Guided Mushroom Foraging Walk - Mid Season

Mid-October is when the forest comes alive. Temperatures drop at night, the rains set in, and the fungi respond. This is the heart of the foraging season - the time when the woods are most generous, when choice edible species are at their most abundant, and when every foray feels like a genuine treasure hunt.

I'm Adi. I've been foraging since I was a teenager in Switzerland, where I learned from expert mushroom controllers. Over 46 years of foraging, I've seen every kind of season. I'm a member of the Association of Foragers, a published academic with a PhD from Goldsmiths University of London, and an educator who spent 15+ years teaching at university level. In 2021 I founded Adi's Urban Mushrooms as a non-profit social enterprise, driven by a simple belief: this knowledge should be shared.

After an introductory talk, we'll spend around 3 hours together in a beautiful, well-established forest in West Sussex. You'll learn to identify a handful of choice edible mushrooms - and the dangerous lookalikes to avoid. We'll explore the fascinating relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and trees, cover foraging laws and ethics, and I'll share practical tips on harvesting, cooking and preserving your finds.

Groups are capped at 12 people, so you get real attention. You'll receive the exact meeting point about a week before. Around 1 hour 15 minutes from SE London or Brighton by car, or train and cab. Join the WhatsApp group to organise a car share and stay connected with fellow foragers long after the day.

What to bring: wear walking boots or wellies (it might be wet and muddy), long sleeves and trousers (we might walk through brambles) and waterproofs (it may well rain). Bring a basket or cloth bag, a pocketknife, and - if you have one - a mushroom guide book.

Sliding-scale pricing: I offer a sliding scale so these walks stay open to everyone, whatever your budget. Please choose the ticket that honestly reflects your circumstances - it's based on trust, and I never ask for proof. If you can comfortably afford Standard or Solidarity, please leave the Support tickets for those who need them most. If you're on Universal Credit, use a food bank, or are working below the minimum wage choose the Support ticket. Free tickets are only for people who have bought a voucher and want to redeem it - contact [email protected] if you have a voucher and would like to attend this walk.

I've learned over the years that there's no guarantee we'll find (m)any mushrooms - but I can promise you a fun day out. 🌟 Don't just take my word for it - see what other people have said about these guided foraging walks.

Cancellation policy (mushroom foraging walks): Spaces are limited to ensure a good experience for everyone, and my walks often sell out. Please cancel at least 7 calendar days before your walk so I can offer your place to another mushroom enthusiast. To cancel, email [email protected]. Refunds (notwithstanding third-party providers' own policies):

• 0–6 days' notice: no refund, but you can rebook another walk if a place is available.
• 7–13 days' notice: a partial refund, minus any booking fees incurred through third-party platforms. Alternatively, you can rebook another walk if a place is available.
• 14 days' or more notice: a full refund , minus non-refundable booking fees. Alternatively, you can rebook another walk if a place is available.

If Adi's Urban Mushrooms cancels or changes the date: I'll offer a full refund, or a rebooking on another walk if a place is available.

Mush Love
🍄‍🟫❤️
Adi

80+ five-star Google reviews. Sell-out seasons in 2023 and 2024.

As featured in Briar: Why I forage: Adi Staempfli; East London Lines: Brockley man makes mush-room for community through fungi workshops and Southwark News: Mush Love: Meet the fungi fanatics of south London.

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