Harvesting Blackberries in Rossendale is a doddle! Well, if you are prepared to wade through tall grass, a few splinters and the chance of falling into the river, then its a doddle. Rossendale is home to one of late summer’s most delicious gifts: wild blackberries. Foraging for these juicy gems is can fill a basket while enjoying the fresh, atm, very hot weather. Whether you’re a lifelong local or a curious day-tripper or staying with us, then here’s your guide to spotting, picking and harvesting blackberries in Rossendale.
When to Go
Blackberries in Rossendale usually ripen from mid-August through late September, depending on the year’s weather.
The best picking is often after a few warm, sunny days, when the berries are plump and sweet — but before autumn rains make them mushy.
Where to Go
You’ll find blackberries along:
Hedgerows beside country lanes and public footpaths
Field edges and old stone walls
Abandoned railway lines and bridleways
Woodland edges where sunlight still reaches the brambles
Popular spots include the paths around Cowpe Lowe, Cloughfold, and the trails skirting the Rossendale Way.
Always make sure you’re on public rights of way or have the landowner’s permission.
What To Look For
Safety
Avoid busy roadsides — exhaust fumes and pollution can taint the fruit.
Gloves are your friend — bramble thorns are unforgiving.
Watch for nettles lurking underneath the canes.
Wear long sleeves and trousers — brambles grab at bare skin.
Always wash berries thoroughly at home before eating.
Never strip a bush bare — leave some for wildlife (and fellow foragers).
Plump, deep purple-black berries — shiny, not dull or shrivelled.
A berry that releases easily from the stem when you tug — if it resists, it’s not quite ready.
A mix of ripe and unripe berries on the same bramble (come back a few days later for the rest).
Tip: The berries higher up tend to be cleaner and less exposed to passing dogs or roadside spray.
Don't Squash Them
Gently pinch the berry at its base and roll it off the stem.
Use a shallow container — deep buckets crush the lower layers.
Don’t overfill; take smaller loads back to your kitchen.
After the Harvest
Once you’ve rinsed your haul in cold water, here are some ideas of what to do with them. Or if you are like us, they became part of the tea party.
1. Blackberry & Apple Crumble
Toss blackberries with peeled Bramley apples, a little sugar, and a squeeze of lemon.
Top with butter-rubbed oats, flour, and brown sugar.
Bake until bubbling and golden.
2. Hedgerow Jam
Equal weights of blackberries and sugar, plus a splash of lemon juice.
Simmer until thickened, then jar while hot.
Perfect on toast or scones.
3. Blackberry Vinegar
Steep berries in cider vinegar for a week, strain, and sweeten with sugar.
Lovely drizzled over salads or used in winter cordials.
4. Freezer Smoothie Packs
Portion berries into bags with chopped banana and spinach.
Freeze for quick, healthy breakfasts.
