The Old Mushroom Farm

The spacious open plan kitchen and lounge area. Loved the shower. Fresh milk in fridge. Restaurant and quant little shops at your doorstep. Pet friendly with pleasant walking trails and beautiful views.

Entrance to the unit too close to the main road. Lots of people were passing the unit so had to keep door closed all the time.

On the spur of the moment, I needed time out and found The Old Mushroom Farm (TOMF) online and on paper, it fitted my requirements. In reality, it exploded my expectations - so far beyond my anticipations and the perfect environment for a reset. The property redesign was faithful to its origins. My one-bedroom apartment assumedly included the original toilet block with two cubicles and basins; a detail honouring the generations who passed through those office doors. The doors are the originals with the metal screw-in numbers still attached, while the walk-in shower occupied the whole space of what was likely the cleaning equipment storeroom. The industrial rustic feel is retained in the bare cement walls and industrial piping. Everything fits its purpose and environment. The original mushroom sheds now house a selection of small businesses – Midlands Books and Collectables, a second-hand bookstore with a collection that belies any concept of a shop operating in this sphere. This one houses a rare-book selection where their beauty is humbling and where the pages don't reflect history, but are history from countries that no longer exist (Northern Rhodesia, Rhodesia, South West Africa, Nyasaland). There’s Margaret-Anne Handcrafted Candles where simply walking through the glass doors wraps you in warmth and luxury as the indulgence of handmade aromatherapy candles grips your soul. Margaret-Anne's personality is obvious in what she lovingly manufactures as was spending only a few minutes in her presence revealed. Another that settles the soul without trying is Home Slice Cafe featuring a casual cafe sit-down section serving home-inspired breakfasts, lunches and teas alongside a deli and bakery. The property includes a community garden growing fruit, vegetables and various herbs with free harvesting to TOMF guests. Day visitors can harvest for a fee.

There was nothing I disliked. An observation is for instructions to operating the gas stove (especially when the gas runs out) and the pot-belly stove to be included in the units. Also, my unit did not include a pair of scissors and needs some microwave-friendly bowls.

Peaceful, comfortable, and just beautiful. Close enough to town to get there quick enough, but very much in the farmlands/forest area. Loved the open veggie and flower picking availability, and fireplace. The unit was private enough, and well equipped.

The bedside lamp wiring was faulty - landlord was notified. The knives need sharpening.

It was quiet, maybe too quiet. Would like to have joined in a social event being on my own so would have liked to see more foot traffic in the area. Otherwise, the surrounds were beautiful and safe.

The Wifi is terrible. Could not watch the live rugby feed and there was nowhere locally that it was available to see it (or if there was it was not well advertised). While I appreciate the easy of check in, the lack of contact with the host means you do not have any inside information or contact on local current events.