From Forage to Feast

From Forage to Feast

Prehistoric Food and Ancient Cooking Workshop

By Railway Land Wildlife Trust

Date and time

Location

Linklater Pavilion, Railway Lane

Railway Lane Lewes BN7 2FG United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 30 days before event.

About this event

  • Event lasts 6 hours

What did our ancestors eat? How did they prepare and cook their food?

Join us in this engaging hands-on day as we journey back in time to explore answers to these questions. We will ‘travel’ from the Mesolithic, 10,000 years ago, through to the Iron Age, in the centuries before Roman times. We will consider the archaeological evidence, and what we know about the landscape during these times, as well as today's habitats.

Based in our lovely woodland, we will introduce the archaeological evidence, and lead you through a series of practical activities to identify, process and cook a variety of foods. Our day will culminate in the opportunity to sample a variety of dishes prepared during the day. Much of the day will be centred around plant foods, but as animal produce forms a significant part of the picture, some animal products will be prepared - these will be in a separate space, providing optional tasting.

The day will be led by Tristan Bareham - an engaing facilitator with a wealth of knowledge and over 35 years’ experience experimenting with and teaching about the archaeological crafts of prehistoric Sussex. Co-leading will be Milly Hawkins, who has over 15 years’ experience leading practical foraging workshops from a prehistoric perspective. Milly is also Head of Community Learning at the Railway Land Wildlife Trust.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my children?

This is part of our adult learning so the day is open to those over 18, or over 16 if accompanied by a paying adult. We offer loads for children and young people including our young people's programmes: NatureLinks and Junior Rangers, so do check those out on our website!

What if it rains?

We will be based in our woodland for the day, and if rain is forecast we will put up suitable shelter. We also have the opportunity of using the education space at the Linklater Pavilion. If dangerous winds or torrential rain is forecast we will look to rescheduling the day.

How do I get there?

The Linklater Pavilion is near train and bus routes. All day car parks are on North / Brook Street, or at the station, and free parking is on town edges 15 minute walk away. If you have mobility issues we may be able to offer one of our very limited spaces, but this must be pre arranged with us.

I've got dietary preferences or food allergies. can I attend?

Please drop us a line if you have significant food allergies. Much of the day will focus on plant foods and our connection with the landscape. Some animal products will be cooked (on a separate fire), so if you are vegetarian / vegan, there will be plenty for you too!

I have further questions about the day, who can I ask?

Any other queries about the day, please email Milly at education@railwaylandproject.org

Tags

Organized by

Railway Land Wildlife Trust

At the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, we believe that looking through the lens of nature transforms how we understand, engage with and care for the natural world.

By respecting and working with natural processes, we create spaces where people feel deeply connected to the ecosystems around them. Through mindful exploration, dynamic conservation and community-led projects, we offer enriching ways for people to experience and support the environment in lasting, meaningful ways.

We do this through:

Advocating for nature: We work boldly to promote the voice of wildlife. We celebrate the many ways people experience and understand the natural world. Each connection, no matter how it’s formed, strengthens our collective appreciation for nature and our responsibility to protect it.

Creating pathways: We offer both tangible paths — across green spaces and natural habitats—and intangible ones, guiding personal journeys with nature that adapt to every stage of life.

Collaborating to amplify impact: We believe in partnerships and collective efforts. By working with others — from individuals, and grassroots organisations to statutory bodies — we ensure that our collective impact is greater than the sum of our parts.

Pioneering approaches for broader change: As a test bed for innovative land management and nature-centred thinking, we explore ideas that can inspire and be scaled by others. Our vision is to make the Railway Land a model for how people and nature can thrive together—locally and beyond.

£85Sep 27 · 10:00 AM GMT+1