Herb Walks
Herb Walks are an opportunity to go for a walk, usually in the South Lakes area, with a local herbalist. Booking is essential because I like to keep the numbers to about 10, any more than this and it becomes difficult for everyone to see and hear what's going on. Wear walking boots and bring wet weather gear plus a drink and sandwiches. Sometimes we will be able to sample some of the plants as we walk - bring some bead and butter for this purpose. (or similar).
Always phone a couple of hours before the start of the walk if you are unsure about the weather, I will walk in a light drizzle but nothing heavier than this - you just can't see the herbs in driving rain. Obviously all walks are undertaken at your own risk. I've been guiding herb walks for over 5 years and I haven't lost anyone yet, but you need to be realistic about the level of walking you can manage.
For example there was alot of interest in the Hamps Fell walk from Mothers and Toddlers as well as older walkers, what I've done is to offer an alternative walk to the younger people. If you have an area local to you that you would like to know more about from a plant perspective I am happy to come out and walk with you.
I usually make a small charge of £5 per person to cover my travelling costs. I normally do any arranged walk 2 or 3 times before the event to ensure that I am familiar with the plants as well as the route, getting lost is only exciting for the first 5 minutes.
These walks range from the limestone hills of Hamps Fell - an interesting spring walk with a large variety of wild plants especially in a meadow which has never been cutivated or artificially fertilized. This is a 2 - 3 hour walk with an initial steep climb and uneven terrain over limestone pavements for some of the route.
Beacon Tarn and Fell - 3 - 3.5 hours, quite a different walk over boggy peaty ground with some gentle climbing involved. The plants on this walk all enjoy acid conditions, there is an impressive display of bog bean in some of the pools around the tarn. This is a good walk for a hot day, the fells usually find a breeze from some where and a swim in the tarn will also help to cool you off - it's not as cold as you might think.
Always phone a couple of hours before the start of the walk if you are unsure about the weather, I will walk in a light drizzle but nothing heavier than this - you just can't see the herbs in driving rain. Obviously all walks are undertaken at your own risk. I've been guiding herb walks for over 5 years and I haven't lost anyone yet, but you need to be realistic about the level of walking you can manage.
For example there was alot of interest in the Hamps Fell walk from Mothers and Toddlers as well as older walkers, what I've done is to offer an alternative walk to the younger people. If you have an area local to you that you would like to know more about from a plant perspective I am happy to come out and walk with you.
I usually make a small charge of £5 per person to cover my travelling costs. I normally do any arranged walk 2 or 3 times before the event to ensure that I am familiar with the plants as well as the route, getting lost is only exciting for the first 5 minutes.
These walks range from the limestone hills of Hamps Fell - an interesting spring walk with a large variety of wild plants especially in a meadow which has never been cutivated or artificially fertilized. This is a 2 - 3 hour walk with an initial steep climb and uneven terrain over limestone pavements for some of the route.
Beacon Tarn and Fell - 3 - 3.5 hours, quite a different walk over boggy peaty ground with some gentle climbing involved. The plants on this walk all enjoy acid conditions, there is an impressive display of bog bean in some of the pools around the tarn. This is a good walk for a hot day, the fells usually find a breeze from some where and a swim in the tarn will also help to cool you off - it's not as cold as you might think.