TOMF BLOG

Small acts can have a lasting impact. This Mandela Month, we’re celebrated the planting of 15 indigenous trees at The Old Mushroom Farm, donated by Inspirations Travel & Tours in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa. These new additions form part of our ongoing journey to grow a greener, more connected community; where gardens, people and nature thrive together. From food security to biodiversity, every seed planted helps shape a more sustainable future in the KZN Midland

A recent stay in the Boutique Apartments at The Old Mushroom Farm got us thinking about analogue living. Embodied sensory experiences with deep connections to place like how arriving home is the smell of wood fire smoke in the cold dry air.

Is modern life too 'convenient' for in-person gatherings? We think not. Get of your Zoom meeting and discover & Kin, a unique Midlands event venue at The Old Mushroom Farm near Howick. Host conferences, exhibitions, celebrations, workshops and creative gatherings in a versatile space designed to bring people together.

We've summed up the top Midlands trail running & MTB events coming up in 2026 in the Karkloof, and why athletes travel from across the country to stay at The Old Mushroom Farm. The perfect accommodation base for your race whether you're running, cycling or cheering from the sidelines.

Tucked inside a converted mushroom tunnel at The Old Mushroom Farm, Midlands Books and Collectables invites you to re-discover the lost art of browsing. A second-hand bookshop and a sanctuary for those who love the smell and feel of a physical page. Wander without a plan, follow what catches your eye, and leave with a story you didn’t expect to find.

Learn how to light a wood-burning stove (without firelighters) with Pip from The Old Mushroom Farm in the KZN Midlands. Discover cosy winter accommodation by the fireside, handcrafted Crooks Goods fireplaces, and the best direct booking accommodation rates.

Planning your Midlands adventure? We’ve mapped out the best things to do during your stay at The Old Mushroom Farm. From excellent coffee spots and beautiful gardens to outdoor adventures, galleries and iconic Midlands destinations, this local guide helps you plan the perfect day out, without spending hours building an itinerary.

Crystals have been here longer than any of us — formed slowly, under pressure. In our latest video, Leigh, co-owner of Cosmic Crystals at The Old Mushroom Farm, shares her thoughtful perspective on these beautiful stones. From precious gems to incense and ritual tools, the shop in Tunnel 1 invites visitors to pause, pay attention, and connect with objects shaped by time and intention.

Curious about garden volunteering in the KZN Midlands? Meet the volunteers helping grow the food garden at The Old Mushroom Farm and hear about their experience.

Reclaiming your attention has become a new kind of luxury. At The Old Mushroom Farm in the KZN Midlands, digital distraction is... structurally discouraged. It's true, there’s little cell reception, no TVs, and wifi that comes and goes. But we like it that way! It means slower mornings, real conversations, and time that feels like your own again. This is a digital detox farm stay for people who’d rather go frolic in a field than doomscroll.

Step inside the artisan tunnels at The Old Mushroom Farm and take a slow walk through what’s been unfolding this month. Behind each brick arch, bakers, designers, herbalists and makers are at work; creating with care. More than retail, the tunnels house working studios shaped by real people, real process and a shared commitment to thoughtful creation in the KZN Midlands.

In a world bombarded with speed, slow travel offers a more fulfilling way to explore. Rooted in presence, sustainability, and meaningful engagement, it invites travellers to linger, connect, and experience a place more deeply. In the KZN Midlands, this approach feels natural, textured by meandering drives, local craft, and the quiet rhythm of farm life at The Old Mushroom Farm.

Mother-and-daughter duo Mandy and Pip Crooks share the story behind the eclectic interiors at The Old Mushroom Farm holiday accommodation. From auction finds and vintage treasures to custom-made pieces, they reveal how artistic licence, characterful objects, and a love of the unexpected shape the Boutique Apartments and much-loved cottages—spaces designed to feel homely, layered, and full of personality.

A farm stay and volunteering opportunity at The Old Mushroom Farm. Live on an active smallholding while exploring one of South Africa’s most scenic regions. We’re offering enthusiastic volunteers a chance to experience the KZN Midlands beyond the usual tourist route. Our Food Garden Volunteer Programme combines a farm stay, flexible garden work, and plenty of free time to explore. Ideal for travellers looking for an immersive travel experience.

Mandy Crooks shares her process when designing the gardens around The Old Mushroom Farm’s new Boutique Apartments—from resilient succulents and aloes grown from seed, to gardening as design. Rooted in a deep love of visual art and plants, Mandy’s gardens show how beauty can grow naturally when you work with what the land offers.

Tucked away at The Old Mushroom Farm, photographer Ker Stanley’s studio is unlike any other, a converted water reservoir transformed into a dome-shaped creative space. Built up from the old tank’s red-brick walls, the rounded, skylit interior feels endless and filled with light. Both an architectural curiosity and artist’s dream, the perfect setting for Ker’s cinematic photography and imaginative visual storytelling.

We caught up with Chelsea and Andrew, the creative minds behind Alkaline Design Studio, based in Tunnel 4 at The Old Mushroom Farm, KZN Midlands. What began as a one-woman project in Chelsea’s mum’s laundry has grown into a thriving design studio known for innovative, sustainable, and effortlessly stylish homeware. In this interview Chelsea and Andrew give us a peek into the Alkaline studio and tell us more about what they've been up to, and what they envision for the busines

Step into Cosmic Crystals at The Old Mushroom Farm, where fairy lights twinkle, sandalwood drifts through the air, and every corner shimmers with colour. Lee, the shop’s warm and knowledgeable owner, welcomes visitors like old friends, guiding them through a dazzling array of crystals, pendants, tarot cards, and spiritual treasures. A beloved stop on the Midlands Meander, Cosmic Crystals offers an extraordinary selection at inviting prices—perfect for collectors, wanderers, a

We’re sharing Nanna’s famous lemon cordial recipe so you can get in on the lemon abundance happening at The Old Mushroom Farm. Our trees are still heavy with fruit, and this easy recipe is the perfect way to preserve their citrusy goodness. Come harvest a few lemons, make a batch, and taste the Midlands’ simple pleasures.

Once mushroom-growing rooms, the Boutique Apartments at The Old Mushroom Farm in the KZN Midlands are being reimagined into striking red-brick retreats. Architect Nick Crooks draws inspiration from heritage architecture, industrial honesty, and layered landscaping to transform old farm buildings into intriguing, comfortable spaces. This story explores the creative process, the challenges of design within constraints, and the vision shaping a different kind of countryside stay