Above the 3 bay garage at Southfield House is Woodsman's Loft. Built in 2007, 32ft long by 14 ft wide with pretty views over the fields and out onto woodland behind, it is has every modern comfort and convenience but is also built out of sound ecological practice.

The construction of the building is traditional brick and block, however the blocks are extra insulating and the insulation throughout the building is Ecotherm, meeting all the latest NHBC building recommendations. The key to good energy practice is using the heat and power that you generate wisely and letting as little as possible escape!

Although powered by an oil boiler we carbon offset by planting trees in Scotland on land we own there. So far an additional 15 acres of hardwood has already been planted. We also have a rolling programme of tree replacement and addition here at Southfield and have planted 15 new trees and replaced a further 8 already. Our bluebell woods, although small are well looked after!

Up a set of black painted galvanised steel steps you enter the loft through a 9 pane stable door into an area for hanging your coat and leaving your boots. The loft is carpeted in ivory wool except where there is oak flooring. There is a small dining area with high bistro table and stools to make best use of the views over fields, often with a herd of black and white cows in view. Also in the dining area there is good storage and a CD player.

The sitting area has an L shaped cream sofa, TV, Sky and a DVD player. The kitchen area is to one side of the living room and is fully equipped with an integral hob, cooker and mini-dishwasher, Fridge Freezer (A energy rating) 1.5 bowl sink with Perrin and Rowe tap, microwave, kettle, toaster and an oak floor. Double bi-fold doors lead through to the double bedroom with zip and link super-king bed, bedside cabinets, water carafes on each side of the bed, space for hanging clothes, touch base lamps and a chest of drawers.

Throughout the building we use long life, low energy bulbs where at all possible. Fabric throughout the loft is from Jane Churchill and is cotton and linen. The bed linen is fresh and white and the towels are made of bamboo fibre or organic cotton. All timber throughout the building is from renewable sources. The bathroom is compact with a shower bath, basin unit and toilet and makes excellent use of eaves space. All bathroom products provided are organic.

The loft has 4 dormer windows with hardwood casement sash windows with interlined blinds and 2 velux windows with blinds.

There is a rainwater harvesting system off the roof of the building which feeds into an automatic watering system for the vegetable garden in the main house where we grow our own organic fruit and vegetables year round.

Outside the loft there is a small balcony area at the top of the access steps but underneath there is a patio made of Indian Sandstone (brought from quarries where child labour is not used and the delivery crates are made from sustainable sources). There is a gas BBQ and a table with 4 chairs and a parasol. A step leads down to a flat area and the woodland at the rear of the building.

Every effort is made to use sustainable materials and ecologically sound products and the towels and linen are washed in ecologically friendly detergents. Cleaning products used are natural and we do not use bleach based products at all.

A welcome pack is provided for all guests comprising;

Organic Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Milk, Butter, Eggs, Bacon and Orange Juice.

Newspaper delivery is available on request.

Guests are welcome to use our woods to walk in however we do have a no pets and no children policy. There are stunning walks and cycle rides all around and Alice Holt Forest is only 15 minutes away so don't forget the walking boots or wellies!

Jane Austen's house at Chawton is only 3 miles away and Gilbert White's house at Selbourne is 4 miles away. Alton is 2 miles away and there is a golf course and pub within walking distance of the house.

The Golden Pot pub is a 10 minute stroll.

Odiham and the M3 are 7 miles away with trains from Basingstoke (15 mins drive) taking 40 minutes to London Waterloo. Winchester is a 25 minute drive and the New Forest is within easy driving distance. Stonehenge is approximately 45 minutes away.

Alton has a regular farmers market and there is a fabulous organic farm shop nearby at Isington or Newlyns Farm Shop at North Warnborough. There is also an excellent organic food shop in Alton itself. Alton provides the usual selection of high street shops and banks, a large Sainsburys and an M&S Simply Food.