A family guide to blackberry picking in North Wales
If you're looking for a free, fun and easy way to get outdoors with the kids this autumn, blackberry picking is hard to beat.
From late August through to early October, hedges across North Wales become packed with juicy blackberries just waiting to be discovered. So grab your containers and head out on a real-life treasure hunt!
Why families love blackberry picking
Blackberry picking is simple enough for even very young kids to enjoy. No special skills are needed, just a keen eye and a sense of adventure.
Along the way, you'll find opportunities to slow down and explore nature together. Encourage children to look beyond the blackberry bushes and see what else they can spot - birds, insects, fungi, interesting leaves or signs of wildlife. You don't need to know everything either. If something catches your eye, take a photo and look it up when you get home. Sometimes these other discoveries can be the most memorable part of the trip.
When we went blackberry picking recently, our two-year-old was far more interested in eating the berries than collecting them! Every few berries seemed to make it into the tub, while the rest disappeared straight into her mouth. While we'd always recommend washing berries thoroughly before eating them, it's easy to see why children find it hard to resist sampling some along the way.
Start somewhere simple
If you've never been blackberry picking before, country parks, woodland walks and public footpaths are often the easiest places to begin. Pick only what you'll use, leave plenty for wildlife and other visitors, and take any litter home with you. Remember to stick to public paths and not to venture onto private land.
What You'll Need
You don't need much to get started:
Small tubs or containers with lids
Suitable footwear for uneven ground
Wet wipes or hand sanitiser for sticky fingers
A little patience when reaching around the prickly brambles
Blackberry picking tips
Pick dark berries that come away easily from the stem.
Avoid berries that are red or hard, as they aren't ripe yet.
Don't pick blackberries growing close to the ground, as dogs may have weed on them.
It's best to pick blackberries away from main roads, as berries growing close to heavy traffic may be exposed to more pollution.
Wash all berries thoroughly before eating.
Leave plenty behind for wildlife and other foragers to enjoy.
What can you make with blackberries?
One of the best things about blackberry picking is enjoying them afterwards.
Our kids love helping in the kitchen, so if yours do too, try creating some tasty blackberry treats together. Here are some ideas:
Blackberry crumble (you can add apples too)
Blackberry muffins
Blackberry jam
Blackberry pancakes
Smoothies
Ice lollies
Or, simply enjoy as they are!
Tip: Don't worry if you've picked more than you can use straight away. Blackberries freeze really well, so you can pop them into the freezer and save them for future crumbles, smoothies or baking later in the year.
Keep an eye out for other autumn finds
While you're searching for blackberries, you might also spot crab apples, damsons, sloes and hazelnuts growing nearby. Spotting these can be a great way to introduce children to the changing seasons and food growing all around them.
A simple autumn tradition
Blackberry picking is a simple activity that costs nothing but creates lasting memories when done as a family. Whether you collect enough for a crumble or simply enjoy eating a few berries when you get home, it's a fantastic way to connect children with nature and make the most of autumn in North Wales.
So grab a tub, head to your nearest country park or woodland and see how many blackberries you can find!
