Learn about life in a low-impact, eco home

Sadly, we can't all live in a fully-fledged eco home, but we can certainly take inspiration from those with the funds and creativity to do it.

The dwelling pictured here may look like somewhere a hobbit would feel at home, but it's actually the handiwork of one family in Wales who wanted to creat the ultimate low-impact woodland home. I think they succeeded: the house, which is dug into hillside to provide shelter, took just three months to build from scratch, costing the family around £3000.

Its frame is entirely made from 'spare wood', taken from local surroundings, and insulation is provided by bales of straw. It's heated by a wood-burning fire, lighting and electricity is generated by solar panels and the house is fitted with a composting toilet. Most of the above could be incorporated into ordinary houses as a way of reducing the household's overall impact.

Personally, I think it looks absolutely magical, and would love to spend some time there...you can see some amazing pictures of the interiour of the house and the design process here.