A weekend of wild and forgotten food at Hampshire venue

Nestled in the heart of the New Forest Burley Manor is hosting a spring weekend of events including foraging, wild and forgotten foods and exciting activities.

As well as an idyllic setting for a romantic wedding, the Grade II listed venue boasts luxury rooms and a slow food Mediterranean restaurant overseen by executive chef James Forman and head chef Ben Johnson.

To celebrate James' slow food ethos and passion for provenance, Burley Manor and Slow Food UK have created the spring weekend beginning on Saturday 6th April with a workshop on how to grow your own mushrooms with Italian Chef Claudio Bincoletto, an expert on wild food and master forager.

Claudio will teach guests about the lifecycle of a fungus, how to grow a variety of species at home using hardwood logs and the joys of picking edible fungi. In the evening, guests can enjoy a five-course Mediterranean-style menu, designed by James using ingredients chosen from Burley Manor's favourite local suppliers.

After dinner, Shane Holland, executive chairman of Slow Food, James and Claudio, will host talks on the importance of local foods and preservation of traditional cuisine.

On Sunday 7th April, Claudio will guide guests through the New Forest's wild plants, fruit and fungi and explore some of the lesser-known free growing edible foods on an hour-long forage. After the walk, guests will experience an outdoor cooking demonstration using wild ingredients, followed by a three-course lunch inspired by the walk's discoveries. Highlights feature Sopley asparagus and sumac soup, grilled Solent plaice with Morecambe Bay shrimp and Jersey royal potato risotto with Hampshire watercress.

For guests looking to extend their time at Burley Manor, a Slow Food weekend retreat two-night stay is available between Saturday 6th to Monday 8th April, including tickets to all three events over the weekend.

James says, “We are delighted to collaborate with Slow Food in celebrating the stunning natural bounty of the New Forest and beyond in the most beautiful seasons. At Burley, we are passionate about using sustainable local ingredients and protecting the heritage and traditions of our area. This weekend is really a highlight of the Burley ethos and we are thrilled that guests can have a hands-on experience.”

 Burley Manor's grand Grade II listed exterior is combined with a home-away-from-home interior that marries old manor house charm with a contemporary, eclectic twist. With eight acres of gardens, an outdoor pool, two Mediterranean-inspired treatment rooms and views over an adjoining red deer sanctuary, it's an idyllic place for a wedding. The Barn, a stylish addition to the manor, provides a rustic big-day backdrop with beamed, vaulted ceilings and two working fireplaces.