Fungi: the facts and the folklore
About this walk
Join us on a woodland treasure hunt and discover the remarkable world growing beneath your feet.
This immersive experience blends science, folklore and storytelling. We will venture into the woods in search of fungal treasures, meaning the fungi you discover will shape the journey. This means no two walks are ever the same. The woodland dictates the conversation as we uncover everything from mushrooms to jelly fungi and other extraordinary finds hiding in plain sight.
We will explore the hidden roles they play in the world around us; discover how fungi partner, steal and recycle; how vast underground fungal networks help shape ecosystems, and how some species can even control the behaviour of insects. From delicate fairy-like forms to large bizarre and beautiful organisms, fungi are among the most fascinating lifeforms on Earth.
Woven throughout the walk are the myths, folklore and stories that have surrounded fungi for centuries. Learn why they have been feared, revered and celebrated across cultures, how they became entwined with tales of fairies and folk belief, and discover some of the curious customs and traditions inspired by the fungal world.
Your experienced guide will bring together science and storytelling, revealing not only what fungi are, but why they have captured both human imagination and scientific fascination for thousands of years.
Whether you are entirely new to fungi or already captivated by their strange and secretive world, this fungal treasure hunt will encourage you to slow down, look more closely and experience the woodland in a completely new way.
You will never walk past a mushroom in quite the same way again.
Cost and duration
Offer price £25 per person (inc fees) 2 hours
Locations
Click county for available dates or jump to upcoming dates and venues here
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire, Silverstone, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Holkham, Norfolk, Holt, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Coventry, Warwickshire, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Leamington Spa, West Midlands, Worcestershire
Terrain
Varying terrain, mostly grassland, waterside and woodland. Expect mud!
Age limit
All attendees must be aged 18 years or older
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on this walk
Parking
Car parking on site with small fee for Staffordshire venue. All other venues offer free or roadside parking
Although edibility and toxicity will be mentioned, consumption of fungi will not be the focus of this walk. This is not a foraging course. For foraging courses, click here
