About

The Story Behind Billington Mushrooms

About Us

Growing Exceptional Mushrooms With Integrity, Innovation & Care

At Billington Mushrooms, we are dedicated to producing gourmet and functional mushrooms of the highest quality. From our indoor farm in East Sussex, we combine sustainable practices with meticulous craftsmanship to bring you fresh, flavourful mushrooms grown with integrity from start to finish.

Our Mushrooms

Gourmet & Functional Mushrooms, Grown With Care

We specialise in cultivating premium varieties known for their exceptional taste, texture, and natural benefits:

  • Lion’s Mane – Celebrated for its cognitive-supporting properties and delicate seafood-like texture.

  • Oyster Mushrooms – Meaty, versatile, and ideal for countless dishes.

  • Speckled Chestnut Mushrooms – Beautiful, nutty-flavoured mushrooms with rich umami and a delightful crunch.

  • Seasonal Specialities – A rotating range of unique varieties grown throughout the year.

All our mushrooms are grown indoors using low-impact, meticulously controlled methods ensuring consistency, freshness, and sustainability from farm to fork.

Discover our full range and taste the difference.

Our Mission

Growing Better Food for a Better Future

Our mission is clear:
to grow exceptional mushrooms using sustainable, low-impact methods that nourish people, support nature, and strengthen our food system.

We believe in transparency, accountability, and responsible food production — values that guide everything we do.

Sustainability at the Heart of Everything We Grow

Low-Impact Indoor Cultivation

Our controlled indoor farm in East Sussex enables year-round growing using:

  • Minimal water

  • Reduced energy consumption

  • No pesticides

  • Highly efficient, reproducible cultivation cycles

This dramatically lowers our environmental footprint while guaranteeing mushrooms of exceptional quality.

Oak-Based Substrate

Sustainability begins with what we grow on.
We use a sustainably sourced oak substrate, chosen for its purity, nutrient density, and ideal structure for gourmet mushrooms.

Using oak allows us to:

  • Repurpose high-quality hardwood by-products

  • Reduce reliance on imported or unsustainable substrates

  • Create rich, clean growing blocks perfect for premium varieties

  • Support a circular, regenerative cultivation system

Our carefully formulated oak mixtures provide the perfect foundation for mushrooms to thrive — naturally, cleanly, and efficiently.

Zero Waste Philosophy

We operate with a commitment to full circularity.
Our spent oak substrate is never wasted: it’s repurposed as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner for gardens, growers, and composters across the region, returning goodness back to the land.

Local Supply, Fresher Food

By growing locally in East Sussex, we significantly reduce food miles, strengthen local supply chains, and deliver mushrooms at peak freshness — often within hours of harvest.

Our Ethos

Respect for Nature. Respect for People. Respect for Quality.

Everything we do is rooted in three guiding principles:

1. Care

Every batch is monitored by hand. Every growing room is tended daily. Every mushroom is harvested with precision and respect.

2. Quality

We never compromise. From culture to harvest, we uphold the highest standards of purity, consistency, and flavour.

3. Community

We work closely with local chefs, retailers, small businesses, and home cooks — building relationships that help exceptional mushrooms reach more plates across the UK.

Our Farm in East Sussex

Where Innovation Meets Nature

Nestled in the East Sussex countryside, our farm blends modern indoor cultivation with a deep appreciation for the natural landscape around us.
Here, we produce gourmet mushrooms in purpose-built, climate-controlled rooms designed to replicate ideal forest conditions — but with the consistency, cleanliness, and efficiency required for commercial excellence.

This is where every mushroom begins its journey:
from sustainably sourced oak, to expertly nurtured blocks, to fresh harvest, to your kitchen.

Meet the Team

The People Behind the Mushrooms

Ashley Billington

Co-Founder & Head of Operations
Ashley leads our growing operations with hands-on expertise and a lifelong passion for working with nature. With a background in landscaping and a deep respect for the environment, he oversees every stage of production — ensuring each mushroom meets the highest standards of quality and care.

Haroun Shah

Co-Founder & Business Development Lead
Haroun brings strategic vision and commercial insight from his background in property development, hospitality, and food production. As the owner of a successful cloud kitchen business, he focuses on partnerships, growth, and expanding our reach to chefs, retailers, and households across the UK.
View Haroun on LinkedIn

 

Rachel Bishop

Photography, Social Media & Creative Project Manager
Rachel is the creative storyteller behind our visual identity. With an eye for detail and passion for authenticity, she plays a key role in shaping both the visual identity and the smooth running of our day-to-day creative operations. Her blend of creativity and structure keeps Billington Mushrooms moving forward with clarity, consistency and a strong visual identity. Rachel also supports the wider team through strong organisational and planning skills