John Miller
Mushroom hunting is a popular activity in the UK, with around 15,000 types of wild fungi to discover. While mushrooms grow all year round, the best time to go foraging is in autumn, particularly from September to late November. At this time of year, you're likely to find an array of edible mushrooms, including the highly-prized field mushroom, with its domed cap and deep pink gills, and the bay bolete, known for its chestnut-brown cap. Before you head out, make sure you're clued up on the do's and don'ts of mushroom picking, including how to identify mushrooms, where you're allowed to forage, and how to stay safe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to pick mushrooms | September to late November |
| Mushroom types | Velvet Shank, Wood Blewits, St. Georges Mushroom |
| Mushroom hunting equipment | Pocket guide, Pocket 10x Lens, Camera, Mosquito spray, Wipes, Knife, Wicker basket |
| Mushroom hunting safety | Do not over-forage, do not trample or damage fungi, foliage or animal habitats, do not forage in restricted areas |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom identification guides and courses
Mushroom identification requires knowledge of the key characteristics of mushrooms, their biology, and their habitats. There are several online and in-person courses available in the UK that can help you learn these skills.
Online Courses
Mushroom Exam offers free and paid online courses in mushroom identification. The course is dedicated to certifying students to safely pick and forage wild mushrooms. It teaches students how to identify 20+ common, easily distinguishable edible mushroom species, as well as simple, easy-to-remember rules to avoid misidentification.
Field Studies Council also offers online fungi courses throughout the year, delivered by expert tutors. These courses are designed to help students acquire or improve their identification skills and learn about the key characteristics of mushrooms.
In-Person Courses
Wild Food People offers a one-day mushroom identification course that covers the biology of fungi and how to identify edible and toxic mushrooms. The course takes place in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, where students can explore rough footpaths, trackways, and woodlands to find undisturbed areas of mushrooms. There is no special equipment necessary for this course, but students should be prepared for the weather and the physical activity involved.
In addition to these comprehensive courses, there are also various guidebooks and online resources available for mushroom identification, such as the Wild Food UK book and website, Galloway Wild Foods, and First Nature.
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Where to find edible mushrooms
The UK is home to around 15,000 species of wild mushrooms or fungi, which can be found in various environments, including woods, riverbanks, meadows, fields, and even your bathroom! Here are some tips on where to find edible mushrooms in the UK:
Woodlands and Grasslands
The majority of wild mushrooms in the UK tend to grow more abundantly in woodlands and grasslands. For example, the Amethyst deceiver can be found in mixed and broadleaf woodlands, especially near oak and beech trees. This small but beautiful purple mushroom can grow in large numbers, making it a worthwhile find for foragers. Just be careful, as it resembles the poisonous lilac fibrecap.
Fields and Meadows
As the name suggests, field mushrooms grow in fields and meadows. They have a smooth, slender stem tapering downwards, deep pink gills, and a white cap that can be discoloured brown. While once common, they are now harder to find due to agricultural chemicals and habitat loss. Nevertheless, they are edible and have a mildly acidic taste.
Pine Woodlands
If you're in Northern England or Scotland, keep an eye out for the saffron milkcap, a delicious edible mushroom found in pine woodlands. It bleeds a bright carrot-orange liquid when cut and was even depicted in the Roman ruins of Herculaneum.
Your Garden
You might not need to go far to find some edible mushrooms, as they can often be found in people's gardens. The parasol mushroom, for example, can grow to the size of a dinner plate and is considered a delicacy. With its shaggy appearance, movable skirt, and snakeskin pattern on the stem, it's relatively easy to identify.
After Rain
No matter the season, most ground mushrooms will appear soon after rain. The moist conditions quickly trigger the fruiting process, so keep an eye out for mushrooms "popping up" overnight after rainy conditions.
Remember, always use multiple sources to identify mushrooms and never eat anything unless you are 100% sure it is edible. Happy foraging!
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What to bring mushroom hunting
Mushroom hunting, or foraging, is a fun and rewarding activity, but it's important to be prepared. Here's a list of what to bring to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:
Clothing and Footwear:
Good footwear is essential. A comfortable pair of walking boots with good grip will keep your feet dry and provide stability when navigating uneven terrain. It's also a good idea to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to protect your legs and arms from scratches and insect bites. A hat can provide shade on sunny days, and a raincoat will keep you dry if it rains.
Tools and Equipment:
A knife is useful for harvesting mushrooms and cutting away any dirt or debris. While a basic knife will do, a curved, foldable foraging knife with bristles is ideal as the bristles help to brush away any soil from the mushrooms. You can also bring tweezers for added precision. A basket is perfect for carrying your finds, allowing spores to fall through the gaps, and it's nature-friendly too. Mesh or paper bags are also useful for storing and separating different types of mushrooms, ensuring proper ventilation and preventing them from getting slimy. Avoid plastic bags, as they can cause mushrooms to sweat and become damaged.
Navigation and Identification:
It's easy to get turned around in the woods, so bring a GPS device or a compass and a map to navigate your way back. A field guide or a pocket guide is essential for identifying mushrooms and ensuring you only collect safe, edible varieties. A pocket 10x lens can help you examine the micro-characteristics of mushrooms, and a camera can capture images of the mushrooms and their surroundings for later reference.
Food and Water:
Bring lightweight, high-protein snacks like beef jerky or nuts to keep your energy up. Water is also essential to stay hydrated, and you might want to bring a hot drink in a flask for colder days.
Other Essentials:
Don't forget to pack mosquito spray and sunscreen to protect yourself from insect bites and sun exposure. Wipes are useful for cleaning your hands after handling mushrooms, and it's a good idea to bring a basic first aid kit for any minor injuries. Finally, make sure your phone is fully charged, and consider downloading offline maps and a mushroom identification app to assist with finding your way back and identifying mushrooms.
Remember to always follow local laws and guidelines for mushroom foraging, including any restrictions on foraging in certain areas and guidelines on how much to forage without overdoing it. Happy hunting!
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How to pick mushrooms
Mushroom hunting, or foraging, is a fun activity to do in the autumn months in the UK. It can be a challenging task, as there are millions of species of fungi, with around 15,000 types of wild fungi in the UK alone. However, there are some tips and tricks to help you identify edible mushrooms and pick them safely.
Firstly, it is important to know where to look. Mushrooms grow all year round, but the autumn is the best time to go hunting, especially after rainy weather. Look for beech, oak and birch woodlands, and keep your eyes peeled for different shapes, sizes and colours.
Secondly, you should be aware of the legal aspects of mushroom picking. While foraging for personal use is allowed, there are some areas where it is prohibited, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Trust land, public parks and nature reserves. You should also be aware of any local bye-laws that may restrict foraging in certain areas.
When you head out, make sure you have the right equipment. Good, grippy walking boots are essential, as conditions can be muddy. You may also want to take a knife for harvesting, a pocket guide to help you identify mushrooms, a 10x lens for examining micro-characteristics, a camera to capture the mushrooms and their surroundings, mosquito spray, and wipes for cleaning your hands after handling mushrooms. It is also recommended to take a wicker basket to collect your mushrooms in, as this is better than using plastic bags, which can make the mushrooms sweat and become mashed up.
Finally, and most importantly, you must be able to identify mushrooms correctly before you pick them. There are around 25 types of mushroom in the UK that can kill you if eaten raw, and many more that can make you very sick. Never eat anything unless you are 100% sure it is edible, and always cross-reference with multiple sources for identification.
Happy hunting!
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Foraging laws and restrictions
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
This act makes it illegal to collect any wild plant or mushroom from certain places without permission. These places include National Nature Reserves (NNR) or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is also illegal to dig up or remove any plant, including algae, lichens, and fungi, without permission from the landowner or occupier.
The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act, 2000
This act applies only to England and Wales and grants unrestricted access to designated areas of open land for recreational purposes. However, there are certain restrictions on activities that can be carried out in these areas.
Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003
This act grants a universal "right to roam" law in Scotland, allowing individuals to access all types of land for recreational and educational purposes with restrictions. Access rights are granted only if they are exercised responsibly.
Theft Act 1968
Under this act, it is theft to pick wild food from private land without the owner's permission. This means that taking items without permission, even if they are not sold, is a criminal offence. Commercial foragers must obtain permission from the landowner to forage on private land.
Other Considerations
- Over-foraging is discouraged, especially when it comes to younger species that need to mature and drop their spores.
- It is important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid damaging animal habitats, foliage, or fungi underfoot.
- Drugs misuse and the possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms, such as Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybe semilanceata), are taken very seriously by the law.
- Always properly identify mushrooms before consuming them. Use multiple sources for identification and only eat what you are 100% sure is edible.
- Carrying a knife for harvesting mushrooms is useful, but be aware of UK knife laws.
- Avoid using plastic bags as they can cause mushrooms to "sweat" and become mashed. Instead, use a wicker basket to allow spores to fall through the gaps.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom picking season in the UK is from September to late November, with different species popping up throughout this period. Mushrooms tend to appear soon after rain, so you're more likely to find them after wet weather.
You can pick mushrooms on public access land, but be aware of local bye-laws and restrictions in certain areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Trust land, public parks, and nature reserves. Look for beech, oak, and birch woodland, and remember to follow the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and any other relevant local rules.
Mushroom identification can be challenging, and there are many toxic and even deadly varieties. Never eat anything unless you are 100% sure it is edible, and always use multiple sources for identification. Consider taking a foraging course or using a pocket-sized identification guide to common UK species.
Good boots are essential for navigating muddy terrain. You may also want to bring a knife for harvesting, a wicker basket for collecting mushrooms, a pocket lens for examining micro-characteristics, a camera for capturing mushrooms and their surroundings, mosquito spray, and wipes for cleaning your hands after handling mushrooms.
