Foraging & Preservation Experiences 2026
When we released our Foraging & Preservation Overnight Stay Experiences earlier this year they sold out in a matter of hours, so we were keen to work with our Preservation Team to offer more opportunities for our guests to experience this incredible package next spring and summer. This package really allows you to get behind the scenes, through one on one time with the Foraging & Preservation Team, learning how we use our grown and foraged ingredients in the peak of a season, as well as all year around, across the seasons too.
To start you’ll learn the important rules and ethics of foraging, along with the amazing array of familiar flavours we’ve been able to find in the unfamiliar plants, flowers and fruits that we forage (plus some of the more unusual flavours too of course!). The team will walk you through preserving techniques like fermentation and pickling, meaning that you’ll be able to take home a little bit of Oldstead to enjoy all year around. You’ll enjoy a 2-night stay at The Black Swan Oldstead with dinner at The Black Swan one night and dinner at our sister pub, The Abbey Inn, on the other.
We don’t just think of preserving as a way to create truly unique ingredients for our menus – but also as a brilliant way to reduce food waste and give new life to produce that might otherwise be overlooked. We hope that you’ll be able to go away after your stay and be confident in preserving ingredients from your own garden, local markets or hedgerows too!
The 2026 Foraging & Preservation Experience with a 2-night Stay is available on select Monday & Tuesday night stays through April, May, June, July and September 2026 and includes:
– A 2-night stay at The Black Swan Oldstead
– 3-course dinner at The Abbey Inn on the Monday night (taxi to and from The Black Swan included)
– Foraging trip with our Foraging & Preservation team in Oldstead and the surrounding area
– Preservation workshop under The Pavilion in the garden at The Black Swan Oldstead
– Tasting Menu for Two at The Black Swan Oldstead on the Tuesday night
– Breakfast both mornings at The Black Swan Oldstead
– A copy of Tommy’s cookbook, Roots
– Oldstead preservation pack to take away
The Foraging & Preservation Experience 2-night Stay is priced at £1695 based on two people sharing a room.
This experience is limited to a maximum of 12 guests only on each date through April, May, June, July and September with arrival on a Monday and departure on a Wednesday morning.