Safe foraging in Yorkshire

Love the land, and the land will love you back..

Lots of what goes into our bottles, teas and garnishes starts in a Yorkshire hedgerow. Foraging is one of the oldest ways to connect with the land, but it comes with responsibilities to yourself, to landowners and to the plants and wildlife that depend on them. Here's how we forage, and how we'd encourage you to do it too.

1. Be 100% sure of what you pick

Never eat anything you can't identify with complete certainty. Several deadly plants grow in Yorkshire alongside edible ones. Hemlock and hemlock water dropwort can be mistaken for cow parsley or wild carrot, and foxglove leaves can be confused with comfrey. If in doubt, leave it out.

• Cross-check with at least two reliable field guides.
• Learn the poisonous look-alikes as well as the plant you're after.
• Go out with an experienced forager or join a guided walk before going solo.
• Wild mushrooms need specialist knowledge. We'd never recommend picking them for eating without an expert.

2. Know the law

In England, it's illegal to uproot any wild plant without the landowner's permission under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and some rare species are fully protected and must not be picked at all. Picking small amounts of fruit, flowers, foliage or fungi for your own use is generally tolerated, but foraging for sale needs permission.

• Always ask permission on private land.
• Check the rules before picking in nature reserves, National Trust land and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), where foraging is often restricted or banned.
• Stick to public rights of way and respect any signs.

3. Pick kindly

• Only take what you need, and never more than a small fraction of any patch.
• Leave plenty of flowers, berries and seeds for wildlife and for next year's plants.
• Never uproot. Snip leaves and flowers cleanly with scissors.
• Avoid trampling surrounding plants and disturbing nesting birds.

4. Pick clean

• Avoid busy roadsides, field edges that may have been sprayed, and low-growing plants on dog-walking routes.
• Steer clear of land that may be polluted, such as near industrial sites or drains.
• Wash everything thoroughly before use.

5. Follow the Countryside Code

Respect everyone, protect the environment and enjoy the outdoors. Leave gates as you find them, take your litter home and keep dogs under control, especially around livestock and during bird nesting season.

Trusted sources

These organisations offer reliable guidance on plant identification, the law and caring for the countryside:

• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): plant identification, potentially harmful plants and growing your own herbs.
• The Countryside Code (GOV.UK): official guidance on enjoying the countryside responsibly.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust: local reserves, wildlife and events across Yorkshire.
• Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority: access, rights of way and conservation in the Dales.
• North York Moors National Park: guidance for visitors to the moors and coast.
• Woodland Trust: tree and plant ID guides and their foraging guidance.
• Plantlife: wild plant conservation and protected species.
• The Association of Foragers: find experienced foraging teachers and courses.

This guide is for general information only and isn't a substitute for expert identification, medical advice or legal advice. Forage at your own risk, and if you think someone has eaten something poisonous, call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency.