience

Explore the beautiful Bore Place estate with a professional forager, tasting and gathering seasonal wild plants and trees. We will use these fresh ingredients to make our own wild-flavoured alcohol or vinegar infusion to take home. Infuse vodka or add juniper to make a gin, or create a bespoke vinegar. There are an amazing array of flavours to be found in wild edibles which can make really unique infusions. Recipes and guidance will be provided, however you are free to follow your own palate to make a completely new infusion, unique to you!

Included

• Forager’s code: essential safety, sustainability and legal rules to follow
• Botany or mycology basics: introduction to identification
• History and uses of a variety of plants, trees & fungi (season dependant)
• Learn about flavour profiles and taste a variety of wild herbs and spices
• Recipes and guidance for your own botanical alcohol or organic apple cider vinegar infusion
• Make your own gin to take home: Kilner jar and base alcohol or organic apple cider vinegar included

What to bring

• Bottle of water – we will be tasting some wild flavours, some of which may be strong!
• Packed lunch – we will gather our own wild salad, but please bring something substantial to have with it
• Suitable clothing and footwear- the course is fully outside and will go ahead despite the weather! Waterproofs, closed-toe shoes and long trousers are a must. Depending on the season, you may need waterproof boots, sunhat or suncream, umbrella or woolly hat. Whatever you need for an enjoyable day outdoors.
• Notebook or camera – you may wish to jot down notes or take photos to jog your memory of all the information covered in the course.

Please note
Food samples are free from gluten, refined sugar, dairy and caffeine. Majority are vegan but some may contain organic egg or honey. Some products contain nuts. Please contact us in advance if you have any allergies or dietaries.

Walks vary in length, terrain and accessibility. Please contact us in advance if you have accessibility requirements.

The course will continue whatever the weather (except in electrical storms or high winds), so please come prepared for outdoor activities!

Your guide
Gemma is a passionate ethnobotanist, interested in the changing relationship between people and plants over time. She has worked with wild plants, trees and fungi for food, medicine, and traditional crafts for 20 years, leading guided walks since 2010 and wild cooking workshops since 2016. She runs Earthwild (Instagram @EarthwildLondon) providing immersive outdoor learning experiences designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and (re)connection with nature. Gemma also works as a Forest School Trainer, Sustainability Educator and Wild Food Guide for chefs and restaurants. She has a masters degree in public understanding of environmental change, studied botany with the BSBI, and certificates in food allergies, hygiene and catering. She loves nothing better than introducing people to the wonderful world of foraging!