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A short wander around the car park introduced us to a wide variety of fungi, far more than expected. An early lunch due to the weather and then we drove to Knettisham Heath nature reserve where, in much better weather, we found many different species, including very rare ones. The leader, Su Gough, was very knowledgeable and a good communicator so we all learnt a lot. These day trips are an excellent way of seeing the wildlife of an area without all the hassle of long flights, etc, and with very low Covid risk. We have done other, overseas, holidays with Naturetrek in the past and will probably do so again when we become more comfortable with travel again.
P.S. Norfolk, Oct 21
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Fungi for Beginners on the Norfolk/Suffolk Border (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR130A day enjoying the gorgeous autumnal sights and smells of acid heath, grassland, coniferous and deciduous woodland as we gently explore, and learn about, this strange group of organisms!
1 days
from
£65
£65
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Thetford Forest dominates the Breckland area on the Suffolk/Norfolk border and is rich in a dazzling variety of mysterious fungi, numbers of which peak in autumn.
Join Su Gough, an experienced naturalist and enthusiastic fungus forayer, for a gentle exploration of the mix of acid heath, grassland, coniferous and deciduous woodland, enjoying the gorgeous autumnal sights and smells and learning about this strange group of organisms, focusing on the ones that can be identified in the field. The species likely to be encountered will depend a little on the weather conditions running up to the foray, but we will look for the truly strange Earthstars, Fly Agarics and Death Caps, puffballs and parasols, Blushers and Sickeners! We will also take our time to enjoy the other wildlife we might encounter such as migrating birds and late-season flowers, as well as touching on some of the incredible history of the area.
During the course of the day we will explore the King’s Forest, Knettishall Heath and Rishbeth Woods in Thetford Forest and, if time allows, Wretham Heath, driving the very short distances in between each site and taking our time to explore thoroughly. There will be plenty of opportunities for keen photographers, and we will cover around 5 miles on foot during the course of the day.
- A delightful autumnal day out aimed at those wishing to learn more about fungi
- Earthstars, Fly Agarics and Death Caps, puffballs and parasols, Blushers and Sickeners!
- Some late season flowers, plus some of the history of the area
- We will NOT be foraging/picking fungi on this trip
Day Trip Location
Reviews
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I was mildly curious in fungi before, but now I’m totally hooked thanks to the inspiring, thought provoking and extraordinarily well informed guided tour of the jewellery box that is the fungi world!
NS, London, October 2021 -
We both enjoyed the day trip very much. It was an ideal opportunity to learn something about fungi as we are total beginners. Su gauged the knowledge of the group very well and is clearly enthusiastic about fungi. She has expert knowledge as well and was able to identify virtually all the species found. This was a great day out and the weather was reasonably kind too. I think these day trips are a really good idea during this year of travel restrictions. This was my second one and I have booked two more for the winter and next spring.
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This was a day trip in Thetford Forest to learn about fungi. It was lovely to be outside and learning something new for the day. These trips are a real boon in this difficult year. Su was very enthusiastic, gauged the level of knowledge of the clients well and was really expert at spotting fungi we would never have seen. Looking forward to going on one of her trips next year.
D.L. Hertfordshire, Nov 20 -
Naturetrek's day trip fungi-hunting was amazing: Su Gough was incredibly knowledgeable, even with bird and insect identification thrown in free of charge! Su identified prior knowledge before we started, so she knew where to pitch her delivery. Considerate about our safety, comfort.
C.H. Norfolk, Oct 20 -
A great day trip on fungi of The Brecks for complete beginners. Our leader Su was able to show us how to identify fungi into families and then some into species, she discussed habitat requirements, timing and aging of the fungi. Su was patient and informative and we had a great day out. Su also identified birds and plants as we went round.
A.W. Bedfordshire, Oct 20 -
The fungi for beginners was excellent. G. and I enjoyed the day immensely and felt we had had a little holiday even though it was just a few hours out with an expert. Su was great, patient and informative and we both have learnt a great deal – whether we can retain it is another matter! Su introduced us to a number of fungi family and some fungi we identified to species. She explained habitat requirements, timings and the aging of fungi. She showed us her fungi library so we can take this taster session further. It was a great day out and we have lots of photos and notes to work through now the evenings are so much longer.
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 18th Oct – Sat 18th Oct
5
£65
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£65
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Su Gough
Tour Leader: Su Gough
Su has been leading Naturetrek holidays since 2002, concentrating mainly on botanical and general natural history ones in Europe. Su worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for 26 years as an ecologist, trainer and editor of their members’ publications. During that time, she wrote and narrated a series of more than 70 bird identification videos which are free to view on YouTube. She also wrote Birds of Brecks, a bird ID field guide published last year. In 2020, Su moved her focus and is now the Senior Media Officer for World Horse Welfare, an international charity based in Norfolk, which works across the full spectrum of the horse world to improve the horse-human partnership. Despite this mainly bird-centric career, she trained as a botanist and has a deep interest in all natural history, including insects, mammals and anything else!
Sun 19th Oct – Sun 19th Oct
5
£65
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£65
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Su Gough
Tour Leader: Su Gough
Su has been leading Naturetrek holidays since 2002, concentrating mainly on botanical and general natural history ones in Europe. Su worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for 26 years as an ecologist, trainer and editor of their members’ publications. During that time, she wrote and narrated a series of more than 70 bird identification videos which are free to view on YouTube. She also wrote Birds of Brecks, a bird ID field guide published last year. In 2020, Su moved her focus and is now the Senior Media Officer for World Horse Welfare, an international charity based in Norfolk, which works across the full spectrum of the horse world to improve the horse-human partnership. Despite this mainly bird-centric career, she trained as a botanist and has a deep interest in all natural history, including insects, mammals and anything else!
Sat 25th Oct – Sat 25th Oct
SPACES
£65
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£65
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Su Gough
Tour Leader: Su Gough
Su has been leading Naturetrek holidays since 2002, concentrating mainly on botanical and general natural history ones in Europe. Su worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for 26 years as an ecologist, trainer and editor of their members’ publications. During that time, she wrote and narrated a series of more than 70 bird identification videos which are free to view on YouTube. She also wrote Birds of Brecks, a bird ID field guide published last year. In 2020, Su moved her focus and is now the Senior Media Officer for World Horse Welfare, an international charity based in Norfolk, which works across the full spectrum of the horse world to improve the horse-human partnership. Despite this mainly bird-centric career, she trained as a botanist and has a deep interest in all natural history, including insects, mammals and anything else!
Sun 26th Oct – Sun 26th Oct
6
£65
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£65
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Su Gough
Tour Leader: Su Gough
Su has been leading Naturetrek holidays since 2002, concentrating mainly on botanical and general natural history ones in Europe. Su worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for 26 years as an ecologist, trainer and editor of their members’ publications. During that time, she wrote and narrated a series of more than 70 bird identification videos which are free to view on YouTube. She also wrote Birds of Brecks, a bird ID field guide published last year. In 2020, Su moved her focus and is now the Senior Media Officer for World Horse Welfare, an international charity based in Norfolk, which works across the full spectrum of the horse world to improve the horse-human partnership. Despite this mainly bird-centric career, she trained as a botanist and has a deep interest in all natural history, including insects, mammals and anything else!
Sat 1st Nov – Sat 1st Nov
SPACES
£65
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£65
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Su Gough
Tour Leader: Su Gough
Su has been leading Naturetrek holidays since 2002, concentrating mainly on botanical and general natural history ones in Europe. Su worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for 26 years as an ecologist, trainer and editor of their members’ publications. During that time, she wrote and narrated a series of more than 70 bird identification videos which are free to view on YouTube. She also wrote Birds of Brecks, a bird ID field guide published last year. In 2020, Su moved her focus and is now the Senior Media Officer for World Horse Welfare, an international charity based in Norfolk, which works across the full spectrum of the horse world to improve the horse-human partnership. Despite this mainly bird-centric career, she trained as a botanist and has a deep interest in all natural history, including insects, mammals and anything else!
Sun 2nd Nov – Sun 2nd Nov
5
£65
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£65
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Su Gough
Tour Leader: Su Gough
Su has been leading Naturetrek holidays since 2002, concentrating mainly on botanical and general natural history ones in Europe. Su worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for 26 years as an ecologist, trainer and editor of their members’ publications. During that time, she wrote and narrated a series of more than 70 bird identification videos which are free to view on YouTube. She also wrote Birds of Brecks, a bird ID field guide published last year. In 2020, Su moved her focus and is now the Senior Media Officer for World Horse Welfare, an international charity based in Norfolk, which works across the full spectrum of the horse world to improve the horse-human partnership. Despite this mainly bird-centric career, she trained as a botanist and has a deep interest in all natural history, including insects, mammals and anything else!
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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