Merryhill Mushrooms

Home-grown mushroom kits in Storrington, West Sussex

Merryhill Mushrooms is a British company dedicated to producing and selling mushroom growing kits, adaptogenic coffee and dried mushrooms. Every kit is hand-planted in small batches at their farm in Storrington, West Sussex, and the company claims six generations of mushroom growing experience.

The kits are marketed as "ready growing": the hard part of cultivation, the spawn run and colonisation, has already been completed on the farm. When the kit arrives, the mycelium is fully established and the first harvest can be produced in days or weeks, not months.

Mushroom varieties and growing formats

The kit catalogue includes the Chestnut, White, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Pink Oyster, White Oyster, Black Pearl Oyster, King Oyster, Nameko and Reishi varieties. Each has a different growing speed, flavour profile and care requirement.

• Chestnut and White: the most suitable for beginners, with the widest growing window and the highest number of flushes. The first harvest arrives between 16 and 24 days after setting up.
• Shiitake and Pink Oyster: the fastest to produce results, with a first harvest in 7 to 10 days. Shiitake produces an abundant first flush, often around 1 kg. Pink Oyster doubles in size overnight and is presented as a meat substitute.
• Lion's Mane: forms a striking, furry cluster with a flavour the company compares to seafood, specifically lobster. The company notes that foraging wild mushrooms is illegal in the UK, so growing it at home is the only way to eat it fresh.
• King Oyster: thick, fleshy stems that can be cut like vegan scallops or shredded like pulled meat.

In addition to indoor kits, the company sells outdoor log inoculation kits for Shiitake, Lion's Mane and White Oyster.

New varieties planned for spring 2026

The company announced the expansion of its range in spring 2026 with three new varieties:

• Black Pearl Oyster: thick, fleshy stems with small, dark caps. A King Oyster variant in log format with topsoil, harvested in 15 to 20 days.
• White Oyster: a delicate, mild-flavoured oyster that grows in clusters from a ready-to-fruit box, with a first harvest in 7 to 10 days.
• Enoki: a Japanese variety with long, delicate stems and tiny caps, common in hot pots, soups and stir-fries. Prefers cooler temperatures of 10 to 18 degrees. Launch planned for April 2026.

Adaptogenic coffee, chocolate and dried mushrooms

The adaptogenic drinks range includes instant and ground coffees made with Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga and Ashwagandha extracts, plus a Reishi-based hot chocolate designed for afternoon or evening consumption. All products use only fruit body extracts and are made in the UK.

In the ingredients section, the company supplies A-grade dried porcini, wild mushroom mixes and porcini powder, for both home cooks and professional buyers. According to the company, these are the same products they supply to restaurants and farm shops in Sussex. The range is completed with mushroom-infused salts, presented as a low-sodium alternative with umami flavour.

How home growing works

The process described by the company consists of four steps: choose the variety, receive the already colonised kit, spray twice a day and harvest. Indoor kits grow between 14 and 21 degrees, with an optimum of 17 to 18 degrees, making them suitable for UK homes year-round. They require no greenhouse, grow tent or special equipment: just a spray bottle and a spot away from direct sunlight and draughts. Each kit includes full instructions and the company offers product support to answer questions at any stage.

The website publishes specific growing guides for Lion's Mane, Chestnut/White, Shiitake, Yellow Oyster, Pink Oyster, King Oyster, White Oyster, Summer Oyster and Enoki, as well as a visual timeline with real photos from setting up to harvesting each variety.

Orders, delivery and gift purchases

Kit orders placed before 2pm are normally dispatched the same day via DPD for next-day delivery in mainland UK. Delivery is also available to the Scottish Highlands, islands and Northern Ireland, although times and methods may vary in those areas.

The kits are presented as a popular gift for birthdays, Christmas or other occasions: the customer can indicate this at checkout and the company adjusts the dispatch date so the kit arrives with maximum shelf life. Ready-to-fruit kits can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days before starting. The company has specific gift ordering and storage guides, as well as gift cards and subscriptions.

Location and contact

Merryhill Cottage, Storrington Road, Thakeham RH20 3ED · Phone: 01903 743238 · Email: merryhillmushrooms@live.com