Overview

• Personal picking of wild flowers, fruit, fungi and foliage is generally allowed for non‑commercial use if plants are not uprooted, according to expert guidance referencing the Theft Act.
• Foraging is prohibited on many protected sites, including SSSIs, National Nature Reserves and some Royal Parks, with breaches risking fixed‑penalty fines typically reported at £100–£300.
• Entering private land without the owner’s consent may constitute trespass, and the Right to Roam does not allow leaving designated paths to collect plants.
• Ecologists warn that stripping bushes or trampling surrounding vegetation can damage habitats and may amount to a criminal offence when done irresponsibly.
• Blackberry season peaks from August through early October, and advisers recommend checking bylaws and landowner permissions and picking sparingly to leave food for wildlife.