“Faun Lodge” Hebden Bridge
You’re in luck! The resident faun has gone on his travels and has given permission for you to stay in his oh-so-special woodland hide-away!
Escape the challenges of the world and be enchanted with the simple yet magical eco-built “Faun Lodge”, with its turf roof, mosaic floor and wood burner. Hidden right in the heart of the semi-rural town of Hebden Bridge in a waterfront natural setting which will encourage you to dream your wildest dreams by day and by night.
The space
From the moment you step through the gate and head down the stone flag steps towards Faun Lodge. you will be immersed in a secret world of wonder, walking the pathways of ancient times. These pathways , known in pre-Christian times as “desire lines”, were created as people made pilgrimages from higher ground, down to the valley bottom where the two rivers meet, just beyond Faun Lodge.
Set within a natural, wild garden of ash, elm and willow trees - home to families of robins, thrushes, blue tits, squirrels and bats - Faun Lodge is a “roundhouse” with a turf roof, constructed from sycamore and unique up-cycled materials. Simple yet charming, it features a beautiful mosaic floor, in the style of Spanish architect, Gaudi, with its central mirrored cosmic sun, surrounded by the twelve signs of the zodiac and its tree of life as you enter. There is an Art Deco oak double bed with a new comfortable mattress.
For autumn and winter guests, there’s an electric blanket to make sure your toes are cosy. Super-warm throws are provided all year round so you can wrap up inside and out as you watch the boats go by.
Enjoy a glass of wine by candlelight and fall asleep under fairy lights in your own cosy little den, to the sound of logs gently crackling in the wood burner. Wake up surrounded by birdsong and your own natural water feature where the two rivers meet enthusiastically just below the garden.
Feed the resident ducks, or - depending on the season - perhaps throw open the double doors to marvel at the visiting Canada Geese or darting swallows. You might even get a visit from Opal, the beautiful ,white three-legged curly cat as she meanders through the primroses!
Facilities and Services:
Yes, you can charge your phone! Whilst beautifully simple, with its woodburner and candles, Faun Lodge has electricity, with soft lamplight and an optional plug-in heater so you can even be warm whilst building your fire. (Please don’t tell any visiting fauns if you resort to this unnatural behaviour!).
There’s an amp, speakers and an aux lead so you can connect your own music. Clara has left you her retro I-pod with hundreds of albums to choose from; also a portable DVD player and a selection of the faun’s all-time favourite films.
There’s a hairdryer and an iron is available on request.
Fresh drinking water,is available from The Washroom. You can also fill the kettle there. There's spme Italian coffee, a cafetière, a variety of teas and sugar.
So that you may snack and sup to your heart’s content, the faun has kindly left you his favourite glasses, mugs, plates, bowls, bread knife, breadboard, cutlery for two - and of course no faun could live without a bottle opener!
The Washroom:
Of course, whilst you will be elated that you can’t wash up, you can use the 1930's rolltop bath inside The Washroom, situated within the private garden, a few steps away on a higher terrace of the garden, with frosted windows for privacy. Both the bath and the little Victorian sink have instant hot running water. There’s a wall heater to keep you cosy. The Washroom also houses The Throne!
The Throne:
“The Throne” is a self-built up-cycled Victorian mahogany compost loo, which means you are contributing to saving up to 500,000 litres of drinking water each year and helping to grow the faun’s blackcurrants which he likes to infuse his gin with!
Compost Loo Virgins:
Tried and tested, this is a surprisingly pleasant experience.
After you’ve used the loo, there’s a lovely brass scoop to sprinkle a generous amount of pine wood shavings from an antique urn. This neutralises odours very effectively.
There is fragrant mist spray, made from essential oils of lemon and lavender - but because there is a “separator” inside The Throne - your “waste” is already no longer waste - as it is transferred after your stay, inside the bio-degradable composting bag of wood shavings with the eco-friendly bamboo toilet roll provided, directly to the composter and will become beautiful, rich compost after 6-12 months.
The Weather:
For rainy weather, you have permission to use the faun’s umbrella for the short walk up the steps to The Washroom. The faun recommends you bring dressing gowns and footwear to slip on.
There are floodlights on sensors outside Faun Lodge and The Washroom and torch for midnight visits. Please use phone torches if you're returning to the property in the dark.
For sunny days and balmy evenings, there’s a circular terrace with table and chairs. Feel free to throw some logs into the burner.
There is no private parking but there is on-road parking along the street above Faun Lodge as you approach.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ONLY ACCESS TO FAUN LODGE IS VIA SEVERAL STEPS. THERE ARE HAND RAILS TO ASSIST YOU, HOWEVER THIS ACCOMODATION WOULD NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ANYONE WITH DIFFICULTY GETTING UP AND DOWN STAIRS.
Guest access
Guests will have access to Faun Lodge, Washroom, the Woodland Garden area and the outdoor dining terrace.
Other things to note
It's important that guests realise before booking that the only access to Faun Lodge is via several steps. There are handrails for support, but there is no disabled access.
There is a public pathway to the canal towpath at the side of the garden and a small community of residents so we ask that you are mindful about peace and quiet at a reasonable hour. Also that there is no private off-road parking so cars can park on-road, which may be several meters away from the gate to the accommodation.
