At Oxwillow Farm near Ely, Cambridgeshire, a bold agricultural experiment has defied expectations. What many once considered a joke—growing rice in the UK—is now coming to fruition, with the first-ever British rice crop ready for harvest. Farmer Craig Taylor, working alongside the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, cultivated nine rice varieties, including risotto, sushi, and basmati types, across four small paddy fields. The unusually hot summer of 2025 created ideal growing conditions, promising a yield that could open new possibilities for UK farming while addressing long-term issues like soil erosion and peatland degradation in the Cambridgeshire Fens.
Beyond producing rice, this pioneering project contributes to environmental restoration. Using paludiculture—the rewetting of peatlands—the initiative helps restore soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other crops such as lettuce, celery, and pumpkins are also being trialed under similar conditions, highlighting the potential for diverse, climate-adapted agriculture in the UK. While the economic feasibility is still under review, the success of this first harvest has already attracted attention from supermarkets and environmental groups, signaling a promising shift toward sustainable farming practices. More