Wild Food Foraging Walks.

(Avon Gorge, Bristol; Hampstead Heath, London)

Guided walks exploring, identifying and foraging edible plants, trees & fungi.

Led by forager and organic vegetable grower Heath Bunting.

Bunting is a well-known figure in the foraging community, particularly in the 
United Kingdom. He leads foraging walks in areas such as Hampstead Heath in 
London and the Avon Gorge in Bristol. Bunting is not only a forager and an 
organic vegetable grower but also an artist and survival guide, who has been 
organizing these foraging events for over 20 years. His walks focus on 
identifying and foraging wild edible plants, touching upon aspects like 
bush-craft survival skills, medicinal plants, wild soaps, cultivation 
techniques, indigenous human habitats, poisonous plants, food processing, and 
preservation.

These foraging sessions are tailored to small groups, with an optimal size of 8 
people, and are suitable for all ages, with children able to attend for free. 
Participants are advised to wear seasonal clothing and have moderate fitness 
levels. Dogs are also welcome on these walks. Bunting's events often cover 
topics like seed collection, resowing, taking and replanting cuttings offering 
a comprehensive look at the sustainable use of natural resources.

For those interested in attending one of Heath Bunting's foraging walks, events 
are typically scheduled throughout the year with bookings available via 
Eventbrite and Headfirst (Bristol)

Hampstead Heath.

Hampstead Heath, located in North London, is a remarkable natural 
expanse covering approximately 320 hectares (790 acres). Its geology and 
ecology are intertwined, creating a diverse landscape that has 
captivated visitors and scientists alike.

Geology

Hampstead Heath sits atop a ridge of London Clay, overlain by a variety 
of superficial deposits that give it its distinctive topography. The 
area's geology is primarily shaped by the following components:

London Clay: This is the foundational layer, a sedimentary deposit from 
the Eocene epoch (about 56-34 million years ago). It's a stiff, 
bluish-gray clay that weathers to brown and is relatively impermeable, 
influencing local water retention and soil characteristics.

Bagshot Sands: Overlying the London Clay in parts of the Heath are the 
Bagshot Sands, a younger Eocene formation. These sands are loose, 
well-drained, and contribute to the Heath's higher, drier elevations, 
such as the sandy ridges near Parliament Hill (98 meters above sea 
level, one of London's highest points). The sands erode easily, shaping 
the undulating terrain.

Glacial and Fluvial Deposits: During the Pleistocene, ice sheets didn't 
reach London, but periglacial processes left behind gravelly and sandy 
deposits. These are evident in areas like the Hampstead Ponds, where 
gravel layers cap the clay. River action from ancient tributaries of the 
Thames also sculpted the landscape, creating valleys and slopes.

Springs and Ponds: The interface between the permeable Bagshot Sands and 
impermeable London Clay generates natural springs, feeding the Heath's 
famous ponds (e.g., Hampstead and Highgate Ponds). These water bodies 
are a direct result of geological stratification and have been modified 
by human intervention over centuries for ornamental and practical 
purposes.

The Heath's elevation and varied geology provide sweeping views of 
London, a result of its position on the northern edge of the London 
Basin.

Ecology

Hampstead Heath's ecological diversity stems from its geological 
foundation, microclimates, and historical land management. It 
encompasses woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and heathlands, supporting 
a rich array of flora and fauna.

Heathland: True to its name, the Heath features areas of acidic, 
nutrient-poor soils derived from the Bagshot Sands, fostering heathland 
vegetation like gorse (Ulex europaeus), heather (Calluna vulgaris), and 
bracken (Pteridium aquilinum). These open habitats are rare in urban 
settings and are actively maintained to prevent woodland encroachment.

Woodlands: Ancient woodlands, dominated by oak (Quercus robur), beech 
(Fagus sylvatica), and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), thrive on the 
clay-rich soils. Some trees date back centuries, remnants of the 
medieval Forest of Middlesex. These woods host fungi, lichens, and 
mosses, thriving in the shaded, moist conditions.

Grasslands: Neutral and acidic grasslands cover large swathes of the 
Heath, supporting wildflowers like buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), daisies 
(Bellis perennis), and rare orchids in certain pockets. These areas are 
grazed or mown to maintain biodiversity, attracting insects like 
butterflies and bees.

Wetlands and Ponds: The ponds and boggy areas, fed by springs, are 
ecological hotspots. Species like the common frog (Rana temporaria), 
smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), and dragonflies flourish here. 
Aquatic plants such as water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) and reeds 
(Phragmites australis) stabilize the water's edge, while kingfishers 
(Alcedo atthis) and herons (Ardea cinerea) are frequent visitors.

Wildlife: Beyond amphibians and birds, the Heath supports mammals like 
foxes (Vulpes vulpes), hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), and bats (e.g., 
pipistrelle species). Its proximity to urban London makes it a vital 
refuge for these species. Over 180 bird species have been recorded, 
including tawny owls (Strix aluco) and kestrels (Falco tinnunculus).

Human Influence

The Heath's ecology is not entirely natural; it's a semi-managed 
landscape. Historical practices like coppicing, grazing, and 
pond-digging (some ponds date to the 17th century for water supply) have 
shaped its current state. The City of London Corporation, which manages 
the Heath, balances conservation with public access, controlling 
invasive species and maintaining habitats.

Summary

Geologically, Hampstead Heath is a showcase of London's layered 
past London Clay, Bagshot Sands, and glacial relics create a varied 
terrain of hills, springs, and valleys. Ecologically, it's a mosaic of 
rare heathland, ancient woods, and vibrant wetlands, supporting an 
impressive range of life for an urban-adjacent space. Its preservation 
reflects both natural resilience and careful stewardship.

The Avon Gorge.

The Avon Gorge, located near Bristol, England, is a remarkable natural 
feature renowned for its geology and ecology.

Geology

The Avon Gorge is a 1.5-mile (2.5 km) long limestone canyon carved by 
the River Avon through a ridge primarily composed of Carboniferous 
Limestone, with some sandstone layers. This limestone formed 
approximately 350 million years ago in shallow tropical seas, as 
evidenced by the fossil shells and corals embedded within it. The 
gorge's dramatic scenery spans over 300 million years of geological 
history, showcasing exposed Carboniferous rock over a relatively small 
area, making it a significant site for studying this period.

The formation of the gorge itself is tied to events during the last Ice 
Age. Bristol lay at the southern edge of glaciation, and it's 
hypothesized that ice blocked the River Avon's original southwestern 
route through Ashton Vale toward Weston-super-Mare. This forced the 
river to cut a new path through the limestone, eroding it over thousands 
of years into the steep-sided gorge we see today. The process left a 
70-million-year unconformity a gap in the geological record between the 
Carboniferous Limestone and the overlying Triassic Dolomitic 
Conglomerate, visible along Bridge Valley Road. This red conglomerate 
reflects a desert-like climate 220 million years ago when Britain was 
20-30° north of the equator.

The gorge is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 
and a Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site (RIGS) 
due to its exceptional exposures of Carboniferous Limestone and its 
value for education and research. Caves, such as the blocked Observatory 
Hill Cave, also dot the gorge, formed by water dissolving the limestone 
over time.

Ecology

The Avon Gorge's unique geology supports a rich and diverse ecosystem, 
earning it recognition as a biological SSSI and a potential Special Area 
of Conservation under the European Habitats Directive. Its steep 
limestone cliffs, carboniferous limestone soils, and microclimate about 
1°C warmer than surrounding areas due to its southwest-facing slopes and 
shelter from prevailing winds create ideal conditions for rare flora and 
fauna.

The gorge hosts 24 rare plant species, including Bristol rock-cress, 
spiked speedwell, and Bristol onion, as well as two trees unique to the 
area: the Bristol and Wilmott's whitebeams. Other notable plants include 
green-flowered helleborine, fly orchid, bee orchid, and their hybrid, 
with historical records of lady orchid in Nightingale Valley (though its 
origin is debated). The limestone soils and sunny cliffs support these 
species, many of which thrive in the wildflower-rich grasslands 
maintained by conservation efforts, such as scrub control and grazing by 
goats in areas like the Gully.

Faunal diversity is equally impressive. The steep gorge walls provide 
nesting sites for peregrine falcons, which returned in 1990 after a 
decline and now breed regularly, preying on abundant pigeons and gulls. 
The uplift created on warm days aids birds of prey in hunting. Large 
populations of jackdaws and horseshoe bats inhabit the caves and bridge 
buttresses, while the surrounding Leigh Woods (a National Nature 
Reserve) and Clifton Downs harbor oak, ash, and small-leaf lime forests, 
teeming with bluebells and wood anemones in spring.

Conservation and Significance

Spanning 155.4 hectares (384 acres), the Avon Gorge and its woodlands 
are managed by a partnership including Bristol City Council, the 
National Trust, and others to balance ecological preservation with 
recreational use, such as rock climbing. Its designation as an SSSI 
since 1952 underscores its importance as one of southwest England's 
premier sites for wildlife and geology, with ongoing monitoring and 
research informing conservation strategies.

In summary, the Avon Gorge is a geological marvel shaped by ancient seas 
and ice-age river dynamics, fostering a unique ecological niche that 
supports rare species and attracts scientific and public interest alike. 
Its proximity to Bristol, framed by the iconic Clifton Suspension 
Bridge, only enhances its status as a natural and cultural treasure.