Lowen is undeniably the jewel in our crown. Words don’t do it justice – you really have to see it. It’s earthy and organic, almost as if it might have grown out of the ground.

The name, Lowen, stands for ‘low energy’ – but it’s also Cornish for happy. It’s a zero carbon, energy self-sufficient house using energy from the sun and ground to provide electricity, heating and hot water for guests – and it also sends surplus electricity back to the grid. Check out the display screen in the hallway – you can see how much energy is being produced at any time, for free! Lowen also has a Type 2 EV charging point for electric vehicles.

Everywhere you look there are huge wooden beams, reclaimed from demolition and impossible to replace. We put them together like Meccano and filled in the gaps with straw bales, pegged with hazel twigs, reminiscent of a ‘Grand Designs’ project – covering the structure with lime mortar and breathable Eco paint. We have left some peep holes for you to look inside and hope you will be intrigued as we were when we set out to recreate a building using traditional regional methods of construction.

The living space is perfect for families or groups of friends and great for celebratory stays. Downstairs, it’s open plan, with huge windows offering beautiful views down the valley towards the woods. Facing south, the light filters in throughout the day, making the living space wonderfully inviting. There are squashy sofas to sink into as you watch the wildlife and our chickens and ducks pottering about in the fields outside, gentle LED lighting, designers Guild fabrics and cushions and local art and craft work to enhance the decor.

The house is always warm but to give extra ambience in the winter months there is a stylish modern wood burner (and the logs to feed it in the shed outside!) The lounge also has Sky TV and a 42” LED wall-mounted screen – perfect for a group film screening or showing family films and photographs.

The kitchen is large and bright orange with a range of luxury fittings, including a Smeg retro style fridge/freezer, electric cooker with induction hob, Fired Earth tiles, slate floor and granite work tops. We provide everything you might need to rustle up a family feast or a bumper holiday breakfast fry up.

On the ground floor there’s a twin bedroom with two 3ft single beds and a king size bedroom with a shared wet room with walk in power shower and stylish fitments suitable for guests who use a wheelchair.

The first floor has a super king bedroom with zip-link beds (can be made into twin beds) with lovely views over the valley to the golf course beyond, and en-suite bathroom (shower over the bath). Another double bedroom with a four poster bed and en-suite shower room can be found on the opposite side of the interior glass balcony which gives a wonderful feeling of space and light.

Outside, there’s is a sheltered patio with outdoor furniture and barbeque perfect for al fresco group get-togethers. There’s a hot tub in the garden with glorious views over the fields by day and the star-strewn sky at night.