Mushroom
Foraging Workshop
26-28 October 2026
Welcome to our expert-guided mushroom foraging workshop in the ancient landscape of West Sussex.
We’ll explore the world of wild fungi with Chris Holdham—learning to identify, harvest, and enjoy them with care and respect. Rooted in rewilding and seasonal abundance, this is a chance to connect with nature, deepen your knowledge, and celebrate the wild through food and community with a magical farm stay at Westerlands.
Your host, Chris Holdham
We’re thrilled to have Chris leading this workshop. He combines wisdom, care, and enthusiasm to make our mushroom foraging experience both enriching and safe. He is a devoted naturalist with a deep-rooted passion for fungi and wild ecosystems. His approach is rooted in hands-on learning, ecological mindfulness, and a keen eye for detail.
Whether it’s identifying chanterelles flush among mossy conifers or distinguishing safe edibles from look-alikes, Chris brings a thoughtful balance of scientific care, local insight, and forager’s intuition.
Prices
Workshop price
£380 per person which includes:
Day 1 - Sunday
14.00 Horsebox Café welcome refreshment
16.30 WildSpa Sauna & Plunge
19.00 Supper with your host
Day 2 - Monday
10.00 Horsebox Café Workshop talk
11.00 Foraging walk with a picnic lunch
16.00 Wild foraged gourmet dinner over open fire
Day 3 - Tuesday
10.00 Equine connection session
11.00 Horsebox Café farewell refreshment
Accommodation
The price of accommodation is separate to the workshop price so that our guests can choose from one of three options:
Option 1: A two night stay in your own bedroom at Lower Barn House - a gorgeous renovated farm house shared with other guests attending the workshop. This spacious property offers a stunning combination of timeless style in a uniquely peaceful setting.
Option 2: Choose your own farm stay property nearby.
Option 3: Attend the workshop as a day guest (without staying at Westerlands)
-Water is from our borehole on the South Downs and is pure, sweet and safe to drink
-Heating and hot water is provided by our biomass boiler. A wood burning stove inside and a fire-pit outside provides additional warmth
-All bedding, linen, bath towels, tea towels, and microfibre cloths are provided as well as complementary hand soap, body wash, shampoo & conditioner and household cleaning products
-We also provide basic pantry items and wood fire supplies
Our accommodation is self-catering so we only provide the meals which are included in our workshop.
Choose your bedroom for two nights at Lower Barn House
-
Room 1
Price: £220 (1 or 2 guests)
Upstairs double bed. En-suite bathroom -
Room 2
Price: £200 (1 or 2 guests)
Upstairs super king bed (or twin singles). Upstairs shared bathroom. -
Room 3
Price: £180 (1 or 2 guests)
Upstairs double bed. Upstairs shared bathroom. -
Room 4
Price: £180 (1 or 2 guests
Downstairs double bed. Downstairs shared bathroom. -
Room 5
Price: £120 (1 or 2 guests)
Downstairs double sofa-bed in private snug. Downstairs shared bathroom. -
Room 6
Price: £100 (1 guest)
Upstairs single bed. Upstairs shared bathroom.
What to expect
Day 1
Arrival
2pm Meet at the Horsebox Café
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee after your journey, meet your host Chris and the other workshop attendees.
3pm Check-in to your room
Get settled in to your accommodation, unpack and relax for an hour.
Day 1
Afternoon
4.30pm Wellness Experience
Join the other attendees for a WildSpa Sauna & Plunge or relax and unwind in your residence or explore the farm.
Relaxing in a warm sauna followed by a refreshing cold plunge can supercharge the benefits of both therapies. This energy boosting contrast is further amplified when surrounded by nature in a peaceful and private setting.
Day 1
Evening
7pm Supper
Join Chris for supper at Lower Barn House
On the evening before your truffle hunting adventure, guests will be treated to a warming, home-cooked supper prepared by our private chef. Designed to nourish and comfort, the meal celebrates the flavours of late autumn with seasonal ingredients and hearty, satisfying dishes—perfect for fueling the next day’s woodland exploration. All dietary requirements are fully accommodated, so everyone can enjoy a delicious and relaxing meal together. Share stories, settle in by the fire, and savour a sense of community as you prepare for the excitement of mushroom foraging the following day.
Day 2
Morning
10am Rewilding talk
Meet at the Horsebox Café for coffee and a talk from Chris about foraging and rewilding. Enjoy a specially prepared morsel of wild food to whet your appetite for more…
In West Sussex, rewilding is as much about rekindling our relationship with the land as it is about restoring natural habitats. These edible treasures connect us to the rhythms of the land, echoing the traditions of those who have foraged here for millennia. By engaging with the wild foods of the season, we step into a deeper dialogue with West Sussex’s timeless topography, where ecology, history, and nourishment are woven together.
Day 2
Morning
11am Foraging walk
Chris will lead attendees on a 3-4hr guided mushroom foraging session setting off from Westerlands, around the exclusive Lavington Common Plantation and secret locations beyond.
Chris believes that responsible foraging is more than gathering food—it’s about mindful exploration, ecological connection, and knowing when to walk away. His teaching emphasises safety first, ethical harvesting, and respect for fungal habitats. You can expect clear, approachable instruction, practical demonstrations (like spore printing and safe handling techniques), and a warm curiosity for what nature has to reveal.
Day 2
What to bring
Picnic lunch
Each residential guest is provided with their own pre-prepared farm-style picnic lunch, thoughtfully packed and ready to carry along on the foraging walk. Inside, you’ll find a delicious selection of seasonal farm favourites—freshly baked bread, home-made quiche, garden vegetables, and a sweet treat—all tucked into a convenient bundle. Please advise us of any dietary requirements. Bring your own refillable bottle.
Clothing
Wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions and seasons. Wear comfy walking shoes. If the conditions are expected to be muddy bring wellington boots!
Basket
Bring a basket, container or cloth bag to store any foraged food you would like to take home. We discourage the use of plastic bags to store foraged food in.
Also a note pad and pen to write down information and a camera to take pictures or videos.
Day 2
Evening
4-6pm Wild foraged dinner over open fire
Guests will watch a wild foraged food cooking demonstration by West Sussex gourmet hunt and gather chef Lee from @food_fire_knives where the day’s harvest is included in a beautiful, flavour-packed feast for all to enjoy, paired with refreshing drinks.
Wild foods captivate for many reasons—their intense flavours, gourmet quality, sustainable origins, or rich nutritional and medicinal value. With demand soaring among top chefs, these seasonal delights offer endless variety, from autumn’s mushrooms, nuts, and seeds to edible flowers, and greens.
Morning
10am Wellness Experience
join the other attendees for some quality connection time with our horses at the Trekking Centre.
Horses are deeply social creatures, and their sensitivity makes them wonderfully responsive to human interaction. Spending time with one of our horses offers a peaceful, rewarding experience—an intimate moment of shared connection. In their calm and non-judgmental presence, you’ll find a space ideal for reflection, comfort, and enhancing your well-being.
Day 3
Day 3
Farewell
11am Horsebox Café
Check-out of your residence before 11am and head to the Horsebox Café for farewell refreshments.
Don’t feel you have to rush off! There’s plenty on offer at Westerlands if you want to enjoy more wellbeing experiences. Book well in advance to reserve the time you want.
Choose your Escape
