Hedgerow foraging in Britain is one of the most accessible and safe forms of foraging, making it a perfect entry-point to the world of wild foods. However, as idyllic an activity as foraging might seem, it can be intimidating for newbies, and understandably so! Not only may you feel unsure about how, when and where to find the most delicious berries, but most importantly, you’ll want to know how to tell them apart from their dangerous doppelgangers!

We’ve put together a guide to answer all of the questions you may have about late-summer hedgerow foraging.

Many hedgerows will blossom from May to July, with berries following the flowers and appearing in August. They tend to reach their peak ripeness in mid-August. Some may appear on hedgerows in July, but be wary, as they can be unpleasantly bitter until they are completely ripe! Most hedgerow berries will stay at their best until late-September, so make sure you catch them in their prime window.

One of the most beautiful things about hedgerow berries is that they can be found almost anywhere in the UK, from winding country lanes, to the biggest cities. This is why so many of us will have fond childhood memories of popping blackberries into our mouths straight from the hedgerow, regardless of where we grew up.

Keen foragers know that berry hedgerows grow best in well-drained soil, in sunny areas, with partial shade, and that they’re pretty adaptable. For these reasons, it’s unsurprising that they can thrive even in a city environment. They grow in fields and public parks, but they’re also commonly found in areas allowed to run slightly wild - like car parks, overgrown churchyards and empty lots.

These are our nine basic rules for hedgerow foraging:

1. Wear gardening gloves when foraging in thorny hedgerows like blackberry bushes to avoid cuts and scrapes.

2. Don’t pick below your knee line, where foxes, dogs and other animals may have been.

3. Don’t pick near busy roadsides or railway tracks. This can be dangerous and the berry’s flavours can be tainted with fumes from cars and trains.

4. Some hedgerow berries have dangerous doppelgangers that can make you ill, and some are incredibly poisonous. So never pick a berry to eat until you’ve done thorough research. Always use a foraging app or guidebook to ensure you are definitely picking the berries you think you’re picking!

5. Although it’s tempting to collect tubs and tubs of berries when you find a good foraging spot, don’t pick too many from one bush. Birds and small animals need some of these high sugar berries too, to survive over the winter.

6. Don’t cause unnecessary damage to the bush by cutting off branches or trampling on them. We want them to stay strong enough to survive the winter and reemerge next summer, after all! Plus, these bushes are important for our ecosystem, as many major pollinators are drawn to them.

7. Although there may be berries on hedgerows from late June - July onwards, patience is a virtue when it comes to hedgerow foraging. Avoid under-ripe redder-coloured berries, which are extremely sour. If you eat too many under-ripe berries, it can cause severe stomach pain and mouth ulcers.

8. Always wash berries thoroughly when you get home, under running water, to remove mites and hedgerow spiders that could be living on them.

9. Always make sure you’re not picking berries from private land.