Foraging in the UK: A Beginner’s Guide to Wild Food and Where to Find It

At Nuisance, we’ve always had a thing for wild flavours. In fact, the whole idea started in the Cotswolds, where our founder Hugo spent summer days with his mum picking stinging nettles in the countryside. What began as a wholesome activity - turning those prickly greens into a refreshing homemade cordial - grew into something bigger: a drinks company inspired by nature, rooted in sustainability, and wild flavours. 

So it makes sense that we’re still obsessed with foraging - and think you might be too.

What is Foraging?

Foraging is the act of gathering wild, edible plants from the land around you. It’s something humans have done forever, and it's making a comeback - not just with chefs and outdoorsy types, but with anyone who wants to reconnect with nature and their food.

Whether you’re after elderflowers for cordial, nettles for soup, or blackberries for crumbles (or cocktails), the UK is full of edible gems - you just need to know where and when to look.

Why Forage?

• Reconnect with nature – It gets you outdoors, tuned in to the seasons and local landscapes.

• Big flavour, small footprint – Wild food often tastes better and travels less.

• It's free – Always a bonus.

• A new appreciation for the ‘weeds’ – Like nettles. Trust us!
  

What to Forage (and When)

TOP TIP: Wild garlic is your go-to beginner’s plant - smells like heaven, tastes like pesto, and doesn’t try to disguise itself as something toxic.

Best Places to Forage in the UK

• Woodlands – Great for wild garlic, mushrooms, and nuts.

• Hedgerows – Look for blackberries, sloes, rosehips, and elderberries.

• Coastal areas – Seaweed, samphire, and wild fennel can be found here.

• Fields and Meadows – Nettles, dandelions, and wild herbs thrive here.

IMPORTANT: Don’t pick from private land unless you’ve got permission. And maybe don’t scale fences. Or trespass. Or forage in your neighbour’s garden. You get the idea.

Stay Safe, Forage Smart

• Don’t eat anything unless you’re 100% sure it’s safe.

• Use an app like PlantNet or carry a field guide.

• Foraging responsibly means leaving plenty behind - for nature and fellow foragers.

Try a Guided Foraging Course

Want to really up your game? Book a foraging course. We recommend Totally Wild UK - they’ll teach you what to pick, how to cook it, and how not to poison yourself (kind of key).

You don’t need to go full Bear Grylls to enjoy foraging. Even if you just spot a few elderflowers on your next walk or pick a handful of blackberries on the way home, it’s a great way to engage with your environment — and maybe rustle up something delicious along the way.

And if all else fails, you can always just crack open a can of Nuisance and say you “foraged it from the fridge”. Enjoy our range here.