Rush Foraging Baskets

Two courses in 2025:

May 10 (Saturday)
August 23 (Saturday)

10.30am – 5pm

£140

Venue: open air woodland setting in a 70 acre ancient coppiced wood on a family-run working farm: peaceful and beautiful Dernwood Farm Nr Heathfield, East Sussex.

Spend a day in the woods round a camp fire making one of these popular and beautiful foraging basket using true English rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris). These tactile foraging baskets are my own original design, made so that they hang across the body. They’re particularly suited to gathering berries, nuts, small mushrooms… and other treasure you might find on your wanderings.

Open For Booking Soon, Register Your Interest

I loved being out in nature, sitting around a fire…it was all really relaxed. I was very skilfully tutored and encouraged, met some lovely people, ate delicious food and had a great time! I left the woods relaxed and happy at the end of the day, and also came away with a very useful basket and a restored faith in my abilities! Anne L, Sussex

Accommodation: camping is available at the farm venue and full details about this will be sent to you when you book on the course. The farm also has glamping options, including cosy bell tents and cabins with wood-burners. The cost of staying at the farm is not included in the course. Read more about onsite and offsite accommodation options.

Follow-on courses: Reed Mace Baskets, Looped Rush Bags, Rush & Wild Rose Baskets, Rush Bags

You can read FAQs here.

See you in the woods!

‘Weekend’ Offer #1: make a ‘weekend’ of it by booking Brushes & Whisks (May 9) and Rush Foraging Baskets (May 10) together for £255

‘Weekend’ Offer #2: make a ‘weekend’ of it by booking Rush & Rose Baskets (Aug 22) and Rush Foraging Baskets (Aug 23) together for £255

English rush is a lovely material to work with, a native plant with a long history of use in basket making. It’s particularly suited to beginners, but those with previous experience can develop and consolidate existing skills.

Suitable for all levels including beginners. Groups are kept small to allow for individual attention.

A simple but hearty vegetarian lunch is provided, we’ll have have a kettle on the camp fire, plus a huge tarp on hand for cover in case we need it. I aim to offer you a satisfying learning experience as well as an enjoyable time away from it all. To support you in getting the most from the day, we’ll connect to the woodland surroundings through a short and simple, guided mindfulness-based practice.