Ecocabin Review

Typical price:

£95

We like:

The cosy lounge with wood-chip fire; the organic food deliveries

We don't like:

The nine-mile trek from the train station

SmartPlanet judgement:

As long as you aren't expecting Daylesford, this eco cabin does just what it says on the box, and we're impressed by the attention to detail. From organic cotton towels to energy-efficient appliances, this place has it covered.

Score:

Contact:

Nice Car Company at http://www.ecocabin.co.uk/
Telephone: +44 (0)1547 530 183

It looks like a cross between a cricket pavilion and a Scandinavian lodge. In fact the Ecocabin, built out of wood, wool, reeds, lime and clay, is the inspired vision of the local owner and farmer's wife, Kate Grubb. Though it's small, there's everything you need for a week's self-catering: fully equipped kitchen, dining area, utility room (with large sink and washing machine), lounge and bathroom. But don't expect all the mod-cons -- there's no television, CD player, microwave or dishwasher, for example.

We stayed in the double room (there's another twin room), which had crisp white bed linen, organic cotton towels, and a small wardrobe -- simple, unfussy and comfortable. The kitchen and dining area have a gas cooker, fridge and dining table, and the tall windows let lots of natural light flood in. The lounge is the cosiest part of the cabin. We arrived late and fell asleep sitting in the three-piece suite opposite the wood pellet stove.

Kate is clearly passionate about all things green, and built the cabin with funding from the Defra Rural Enterprise Scheme. The cabin's wood is local Douglas fir and ash, strengthened by reed boards and insulated with sheep's wool. There are solar panels that supply some of the energy (the rest is sourced from Good Energy), and all the electrical appliances are energy efficient. Most of the furnishings are from a community recycling scheme or bought from a local junk shop, like the 50s kitchen cabinet.

For breakfast there was delicious homemade bread and local eggs for breakfast, and in the store room there's an honesty shop for local jam and honey and a few other 'essentials' (including Fairtrade chocolate!). We only stayed for two days, but if you're planning a longer stop-over, you can order a delivery of organic food from a local supplier. Keep an eye out for the instructions on how best to use the wormery and recycling facilities -- essential given the amount of waste that builds up, even over a weekend of self-catering.

Ecocabin does exactly what it says on the tin, so don't expect eco-chic or the amenities you'd find in a modern cottage. The cabin's charm is that it's furnished in a basic fashion yet is perfectly comfortable and 100 per cent true to its claim to be eco-friendly -- right down to the kitchen worktop that's made out of recycled yoghurt pots!

[box]Essentials: Ecocabin sleeps four people and costs from £420 a week or £95 a night (minimum two nights). Collection can be arranged from Hopton Heath Station. Near Ludlow, Shropshire, England.
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Score breakdown:

 

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