A Week of Wild Food Adventures and Tasty Trails
15th to 20th September
Feast Bowland is an annual week-long celebration that showcases the rich culinary heritage, wild foods and local produce of the Forest of Bowland. Running from the 15th to 20th of September, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with the area's food culture through a variety of activities. Participants can enjoy guided walks and wanders, and foodie experiences, all while discovering the wild foods and distinctive dishes that make Bowland special.
Booking events: please note that you will be taken to Lancashire County Council's website to book some of the events - you will receive an automated confirmation after booking which confirms your place.
Final event information, including meeting points, will be sent to you a week before the event, and then a final reminder will be sent a few days before (be sure to junk email folders if you have not received it.)
Some events are booked directly with the provider, these include the Bowland and Bay Food Tour, Mushroom Cultivation Workshop and Lovely Cow Shed events.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS:
- Monday 15th September - Wild Food Exploration, 10am to 12.30 pm, Gisburn Forest
- Monday 15th September - Mushroom Cultivation Workshop, 1-4pm, Holden Clough Nursery
- Tuesday 16th - Herbal Medicine Walk, 12.30 to 4.00pm, Barrowford Heritage Centre
- Wednesday 17th September - Elderberry Forage and Make, 10am to 1pm or 12pm to 3pm, Lovely Cow Shed, Jeffrey Hill
- Friday 19th September - Bowland and Bay Food Tours, 11am to 4pm, Lancaster
- Friday 19th September - Herbal First Aid Workshop, 6-8pm, Dunsop Bridge
- Saturday 19th September - Picnic & Play in the Park, 10am to Midday, Dunsop Bridge
FRINGE EVENTS
Monday 15th September - Wild Food Exploration
10am to 12.30pm, Gisburn Forest
Join Pete Compston from Pendle Plant Craft for wild food exploration and well-being wander. Be guided on a short walk in the beautiful setting at Gisburn Forest to learn about plants, trees and mushrooms. Find out about their benefits and uses, while delving into our connection with the beautiful surroundings.
COST: £5 (optional cafe refreshments at an additional cost)
(This event is suitable for those aged 18 and over.)
Booking essential.
BOOKING LINK
Monday 15th September - Mushroom Cultivation Workshop
1-4pm, Holden Clough Nursery
Join The Pendle Mushroom Company for an immersive and hands-on workshop held at Holden Clough Nurseries, exploring the incredible world of fungi. Guided by expert mycologist and renowned wild food forager Ade Rose—a familiar face and voice from numerous TV and radio appearances—this engaging session is perfect for anyone curious about mushrooms, from beginners to seasoned nature lovers as well as budding experimental chefs.
The workshop kicks off with a captivating overview of the history, ecology, and diverse uses of fungi, from ancient traditions to modern culinary and health applications. Participants will then enjoy a guided mushroom taste testing, sampling a variety of gourmet and wild fungi while learning about their unique flavours and nutritional benefits.
To round off the experience, you'll get your hands dirty and create your very own "Grow-at-Home" mushroom bucket—a sustainable and reusable growing system that will keep you harvesting fresh mushrooms long after the workshop ends.
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to delve into the mysterious world of fungi with one of the North West’s leading foraging & fungi experts.
COST: £35pp
BOOK DIRECTLY WITH PENDLE MUSHROOM COMPANY
Tuesday 16th September - Herbal Medicine Walk & Workshop
12.30pm to 4.00pm, Barrowford
Join us for a guided walk and workshop learning about herbalism, wild foods, resilience, sustainability, health and wellbeing.
Take a walk with Danielle Kay to the wild edges of Barrowford Park and see what autumnal hedgerow delights are available at this time of year and how to enjoy them for yourself.
Back at the Pendle Heritage Centre Danielle will prepare a variety of elixirs for you to try and you will prepare your own winter tonic to take away.
COST: £20pp
(This event is suitable for those aged 18 and over.)
Booking essential.
BOOKING LINK
Friday 19th September - Bowland and Bay Food Tour
11-4pm, starting at Lancaster Castle LA1 1YN, (5 minutes walk from Lancaster Train Station)
This stunning tour through the centre of the kingdom will include 6 food & drink experiences:
- Castle for fresh cakes & unique teas
- The Fleece Inn – winner of rural Oscar for best countryside pub – tasting platters.
- Mrs Kirkham’s legend Lancashire cheese farm
- Wild Fox craft gin flight at the distillery
- Ice Cream on the fells.
- Drinks in the centre of the kingdom, Inn at Whitewell.
Please note on the booking, any dietary requirements & contact details.
Alongside the deliciousness, Bowland & Bay provide:
- Luxury transport for up to 8 guests in Mercedes-Benz Tourer.
- History, landscape and nature photo opportunities.
- Sensory retail stop offs for pantry & hearth gifts.
- Foodie chats and legendary tales of Bowland & Bay.
We look forward to meeting fellow Foodie Explorers to join the adventure.
COST: Feast Bowland Event offer of only £47.50pp (normal price £95pp)
(This event is suitable for those aged 18 and over.)
Booking essential.
BOOK DIRECTLY WITH BOWLAND & BAY
Wednesday 17th - Elderberry Forage And Make Workshop
10am to 1pm and 12 to 3pm, Jeffrey Hill, Nr Longridge
Join The Lovely Cow Shed on the beautiful Jeffrey Hill for a seasonal adventure in nature and making. You’ll begin with a gentle forage around the farm, where you’ll handpick elderberries growing in abundance during this special time of year.
Afterwards, head indoors for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn how to turn your foraged finds into delicious elderberry balsamic vinegar and a sweet, nourishing elderberry cordial to take home and enjoy.
This relaxing and rewarding session also includes a wholesome lunch to keep you fuelled and inspired throughout the day.
Reconnect with nature, learn traditional skills, and leave with handmade creations.
COST: £25pp (includes refreshments, lunch and creations to take away)
(This event is suitable for those aged 18 and over.)
Booking essential.
BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE LOVELY COW SHED
- Morning: 10am to 1pm OR Afternoon: Midday to 3pm are listed as separate events on their workshop webpage.
Friday 19th - Herbal First Aid Workshop
6pm to 8pm, Dunsop Bridge Village Hall
Details to follow
Saturday 20th September - Picnic & Play in the Park
10am to Midday, Dunsop Bridge
Join Bowland Fitness for a fun, family event with outdoor games, followed by a picnic lunch.
ParkPlay is a Sport England supported charity empowering communities to bring free, outdoor play to their parks every week, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to connect and have fun. Dunsop Bridge ParkPlay has been established for nearly 12 months and welcomes new visitors as part of the Forest of Bowland's Feast week.
All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied and supervised by adults.
Please bring along your own picnic lunch or refreshments are available to purchase from Puddleducks Cafe.
COST: FREE (booking required)
(This event is suitable for all ages.)
BOOKING LINK
FRINGE EVENTS
Thursday 18th September, 6.30-8.30pm, Patty's Barn, Cockerham: Seasonal Community Gathering // A Butterfly Effect Event organised by Land and Sea