The Forest Ark: off-grid cabin in private woodland

The Forest Ark is a quirky off-grid eco cabin in the heart of Hazel Hill Wood, a private woodland and nature sanctuary looked after by the charity, Hazel Hill Trust. This basic, beautifully-crafted, rustic building made from natural materials provides a simple but comfortable style of accommodation, which is ideal for a quiet forest retreat. Switch off from the modern world and experience the off-grid lifestyle. The woodland is a wonderful space to wander around and for kids to play and explore. The space The Forest Ark sleeps 6, across two double bedrooms and a double sofa bed in the living room. Our buildings are off-grid. This means that understanding how you use water, heat, electricity and generate waste is part of having a good stay. We brief you on how to use the off-grid systems when you arrive in a 30 minute briefing at check-in. We need to agree a check-in time with you in advance to make sure one of our team is on-site to do this briefing for you. Check-in is between 2-4pm only. Power - the Forest Ark has a limited amount of electricity, provided by solar panels and a back-up generator. Please come prepared to use minimal electricity during your stay. The more power you use, the more likely the generator will run. Heating and hot water - heat and hot water comes from a wood-burning stove that you need to light and stoke. Logs are provided. Water - the water that comes through the taps is from rainwater, collected and filtered through a harvesting system. This water looks discoloured - it's suitable for washing but not drinking and cooking! We provide separate drinking water in containers. Waste-water drains into a reed bed so we ask you to bring eco-friendly shampoo, shower gel etc. Washing up liquid is provided. Bedding - we do not provide bedding or towels. Cooking facilities - there is a two-ring gas hob that you can cook on and a fridge. You can also use the oven in the wood-burning stove if you have it lit. Toilets and showers - there are two showers and two indoor composting toilets. There are also two outdoor composting toilets. To help reduce smell we advise using the outdoor toilets as much as possible. Babies and toddlers - we're not really set up for littles ones, the buildings aren't baby-proof and we don't have any specific equipment, high chairs, cots, stair gates, fire guards etc. There are the usual outdoor risks associated with woodlands. ** Please note: there is currently no heating in the bedrooms and the decking has a couple of areas roped off for safety ** Guest access On-site parking. When you arrive please follow the sign for the Ark and park in the space on the left as you approach. Other things to note Sorry, no pets.