About Bex & Wild and Weeds
I’m Bex Northman, and I teach people to forage safely and confidently across Cumbria, Northumberland, and the Scottish Borders. As a member of the Association of Foragers, I lead woodland and coastal foraging walks, and run hands-on herbal remedy workshops where you’ll learn to identify wild plants, harvest ethically, and create traditional preparations to take home.
Whether you’re completely new to foraging or looking to deepen your plant knowledge, I’ll guide you through the practical skills you need to forage independently—from safe plant identification to wild food preparation and traditional herbal techniques.
My Approach to Foraging Education
Safety is my priority: you’ll learn robust identification methods, understand which plants to avoid, and gain the confidence to continue foraging responsibly after our time together.
My teaching style is practical and encouraging. There are no silly questions, and we move at a pace that works for everyone. Some people are naturally confident with plants; others need more time. Both are welcome. The goal is that you leave feeling empowered with practical skills, not overwhelmed with theory.
On foraging walks, we cover approximately 2-3 miles at a gentle pace with regular stops. You’ll learn to identify 15-20 edible plants, understand seasonal patterns, and practice ethical harvesting techniques. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and get hands-on practice.
In herbal remedy workshops, we work indoors with all materials and equipment provided. You’ll get hands-on experience with traditional preparation methods—making tinctures, infusing oils, crafting balms—and you’ll take home what you’ve created, along with the knowledge to make more.
What You’ll Learn With Me
Foraging Walks:
Herbal Remedy Workshops:
All experiences include:
Where We Forage
You might find yourself in:
Indoor workshops take place at accessible venues in Carlisle and surrounding areas, with full details provided upon booking. Each event listing shows the exact meeting point, terrain type, and what to expect. Some locations I return to seasonally so you can see how the same place transforms throughout the year.
Our walks and workshops take place across Cumbria, Northumberland, and the Scottish Borders. I choose locations based on what’s seasonally abundant and what will give you the most diverse learning experience.
Association of Foragers Membership
I’m proud to be a member of the Association of Foragers, the UK’s professional body for those who teach, guide, and promote responsible foraging. Membership means I’m held to high standards around:
Common Questions
Q: Are your workshops suitable for complete beginners?
A: Absolutely. Most of my walks and workshops are designed specifically for complete beginners with no prior foraging or herbalism experience. I teach all identification and preparation skills from scratch, with plenty of time for questions and hands-on practice.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: Events fill up quickly, especially seasonal favourites like spring wild garlic walks or elderflower workshops. I’d recommend booking as soon as you see something that appeals. You can view availability and book directly through the events page.
Q: What’s included in the workshop price?
A: Foraging walks include expert guidance, plant identification training, and take-home resources. Herbal remedy workshops include all plant materials, equipment, containers, and labels—everything you need to create and take home your own preparations. Full details are listed on each event page.
Q: Can children join the foraging walks?
A: Most of our public walks are designed for adults, but I occasionally run family-friendly sessions. Check individual event listings for age guidance, or contact me if you’d like to arrange a private family walk.
Q: Do you offer gift vouchers?
A: Yes! Foraging walks and herbal remedy workshops make wonderful gifts. Contact me to arrange a gift voucher for a specific event or a flexible voucher the recipient can use for any upcoming session.
Q: Do you offer one-to-one sessions?
A: Yes. The Ultimate Wild Retreat is a bespoke one-to-one or couples’ experience over a weekend, where we dive deep into foraging, wild food preparation, and preservation techniques. If you’re interested, get in touch via the contact page and we’ll discuss what would work best for you.
Ready to Start Foraging?
Whether you’re curious about the plants growing in your local hedgerows, want to create your own herbal preparations, or simply fancy spending time outdoors learning something new, I’d love to guide you.
Most of our walks and workshops are designed for complete beginners, though intermediates often join to deepen their knowledge or discover new locations.