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Events and attractions
UK Fungus Day events are happening across the UK on or around 5 October 2024. There are so many ways to get involved including public garden and museum visits, universities showcasing fungal science, fungus-finding walks, activities in schools and displays of fungal art.
EAST ENGLAND
Fungi Field Day at Cambridge University Botanic Garden
28 September 2024, 10:00 - 16:00
Highlights include a range of talks on fungi and their interaction with plants, science outreach stall with microscopes to view fungi that leave deep inside plant roots, fungi art adventures, guided fungal forays around the Garden, fungi crafts, games and face painting.
Free with normal garden admission. Note: Children's tickets need to be booked in advance.
Find out more information.
EAST ENGLAND
Clay Mini Mushroom Workshop at Wildlife Trust Great Fen
5 October 2024, 10:00 - 13:00
Clay Mini Mushroom Workshop with artist and sculptor Kathryn Parsons for UK Fungus Day. In this wonderful workshop you will learn how to create your own miniature sculptures from air drying clay, inspired by mushrooms and lichens. Starting with a guided walk around the beautiful Ramsey Heights nature reserve, we will look for the fungi growing here to inspire your pieces. Working in our classroom, Kathryn will share creative techniques that will help you make beautiful, individual pieces including how to texture, shape, model and join the clay to produce your desired design. Your pieces can be taken straight home with you and you can paint them at home once they're dried if you wish.
Beds, Cambs, Northants Wildlife Trust Members £40, Non-members £50 (plus Eventbrite booking fee).
Book here.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Fungus Foray at Harcourt Arboretum
6 October 2024, 13:15 - 16:00
Join us at Harcourt Arboretum as we go in search of fascinating fungi. Learn more about the rich diversity of fungi native to our countryside and gardens, and about the crucial role they play in the ecosystem. The evnet includes a Talk at 13:15, followed by a Foray Walk at 14:00 - 16:00.
Taking place at Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay, OX44 9PX.
This event is included with your Arboretum entry ticket; you may book your ticket in advance but this is not required: www.obga.ox.ac.uk/whats-on
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SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Fungus Heroes and Villains Children's Trail on HMS Victory
5 October - 3 November 2024
To celebrate UK Fungus Day there will be a family friendly trail on-board Victory Live: The Big Repair project. Search for our ‘Heroes and Villians’ themed fungi which have been hidden across the scaffolding viewing platforms. Learn about their roles and how they connect to this once-in-a-lifetime conservation project onboard HMS Victory. You will need to buy a ticket to 'Victory Live: The Big Repair' to take part, here.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Hampshire Fungus Recording Group event at
Blackwater Arboretum
6 October 2024, 10:00 - 15:00
Join members of Hampshire Fungus Recording Group for a fungus walk and learn about the fungi we find on the site. Taking place at Blackwater Arboretum, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire, Postcode (nearest) : SO42 7QB.
Entry free. Send email to hampshirefungusrecordinggroup@gmail.com to book a place.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Funky Fungi Foray at Winkworth Aboretum
5 October 2024, 10:30 - 12:30
Explore the arboretum with your fungi guide Sara, who will lead you through all the different genus found at Winkworth. Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for children and must be booked in advance here.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Fungi photographic workshop with Wild New Forest Guided Tours
5 October 2024, 10:00 - 14:00
This photographic workshop is taking place at Eyeworth Pond, New Forest, Hampshire. On this walk we will explore high-quality ancient woodland looking for different species of fungi. Using macro features (we don't pick any fungi on our tours) we will identify as many as possible while exploring the often unique and bizarre ecology of each species. The walk is taken at a leisurely pace ensuring we have enough time to focus on and photograph each species observed.
Entry fee is £40 for 4 hour fungi photo workshop, further details and book at www.wildnewforest.co.uk
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Fungi Festival at Emmetts Garden
11 October - 3 November 2024
The Fungi Festival returns to Emmetts Garden, Sevenoaks, Kent on 11 October to 3 November 2024, inspired by the amazing array of weird and wonderful fungi found at Emmetts Garden. Delight in the unique mushroom wares for sale at the Fungi Fair craft market, discover the fascinating secrets of fungi in expert-led talks, take part in creative workshops and join in the fungi fun for families throughout the festival and during half term.
National Trust membership or entry fees apply. Pre-booking required for talks and workshops, see the website for dates, times, prices and more information.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Identifying Fabulous Fungi at Nower Wood Educational Nature Reserve
18 October 2024, 10:00 - 15:00
Learn how to find and identify a multitude of fungi living in local woodland. Local woodland and fungi experts, Roger Granby and Dick Alder, will spend the morning in the classroom while in the afternoon they will take you outside to hunt for different fungi species.
A Surrey Wildlife Trust event at Nower Wood Educational Nature Reserve, Mill Way, Leatherhead, KT22 8QA.
Surrey Wildlife Trust members £45, non-members £60.
Book here.
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SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Majestic Mushroom Art
19 October 2024, 10:30 - 15:30
Combine your interest in art and the natural world by learning to capture the variety of colours, shapes and textures of woodland fungi using pencils, pastels, watercolours and inks. Join experienced Artist-teacher Ellie Green, for a one-day course exploring the magic of the mushrooms that can be found in the Surrey Hills.
The day will begin with a walk around the ancient woodland site – hunting for fungi and taking photos to be used as inspiration for drawing and painting. Ellie will then share some beginner-friendly techniques for sketching a wide range of mushroom shapes. She’ll also show you how to make spore prints of some of the fungi collected on our walk. Following this, you’ll learn how to work with inks and watercolours to enhance the unique appearance of fungi in your art.
A Surrey Wildlife Trust event at Nower Wood Educational Nature Reserve, Mill Way, Leatherhead, KT22 8QA.
Surrey Wildlife Trust members £75, non-members £90.
Book here.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Moulds, Mushrooms and Medicine: Our lifelong relationship with fungi
16 October 2024, 19:30 - 21:30
Join mycologist, Nicholas Money, as he takes you on a tour of the marvellous unseen realm within us and also sheds light on our complicated relationship with fungi outside the body, from wild mushrooms and cultivated moulds that have been staples of the human diet for millennia to the controversial experimentation with magic mushrooms in the treatment of depression.
Nicholas Money will be 'In Conversation' with Clare Blencowe from Kew Gardens' Darwin Tree of Life Project and will also be signing copies of his latest book 'Moulds, Mushrooms & Medicine', which will be available for purchase on the night.
Taking place at The Walrus, 10 Ship Street, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1AD.
Cost £9.92 including Eventbrite fee. Book here.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Make Fungus
Glow Art!
5 October 2024, 11:00 - 16:00
In celebration of UK Fungus Day on 5 October, have some fun and make some glow art at Intra Arts! Draw fantastical fungi for a glow art installation, learn about mushroom identification, and see tiny features of fungi specimens projected large from a microscope. Your fungi-inspired glow art creations will feature in Intra Arts' gallery display during our Electric Medway Festival event, Nocturnal (which takes place on the evening of 26 October).
Free, drop-in workshop, at Intra Arts, 337-341 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1DA.
Find out more.
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SW ENGLAND
Stroud Valley Projects event at Crickley Hill Nature Reserve
5 October 2024, 10:30 - 13:00
Join Stroud Valleys Project and fungi enthusiast Tony Hardware on UK Fungus Day for a delve into the wonderful world of fungi at Crickley Hill. This event is in collaboration with the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Tickets cost £3 and need to be booked in advance, here.
SW ENGLAND
Devon Fungus Group - Decoy Country Park, Newton Abbot
6 October 2024
There will be a foray followed by a display and talk/discussion at Decoy Country Park, on Sunday 6th October. Numbers are limited. For more information contact David Farley.
SW ENGLAND
Cornwall Fungus Group - Lanhydrock National Trust, Bodmin
5 October 2024, 10:00 - 16:00
There will be a marquee opposite the National Trust cafe, with a display of fungi and information, a children's fungi hunt at 10:30 - 12:30 (children must be accompanied by an adult), and a foray for all 13:30 - 15:30.
Booking required for the children's fungi hunt via email: cornwallfungusgroup@gmail.com
All events are free, and take place in the nearby woodland. Meet at the marquee! National Trust car park fees apply.
More information
SW ENGLAND
National Trust Trelissick foray
5 October 2024, 11:00 - 13:00
Help survey the grasslands at Trelissick parkland, opportunity to visit areas where you wouldn’t normally explore and identify and survey a range of grassland mushrooms including waxcaps and puffballs. Meeting point car park. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.
Spaces are free but please book in advance at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick
Car parking £6, free for National Trust members
SW ENGLAND
Walkie Talkie in Exeter City Centre
29 September 2024, 10:00 - 12:00
Mark Ramsdale from the University of Exeter will lead an exploration through the city centre of Exeter, looking at the interconnectedness between fungi and humanity.
Free but booking in advance required here.
SW ENGLAND
UK Fungus Day at the University of Bath
5 October 2024, 11:00 - 16:00
Join researchers at the University of Bath for a day filled with all things fungi, including a foray at the University, interactive exhibits, informative talks from mycologists, and some fun fungus-themed activities.
Free but book in advance here.
SW ENGLAND
Fungi walk at RSPB Nagshead
5 October 2024, 09:30 - 12:30
Join the Reserves team on UK Fungus Day for a guided walk around Nagshead nature reserve and learn about the weird and wonderful lives of fungi. Led by John Holden, an experienced recorder for the Forest of Dean Fungus Group and long-time volunteer at Nagshead nature reserve. Please note that this is not a foraging walk. Fees £5 to £11. Book here.
SW ENGLAND
Exhibition of hand-crafted ceramic mushrooms by Amanda Coldridge
From 15th September, for 2 months
An exclusive exhibition of hand-crafted ceramic mushrooms by Amanda Coldridge is on display (and available to purchase) at the Bamford Barn at Daylesford, GL56 0YG. Each piece in the collection reflects the delicate forms and organic textures found in the forest floor, blending earth mushrooms with the artist's keen eye for detail. Through her work, Amanda captures the essence of growth and transformation, inviting us to explore the quiet wonders that often go unnoticed.
Find out more.
WALES
Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network event at Blackpool Farm
5 October 2024, morning
Guided walk looking at woodland fungi at Blackpool Farm, Canaston Bridge, in association with the Bluestone National Park Resort. The walk will be led by Adam Pollard (PFRN) and Rob Mackeen (Bluestone Park Ranger). No entry fee. More details from David Harries.
WALES
Glamorgan Fungus Group event at Kenfig Nature Reserve
5 October 2024
There will be some displays of fungal information and specimens, and two forays on the day; one in the morning one in the afternoon. Entry is free. No need to book.
WALES
North Wales Wildlife Trust - Fungus Foray at Leadbrook Wood
6 October 2024, 11:00 - 15:00
Join this walk at Leadbrook Wood, near Northop, Flintshire, to see which fungi can be found, particularly looking for waxcaps. Donations welcome. Booking essential here.
WALES
Celebrate UK Fungus Day at the National Botanic Garden of Wales
5 October 2024
Join us on the 5th of October for a day dedicated to the fascinating world of fungi. Discover the hidden wonders of these incredible organisms through expert talks, guided tours, activities for all, and a display of some of the weird and wonderful fungal species found locally. The Botanic Garden offers the perfect setting to explore a variety of mushroom-friendly habitats, including woods, fields, meadows, lawns, and flower beds. You’ll encounter a rich diversity of fungal life, from the rare and colourful waxcaps to the peculiar and pungent stinkhorns. Whether you’re a seasoned mycologist or just curious, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Please note that you don’t have to pre-book, but standard admission charges apply.
Taking place at National Botanic Garden of Wales, Middleton Hall, Llanarthne, SA32 8HN.
Find out more.
WALES
Book Art Workshop with Kate Kato at Hay Castle
6 October 2024, 10:00 - 16:00
Learn how to make a work of art from the pages of recycled books, with celebrated paper artist Kate Kato, who uses discarded and recyled papers, wire and found objects to create sculptures inspired by the natural world. The theme of this event is the seasonally appropriate mushroom.
Taking place at Hay Castle, Oxford Road, Hay on Wye, HR3 5DG.
Cost £85 with booking required in advance.
Find out more.
CENTRAL ENGLAND
Nottinghamshire Fungus Group -
RSPB Edwinstowe (Sherwood National Nature Reserve)
5 October 2024
Display of information about fungi, table with fungi for people to look at, some activities for children and at least two walks in the NR to look for fungi. Entry is free but you have to sign up on the day to go on the walk as numbers are limited. There is charge for the car park unless you are a member of the RSPB. Numbers are limited. There is no charge for children's activities.
Find out more
CENTRAL ENGLAND
Shropshire Fungus Group - Foray on Llynclys Hill and Common, near Oswestry
5 October 2024, 10:30 - 15:00
Llynclys Hill and Common have a rich limestone environment that has woods, meadows, scrub, screes, old quarries, sunny glades, a pond and big skies. Its extraordinary mosaic of habitats makes it a fantastic place for wildlife, plants and fungi, including several species of waxcaps. At this event, there will be experienced members of Shropshire Fungus Group to help identify the fungus found. Places are limited - book via email: admin@shropshirefungusgroup.org - with your name and a contact phone number. All are welcome including children accompanied by adults though, unfortunately, it is not a suitable terrain for those with mobility issues.
CENTRAL ENGLAND
Warwickshire Fungus Group event at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre
5 October 2024
There will be a foray around the reserve and an indoor exhibition, at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Brandon Lane, Coventry, CV3 3GW. No need to book.
NORTH WEST ENGLAND
North West Fungus Group - Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve
5 October 2024
Family day out for UK Fungus Day with displays of fungi and three fungi walks around Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve of Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
Find out more
NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Mycelium Thinking CIC Cumbria event at Ford Park, Ulverston
5 October 2024, 11:00 - 11:45 and 14:00 - 14:45
We have two short community sessions as part of Ford Park Apple Day on 5th October. Led by directors Rema Grace and Dave Crossley, you can enjoy a mycelial inspired soundtrack and work together to spread the spores of Morel mushrooms in one of Ford Park's apple orchards.
Find the site behind the playpark on the main field (Not the other orchard across from the garden area).
Slot one: 11am-11.45am Slot two: 2pm-2.45pm. Same activity in both sessions but we're trialling two slightly different methods and playing different tracks.
This is a free drop-in activity.
NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Mycelium Thinking CIC Cumbria event at Allotment Soup
6 October 2024, 13:00 - 16:00
In celebration of UK Fungus Day, an afternoon of mushroom growing and performance at Allotment Soup with Art Gene. 1-2pm - Learn about the 'Garden of Sensory Delights': Add edible fungi to the plot we've been co-designing with people who identify as neurodivergent. 2-2.30pm - Morels and music: enjoy fungi inspired music whilst spreading Morel spores at the orchard. 2.35-3.35pm - Join the mush-club: Help us plug edible fungi logs to be donated to Art Gene and other community spaces. 3.40pm - Rema Grace and Dave Crossley final performance and participatory music-making in partnership with live plants & fungi. 4pm - End and welcome to enjoy refreshments and snacks provided by Art Gene before you leave.
Activities are free with optional donation.
Find out more here.
NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Lichen walk and talk at Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre
5 October 2024, 14:00 - 15:00
Find out about the lichens that grow in the forest with local lichen expert Peter Martin. The walk lasts about an hour and is organised by Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte group.
Free to attend.
Find out more.
NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Guided lichen walk at Allan Bank, Grasmere
6 October 2024, 11:00 and 14:00
Find out about the lichens that grow on trees and rocks around the property during this free 90 minute walk with local lichen expert Peter Martin. Organised by Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte group.
Free to attend the event, but National Trust membership fees apply.
Find out more.
NORTH EAST ENGLAND
Etal Fungi Festival, North Northumberland
19 and 20 October 2024, 10:00 - 16:30
A 2-day event including 4 forays (2 at 10:30 and 2 at 13:00), and fungi themed crafts for sale, a fresh fungi display, a display of wool dyed with fungi, fungi face painting, indoor fungi name trail, fungi themed quizzes and colouring for children, and bring along a mushroom for identification! Free of charge. Contact Sally Pattison at the Borders Fungus Group for more details.
NORTH EAST ENGLAND
North East Fungus Group event at Dobbies, Morpeth
5 October 2024, 10:00 - 16:00 and free foray on 6 October 10:00 - 12:00 and 12:30 - 14:30
On 5 October, join us at Dobbies, Morpeth between 10:00 and 16:00 to see examples of the mushrooms that grow locally, find out about fungi and bring your own fungus to get identified by experts! On 6 October we'll be running free forays at Pegswood Community Woodland from 10:00 to 12:00 and 12:30 to 14:30. Any queries contact Sally Pattison.
NORTH EAST ENGLAND
Fabulous Fungi: Library Talk and Garden Walk at RHS Garden Harlow Carr
8 October 2024, Morning and afternoon events
Led by the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group, the day starts with a fascinating talk, followed by an expert-led fungus foray to see what can be found in the beautiful gardens at RHS Harlow Carr.
11:00 - 11:30 and 13:30 - 14:00 Fabulous Fungi talk in the Library at RHS Harlow Carr, and 11:30 - 12:15 and 14:00 - 14:45 Fabulous Fungi foray through the gardens.
Free for members, and normal garden admission fee applies to non-members.
Book here.
NORTH ENGLAND
Event at the Tree Health Centre at The Yorkshire Arboretum
5 October 2024, 10:00 - 16:00
The Yorkshire Arboretum is joining in with British Mycological Society celebrations for UK Fungus Day with a range of interactive learning and activities in the Tree Health Centre. Learn about what foods in your cupboard wouldn’t exist without fungi, take a look at fungi under the microscope, find out about fungal pathogens we are concerned about and discover how fungal networks support our trees in the arboretum. Additional charged and bookable activities: Fungal Foray and Tree pathogen tour. More information.
NORTH ENGLAND
Sorby Fungus Group event at Shire Brook Valley Nature Reserve, Sheffield
5 October 2024, 11:00 - 15:00
At Shire Brook Valley Nature Reserve - Drop in between 11am and 3pm - Come and find out about the wonderful world of fungi with Sorby Fungus Group. We will be holding a family friendly drop-in event. The car park is just before the Visitor Centre, S13 7BR. There will be displays and information, activities, and freebies along with a few experts to answer questions. Self-guided fungus trail available to follow all day - just drop in and pick up a map. Guided walk at 1pm from the Visitor Centre. Free and no booking required.
Email fungi@sorby.org.uk with queries.
More information.
SCOTLAND
Scottish Borders Fungus Group event at Abbotsford House
5 October 2024
We will have a gazebo with literature about fungi and a mascot who will be dressed as a fungus interacting with the public. There will also be a child activity area where colouring in and play dough for making mushroom models. Free to enter and no booking required.
SCOTLAND
Edinburgh & Lothians Fungus Enthusiasts event at the Holyrood Park Education Centre
5 October 2024, 11:00 - 15:00
Edinburgh & Lothians Fungus Enthusiasts (ELFE) will be collaborating with some local groups to create a fungus themed room based at the Holyrood Park Education Centre, Edinburgh. Running from 11am until 3pm, the main room at the Holyrood Park Education Centre will have fungus displays open to the public and members of Historic Environment Scotland will also be present. Groups involved should include:
- Scottish Fungus Dye Group
- Edinburgh University Fungus Society
- As well as displays and short duration forays from ELFE
There is no need to book, just turn up on the day and please feel free to bring along friends and family
SCOTLAND
Grampian Fungus Group foray at the Old Wood of Drum, Drum Castle
5 October 2024, 10:30 - 15:30
This foray is taking place at the Old Wood of Drum, Drum Castle, National Trust for Scotland, Drumoak by Banchory Aberdeenshire AB31 5EY. We are not a foraging group but identify and record the fungi we find at each site visited and submit the records to Nesbrec the local records centre. All are welcome to join us for the day, see how we work and enjoy the beauty and wildlife of the old oak woods. Bring a picnic or come for part of the day.
Booking essential via hollywatt@aol.com.
National Trust car parking charges apply.
Through UK Fungus Day, the British Mycological Society shares the importance of fungi to our lives and aims to inspire others to help preserve our native fungi and improve our scientific knowledge of these unique and remarkable organisms.
Observing, collecting and growing fungi
The British Mycological Society is a scientific society supporting fungal research and conservation, and highlighting the fundamental importance fungi in the world's ecosystems.
Read our Code of Conduct for the responsible collection of fungi for research and education, and growing fungi at home.
Contact us:
British Mycological Society
Registered charity no. 276503
Email: sally@britmycolsoc.info
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