Get ready for an adventure with a Totally Wild UK professional forager at The Big Bilberry Pick – Cheshire! This afternoon is solely focused on the magnificent bilberry! Bilberries are full of goodness and grow in plentiful numbers at Tegg’s Nose Country Park. We run this event in collaboration with the fantastic rangers at Tegg’s Nose.
Bilberries can be enjoyed in a variety of culinary creations, including jams, pies, tarts, and desserts. They can also be added to smoothies or enjoyed fresh. Bilberries are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. They are often found growing in forests, heath-lands, and moors. Bilberries have a unique and intense flavour that is both sweet and slightly tangy. Their taste is often described as more intense than that of blueberries.
What to Expect on The Big Bilberry Pick – Cheshire
To begin, we will go through the basics of foraging, how Totally Wild got started and some of the best practices we’ve found along the way. You will also gain insights into proper harvesting techniques, accurate identification, potential look-alikes, and a wealth of culinary inspiration.
We will then head out on our walk to embark on an immersive journey focused exclusively on foraging bilberries. You’ll be sent off to gather a nice amount of berries and we’ll ask you to add your bilberries to the jam pot where we will be creating bilberry jam for everyone to take home.
Please bring your own jar/container as we will not be providing these!
Suitable for anyone over the age of 5 and this is an ideal event for families and children. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Easy to Moderate walking grade.
A refreshment stop at the cafe is available.
There is public paid car parking available.
Please leave your dog at home for this event.
WHAT TO BRING
Ultimately bring along anything you feel necessary for a day outdoors. We will be outside for the majority of the course during rain or shine. We do advise the following items:
- A 200ml jar for taking home your bilberry jam
- Suitable clothing for the predicted weather (an umbrella if it’s predicted rain)
- Sturdy footwear. Walking boots are highly recommended.
- A drink – some wild flavours may be strong and water is always advised for a days foraging
- Snacks should you feel the need for them during the foraging walk.
- A pad or paper should you wish to take notes
EXTRA BITS
Finalised course details are sent out on the Monday before the event to the email address used during the booking process. This email will include the specific meeting location for the course and an introduction to your forager for the day. If you have not received this email by the end of the Monday before the event please contact us. On the odd occasion our emails can end up in junk folders so please check there first.
Our foraging events are run outdoors, and they take place in rain or shine. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for the predicted weather conditions.
