New ‘high-quality’ mushroom business launched in Oxford

Oxford Mushroom Farm officially opened on Monday, May 25 with a launch party from midday to 5pm.

Based at a previously unused patch of land beside Hinksey Heights Golf Club, the new business is providing fresh gourmet fungi to homes and businesses across Oxfordshire.

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Lifelong Oxford local Steve Hart, who attended Cherwell School, launched the farm in January 2024 with an ambition to transform unused ground into something productive, sustainable and community-focused.

Now, after two years of balancing the project alongside a full-time job as a builder, landscaper and heating engineer, Mr Hart has officially opened the farm to the public.

A new Oxford mushroom business has been launched next to a golf club (Image: Steve Hart)

He said: “Every decision has been intentional, from the growing environment to sourcing the best possible ingredients.

“I want the farm to produce high-quality food for Oxford while also exploring the environmental benefits fungi can offer.”

Among the farm’s offering is Lion’s Mane, oyster, shiitake, speckled chestnut and other varieties of mushroom, with the businesses based around sustainability.

A new Oxford mushroom business has been launched next to a golf club (Image: Steve Hart)

Premium mushroom substrates are produced using sawdust sourced as a natural by-product from sawmills in the mountains of Snowdonia, combined with pure Snowdon Mountain spring water in collaboration with North Wales-based growers Fungi Foods.

Alongside supplying fresh produce locally, Mr Hart is also interested in the emerging science of mycoremediation, an eco-friendly technique that uses fungi to help break down ground pollutants and restore damaged land.

He said: “My main goal is feeding Oxford, but also using science and mycoremediation to help heal polluted land and fly-tipping ground in Oxfordshire. 

Steve Hart (L) setting up the Oxford Mushroom Farm (Image: Steve Hart)

“The world needs healing and I hope this will play a part and grow… mushroom!”

The lead farmer, who recently received diagnoses of autism and ADHD, said creating the farm had been a major personal achievement.

He said: “After two years of hard work, I’ve finally turned this space into something positive for the community.

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“I really want to make the mushroom farm a success and create something that helps feed Oxford while bringing people together through food, science, art and nature.”

The launch saw visitors tour the farm and see the gourmet mushrooms growing with music and food on offer.

As well as mushrooms, shoppers can also buy kits so that mushrooms can be grown at home with a range of dried mushrooms also being worked upon.

Products can be purchased at the farm or delivered directly to people’s homes.