Fungi Festival at Emmetts Garden
The Fungi Festival returns to Emmetts Garden 11 October to 3 November 2024, inspired by the amazing array of weird and wonderful fungi found at Emmetts Garden. Delight in the unique mushroom wares for sale at the Fungi Fair craft market, discover the fascinating secrets of fungi in expert-led talks, take part in creative workshops and join in the fungi fun for families throughout the festival and during half term.
Fungi Festival
Friday 11 October – Sunday 3 November
Fungi have long been associated with magic, myth, and legend. But fantasy aside, our native fungi are something quite unique and special. Neither plants nor animals, fungi are in their own kingdom and include more than 100,000 known species. The role they play in our ecosystem is significant, breaking down dead matter, capturing carbon and providing a food source for many creatures.
The Fungi Festival is inspired by the incredible variety of specimens found at Emmetts Garden. The damp woodland provides ideal conditions for fungi including the distinctive red and white spotted fly agaric, stinkhorn, shaggy parasols and fairy’s bonnet. Taking place over three weeks in October and the first weekend of November, the festival celebrates all things fungi through arts and crafts workshops, music, talks, family activities and even a dedicated Fungi Fair.
Normal admission applies. Additional charges and pre-booked tickets are required to attend workshops and talks.
Fungi Fair
Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October
The festival kicks off with a three-day market, featuring makers and craftspeople selling unique, mushroom-themed products. The unmissable Fungi Fair offers everything from jewellery and prints to wooden sculpture and ceramics.
Saturday 12 October
Music on the Meadow: Medway Concert Brass. Enjoy classical, traditional and popular tunes from a live band as you browse our Fungi Fair market stalls.
Fungi talks and workshops for adults
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of fungi with our engaging programme of expert-led talks. Explore extraordinary fungi, learn about their importance in nature as well as the power of mushrooms, their role in our lives and how to identify some of the most toxic varieties.
Saturday 19 October
- Mushroom Production Unlock the secrets of mushroom production and embark on your journey to cultivate fungi with biologist Diogo Ribeiro from Dilena Fungi and the University of Lisbon.
- Emmetts Garden & Fungi Delve into the world of fantastical fungi found here at Emmetts Garden with our Head Gardener Ignacio Silva de la Iglesia.
- In Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind, join the quest to understand the importance of ‘the forgotten kingdom’ in the web of nature with esteemed palaeontologist, natural historian, writer and television presenter Richard Fortey.
Sunday 20 October
- The Science of Magic Mushrooms. Explore the psychedelic renaissance and studies of psilocybin with Dr David Luke, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich.
- Murderous Mushrooms: How to Recognise Toxic Mushrooms If you’ve ever wondered what happens if you accidentally eat a poisonous mushroom, this talk is for you. Identification, myth busting and Q&A with Field Mycologist Iona Fraser.
- Fungi Festival Photography workshop Mushrooms don’t blow around in the wind, so there’s ample opportunity to compose the perfect shot. Designed for photographers using cameras with a short-range zoom lens (24-70mm), expert photographer, Roger Bloxham leads this half-day workshop. Photography workshop tickets also include garden entry, cake and a hot drink.
Fungi spotting
Fungi spotted at Emmetts should not be picked or eaten; they are often poisonous and form a vital part of the woodland ecosystem.
Family fun(gi)
There’s plenty of family-friendly fun throughout the Fungi Festival including activity trails, half term games on the meadow and creative workshops for kids.
Normal admission applies. Additional fee payable at the Visitor Centre for the family trail sheet and prize. Online pre-booking and additional fees required for workshops.
Friday 11 October – Sunday 3 November
Running throughout the Fungi Festival including half term. Take part in the family ‘Fun Gus’ trail. Pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre. Trail costs £3 and includes a prize (normal admission charges also apply).
Half term activities
Saturday 19 October – Sunday 3 November
- Games on the Meadow put on your wellies and take part in self-led games on the meadow! (Free but normal admission charges apply.)
Saturday 26 October
- Clay Mushroom Making Workshop with Nature Makers (for ages 4–11, accompanied an adult).
Sunday 27 October
- Graffiti Workshop with Graffiti Stars (for ages 8–14).
- Children’s Woodland Craft Workshop with rangers from Kent County Parks (for ages 4–11, accompanied an adult).
Food and drink
When you’re ready for refreshment, wood-fired pizza is available on the meadow for two weekends during the festival (12-13, 26–27 October). The Old Stables Tea Room will be serving hot and cold drinks, soup, sandwiches and other light snacks daily from 10 am until last orders at 4:20pm. (Be sure to allow enough time to stroll back to the carpark before it closes at 5pm.)
Autumn walks
Autumn is a spectacular time of year to visit Emmetts Garden. Enjoy the crunching of leaves underfoot, admire the changing colours across the landscape and take in fantastic views over the Weald of Kent. Garden highlights include the winged spindle tree and Japanese maples which turn fiery red as well as the katsura, also known as the candyfloss tree for its sugary sweet autumnal fragrance.