A Fung-tastic time was had by all!

The Magic of Mycology: A Look Back at Carey’s First-Ever Secret All Things Fungi Festival

This autumn, Carey’s Secret Garden came alive with an exciting new event that drew enthusiasts, experts, and curious minds alike: the first-ever Secret All Things Fungi Festival took place on the weekend of 25 - 27th October. Nestled in the tranquil, hidden grounds of Carey’s, the festival offered a one-of-a-kind celebration of the fascinating world of fungi. From inspiring talks to hands-on workshops and creative stall holders, the event brought together everything from science and sustainability to culinary exploration and local artistry – all focused on our shared love for the mysterious mushroom.

“The Secret All Things Fungi Festival at Careys was as inspiring as it was fun. The mixture of expertise, innovative science and creative flair created a really warm atmosphere in which to connect and learn about all aspects of fungi. It was a real privilege to become part of this emerging community and for our gardens to host this introduction to the wonderful world of mycology. I hope this will become a regular feature at CSG.”
Garden Finder, Simon Constantine

From Chanterelles to Funeral Bells

We were thrilled to see how many people came out to support the festival, with visitors travelling from near and far to join us in this unique celebration. The turnout was remarkable, with both our regular garden members and new guests helping to create a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Seeing so many enthusiastic faces among the gardens, engaging with fungi in new and meaningful ways, made the event truly special. An incredible variety of fungi species were identified over the weekend, from Chanterelles to Funeral Bells.

Highlights of the Day

The festival was filled with activities and offerings that delighted and inspired attendees. Expert talks explored the role of fungi in ecosystems, their potential medicinal benefits, and the importance of foraging safely and sustainably. Our knowledgeable speakers captivated our audience, answering questions and offering insights that left many eager to learn more.

“Carey’s event was a lovely weekend connecting with like-minded people. There were plenty of interesting species found on site including some of my favourites to capture like this Holy Leaf Parachute ( Marasmius hudsonii ). It was amazing to lead a macro workshop with so many subjects, the UV walks were very entertaining with plenty of excitement seeing the world through a different lens. What stood out most for me was a conversation with a gentleman after my presentation. I could see that his eyes had been opened to a whole new world. He and his partner were excited and in awe of nature, ready to go and look a little closer and explore. I saw real value in what these events do for people as we gain a deeper appreciation and reconnect to the natural world. A big thank you to all involved for making it so special!” Max Mudie

The hands-on demonstrations were a big hit as well. Mushroom-growing workshops walked visitors through the steps of cultivating their own edible fungi at home, while cooking demos highlighted the versatility of mushrooms (and other wild ingredients) in the kitchen, offering up some delicious samples and recipe ideas that had everyone reaching for seconds!

Festival co-creator Jana Nicole ran some fantastic Botanical and Fungi themed collage workshops for both adults and children across the weekend;

“Teaching a fungi collage workshop at Carey’s Secret Garden was a wonderful experience. The goal of the workshop was to introduce participants to the diverse and fascinating world of fungi, while allowing them to explore mixed-media collage techniques to create their own mushroom inspired artwork. The resulting collages were stunning, ranging from abstract, layered pieces to more realistic detailed ones. Several attendees expressed how meditative the process was, while others said they gained a newfound appreciation for mushrooms and the natural world. Overall, the fungi workshop was a perfect reminder of how art can be a bridge to learning about nature and how even those who don’t consider themselves “artists’ can produce something beautiful and personal. All of this took place amongst the beautiful setting that is Carey’s Secret Garden, and I look forward to hosting more!”

Artist Jana Nicole with her Fungi Collage Workshops

Our stallholders, too, added a vibrant element to the festival, showcasing unique, mushroom-inspired art, jewellery, homemade products, growing kits and local crafts that brought together the beauty and utility of fungi in ways people may not have seen before.

Stall Holder in the “Mushroom Market”

Wonderful Feedback and Future Inspiration

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re incredibly grateful for everyone who shared their experiences with us. Many attendees expressed their excitement at having such a focused and intimate event, where they could dive into the fascinating world of fungi while enjoying the calming and scenic surroundings of Carey’s Secret Garden. The enthusiasm and curiosity we saw reaffirmed our commitment to creating events that inspire and educate while connecting people to the natural world.

Festival co-host Andy Knott from Jurassic Coast Mushrooms had this to say:

“I'd just like to thank everybody who attended our first fungi festival! It was amazing to see so many smiley faces both young and old. A huge thank you to the Dorset Fungus Group and everybody that joined our fungi walks and growing workshops. I'm looking forward to offering more of the same next year at Careys. Lastly, a shout out to all the vendors, talkers, walkers, guides and everybody at Careys that helped make this such a success, it wouldn't have been possible without all your effort and passion for All Things Fungi! We look forward to welcoming you all back to the gardens for 2025!”

What’s Next?

The success of this festival has already sparked ideas for next year’s event, and we’re excited to make it an annual tradition with even more offerings and surprises. Our team is brainstorming new talks, workshops, and interactive sessions to ensure that future festivals continue to inspire and engage.

To everyone who came out and supported us in making this first Secret All Things Fungi Festival such a success – thank you! And of course, a huge thank you to Max Mudie and Jana Nicole from the OG All Things Fungi Festival for helping us curate the event. We look forward to welcoming you back next year and growing our community of fungi lovers and nature enthusiasts.

“We want to say thank you to everyone that came out to support the event and a big round of applause to Simon, Tink, and Andy! It was a wonderful weekend and so happy that All Things Fungi Festival was able to collaborate with Carey’s Secret Garden.” Jana Nicole

Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events, and remember, there’s always something new to discover at Carey’s!