Comforts Orchard, Corscombe

Energy-saving improvements

Low-cost improvements
Lighting systems and electrical appliances
Renewables: heat
Renewables: electricity
Lifestyle change
Recommended

Location

Comforts Orchard, Corscombe, High Street
Corscombe
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 0NX

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Opening times

Sunday 15 September 10.30-12.30 only

This event has now finished.

Just turn up Go round the side of the house and meet at the back

Henry and Rosemary run a small-holding farm dedicated to sustainability and self-sufficiency. The house, built in 1992, is well insulated, with a South facing conservatory which provides some heat for the house. In winter the house is heated with a wood-burning range which powers three radiators, and two other wood burning stoves, occasionally backed up by oil. A solar thermal panel provides heat for hot water.

One of the barns in the garden has 6.8kW solar photoelectric panels, and some of the electricity is stored in a 6kWh battery, making the home largely self-sufficient for electricity, and providing a backup during power cuts.

In the grounds is a large allotment providing vegetables all the year round; and orchard; a willow stand to grow firewood; a Christmas tree plantation; a copse of mixed trees which they planted 36 years ago and is now mature; hedges have been replanted with an Ashridge conservation mix of indigenous trees; and Rosemary and Henry keep chickens, lambs and pigs along organic lines, in fields attached to the garden and nearby (the meat is sometimes available for sale).