Picking Parasols & Field mushrooms in London

[kimsha]

Hello, being a vegetarian, i simply love the substitute meaty rich taste of wild field, parasol & shaggy ink caps. I found some near the Dorset coastline last year & was hooked! The problem however, is that I live in London, & have no idea where to pick these varieties specifically. I went to Hampstead Heath this morning, in the hope of finding some following the bout of rain we had, but no joy whatsoever. Any suggestions, even if it would mean travelling to the outskirts of the city, would be appreciated! Many thanks.

[Chris Yeates]

hi

I suspect that people who have found good sites may be slightly reluctant (understandably) to share them . . . .

best wishes

Chris

[fairplay]

Having conducted 2 forays today, in my opinion we still need lots, lots more rain to get things really moving.

Fungi counts are still very low.

Neil. (Suffolk area)

[Freespirit9]

Hello Everyone
I have just joined and would like to know more about ''sensible'' and ''permitted'' Mushroon picking around London.
I am also open to joining organised forays.
Thanks
Happy Sunday

[TeresaW]

I'll agree with Neil on the rain situation. In East Anglia there have been drought conditions which has clearly inhibited the growth of fungi normally seen at this time. Only in the dampest areas have I seen anything growing at ground level. On the nearby field which acts as a floodplain, and has natural ponds (empty and dry) and dozens of related wildflowers, there's not a mushroom in sight. The ground is dampish, but still hard.

I wonder if further north they are enjoying crops, they seem to have had much more rain than in the south east.

[Nick_in_Scotland]

Originally Posted by TeresaW

I wonder if further north they are enjoying crops, they seem to have had much more rain than in the south east.

Things have been a bit better up here but it's not been a great year for mushrooms. We had a lot of rain in late August, which usually bodes well, but little rain after this and it seems to have been very local this year. One forest gave me wet feet but another explored the next day only 50 miles away was quite dry. I would characterise last year's season as being early- I found loads of ceps for instance in August but much less in later months. This year's season has been mediocre all the way through.

At least it's not been as bad as 2007.... that was a terrible year.

[loripo]

Check online for fungi forays in Sydenham Hill Woods, my daughter used to go there. No idea what you might find tho...

[kimsha]

thanks loripo! your reply is very helpful