Oh, how wonderful blackberries are! A super special late summer/autumn treat that the hedgerows grant us.
Blackberries are one of the most recognisable and rewarding wild fruits. Found across the UK in hedgerows, woodland edges and even urban paths, they require minimal foraging effort and provide maximum flavour. Whether you’re making jam, crumbles or cordial, blackberries are a nostalgic favourite and a forager’s delight.
How to Identify
- Fruit: Green to red, then deep black when ripe. Fully ripe berries are soft, juicy, and come off the stem with a gentle tug.
- Bushes: Bramble bushes are thorny, woody and often grow in tangled clumps. Canes may be upright or arching.
- Leaves: Oval with toothed edges, typically in groups of three to five.
- Flowers: Pale pink or white with five petals, appear in spring and early summer.
Note: Avoid berries that are overly soft, dull, or have started to ferment. If they don’t come off easily, they’re not ready.
Where to Find Them
- Common in hedgerows, woodland borders, parks, abandoned lots, countryside paths and even city streets.
- Prefer sunny spots for sweeter berries.
Avoid foraging at dog-walking height near paths or roadsides. Go higher or deeper into bramble patches where the berries are cleaner.
When to Forage
- Season: July to early October, depending on the weather.
- Berries ripen progressively, so the same bush can yield fruit for weeks.
- Peak season is mid-to-late August.
Sustainable Foraging Tips
- Pick from several bushes rather than stripping one.
- Leave some for wildlife – especially birds, bees and hedgehogs.
- Avoid trampling or cutting into brambles – they are important habitats.
How to Use & Store
- Eat raw, cook into desserts, blend into smoothies, or preserve as jam.
- Don’t wash until ready to use (or they’ll turn mushy).
- Fridge: 1–2 days in a container lined with paper towel.
- Freezer: Freeze flat on a tray first, then bag. Keeps up to a year.
What To Cook With Blackberries
Blackberries can be used in sweet and savoury dishes, and they’re utterly delicious. Use wherever any other berry would be used for best results. Why not try these recipes:
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