TOMF BLOG

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

CROOKS is a design studio rooted in craftsmanship and heritage, creating enduring home goods from its workshop at The Old Mushroom Farm. From encaustic tiles and steel cabinetry to fireplaces, braais, and light concrete sinks, each piece is made locally with purpose and precision. CROOKS GOODS are objects with a story—born from function, shaped by artistry, and designed to last. Step inside the showroom and see CROOKS in motion.

One year later, our espalier plum fence at The Old Mushroom Farm is growing into its next tier! Carefully trained on a steel framework, these fruit trees are becoming a living privacy screen between our Boutique Apartments. This winter’s pruning shapes tier one—adding structure, beauty, and the promise of future plums. See the slow art of espalier in action and enjoy a day out on the farm while you're at it.

It’s official. We’ve entered our vlogging era. We figured it was time, given our growing stash of video footage, and our burning desire to show off our muddy boots in HD. Yes, The Old Mushroom Farm is now on YouTube. Like and subscribe, baby!

What is Spring Leap Fest? And why is it important? Discover the story behind Spring Leap Fest, The Old Mushroom Farm’s very own wellness festival. Find out more about this celebration of connection, movement, and holistic wellbeing- a day filled with yoga, sound journeys, creative workshops, friends, and new ideas— Here's why Spring Leap Fest 2025 is not to be missed!

Follow the scents of sandalwood and lavendar to Tunnel 3, home of Nude—a small-batch skincare studio making handcrafted soaps naturally. Founded by Karin McGee, Nude blends aromatherapy, and herbal wisdom into every bar, balm, and bottle. With herbs hanging to dry and essential oils in the air, this dreamy little shop is a must-visit for anyone seeking gentle, locally made skincare.

We know. The word “mushroom” is right there in our name. But you seem to be missing a smaller, but crucial detail: “old.” Long story short, the mushrooms are gone. Not a shiitake in sight. Yet, we still get visitors wandering in with Tupperwares and hopeful eyes asking, “Do you sell mushrooms?”. So let’s settle it once and for all. We invite you to bring your curiosity and explore these fascinating repurposed spaces, at The Formerly-Fungal, Still-Fantastic Old Mushroom Farm. 

You don't need to wait for us to reply to your booking enquiry! (Our small team can only do so much!) That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to book direct via our website. In our latest blog post, we walk you through how to check availability and confirm your stay at The Old Mushroom Farm using Nightsbridge, our trusted booking platform. No back-and-forth, no fuss—just quick, secure, direct booking. Your Midlands escape starts here!

Nikki Brighton shares her ‘wild ideas’ about uncultivated food with TV Show Nis Bore at The Old Mushroom Farm. Watch the full feature here to find out more about the ‘Wild Weeds Woman’ and the delicious world growing at our feet.