Coffee table from a storm-felled tree The master bedroom at Balebarn Eco Lodge Recognise this? It’s a recycled insulator from electricity cables Silver jubilee ,mugs rescued and used as downlighters Milk churn standard light at Balebarn Lodge Living area, Balebarn Lodge Bunks that aren’t flimsy… Door knobs and lightbulbs reycled as coat hooks Balebarn Lodge’s kitchen table locally made from reclaimed wood. Looking into the kitchen area The small double room at Balebarn Lodge Bathroom with over bath shower (but there’s a wetroom shower too) The twin room at Balebarn Eco Lodge Some like an upright chair with arms – and some like the jeans seat and the tie cushion. Shade from a hanging basket and beads Bedside lights from hedgerow logs and OS maps Some reading material for your Devon holiday Extra storage from reclaimed planks Milk churn lamp at Balebarn Lodge Curtain details Can’t drink this one! Magazine ceiling papering in the hideyhole Uninterupted views from Balebarn Lodge Upcycled chapel chairs Cut log coffee table at Balebarn Lodge The Hot Tub at Balebarn Eco Lodge Relax in the Hot Tub, Balebarn Relax in the Hot Tub, Balebarn
Balebarn Lodge is Wheatland Farm’s largest and most luxury Devon eco lodge. It’s also our most accessible holiday accommodation. Lime plastered and insulated with straw bales, it is modern yet rustic. Inside, it’s quirky, yet full of modern comforts. Its huge veranda has ample room and gives you glorious views of the wildlife pond. There’s a private Hot Tub (optional) and a dedicated camp fire spot just for this lodge. Read on for more information, or check availability.
Award Winning Eco Lodge
Wheatland Farm has won lots of tourism awards over the years, and Balebarn Eco Lodge has long been one of the star attractions. It was the main reason Wheatland Farm won GOLD for sustainability in the Visit England Tourism Awards 2015. That was a few years ago now, but our approach remains the same. And it’s all the more important in this era of growing greenwash. The judges said Balebarn Lodge “Showed what is possible in terms of efficiency, ethical purchasing and upcycling. It further adds to the existing all-embracing experience offered by Wheatland which helps people to re-connect with nature and the simple pleasures of life – without having to be ‘wacky green’. Inspiring stuff!”
This Devon eco lodge is an ultra-low carbon building with straw bale construction (grown 3 fields away), recycled bottle roof insulation, 100% renewable power (most generated on site), and a host of quirky eco accommodation features from frosted porthole windows in the bathroom (recycled microwave turntables) to cushions stitched from charity shop silk ties.
Details like the original pillars and the wooden curtain supports (cut from our own hedgerows) give you a wonderful sense of place. This is rural Devon, after all. So you won’t find pictures of the beach or little wooden seagulls.
Eco Lodge Features
Balebarn Eco Lodge offers holiday accommodation with many features:
- Double bedroom with queen sized bed.
- Twin room that can become a king-sized double.
- Small double bedroom that can become a single to give more space.
- Bunk room with sturdy bunks.
- Open plan living area with wood burner and local Devon wood.
- Main bathroom with bath, over bath shower, loo, and basin.
- Second bathroom with loo, basin and wetroom style shower.
- Kitchen area with induction hob, oven, microwave combi oven, dishwasher and fridge freezer.
- Upright piano
- Optional Hot Tub (£55 per stay).
- Electric car charging nearby (at the farmhouse).
Outside Facilities at Balebarn Lodge
If you’re holidaying at Balebarn Eco Lodge you get the rest of Wheatland Farm’s facilities to enjoy too:
- Boats to borrow on the wildlife pond.
- Your very own campfire site by the eco lodge
- Bikes to borrow (for kids and adults)
- 21 acres to explore (or take a free guided walk)
- Wildlife at your doorstep
- Mown badminton pitch
- Outdoor chess table
Eco Lodge Accommodation for Groups
For groups of up to 12, Balebarn Eco Lodge (sleeps 8) works well with Otter Cottage, which is just a stone’s throw away and sleeps a further 4. If you need space for an even bigger party, add 6 in Beech Eco Lodge (which also has a Hot Tub) or 4 in each of Honeysuckle and Nuthatch Eco Lodges
Unlike glamping, an eco lodge wont hold your holiday hostage to the weather. It isn’t ‘out of a box’ or ‘on trend’ fashion either. Instead, your accommodation will have plenty of quirky style. Balebarn is a completely individual Devon eco lodge. It emanates an authentic belief that there’s a better life to be had through sustainability. Come and experience it for yourself, and take some of that inspiration home.
Hot Tubs at Wheatland Farm’s Devon Eco Lodges
Love Hot Tubs? Or does the idea leave you cold? Don’t worry, the choice is yours. Both Beech Lodge and Balebarn Lodge have Hot Tubs, but Nuthatch and Honeysuckle Eco Lodges do not (well, Honeysuckle Lodge has a bookable outside bath / eco hot tub for one). Even in Beech and Balebarn Lodges, the Hot Tubs are an optional extra, at a cost of £55 per stay*. This covers the water, heating it with 100% renewable energy, pool chemicals, daily checks and an extra towel each (sorry, with the hike in electricity prices, we’ve had to raise the price).
Eco Lodge With Electric Car Charging
Wheatland Farm has an electric car charging point at the old farmhouse. At present we have a 2Kw three pin socket outlet and a ‘commando’ style socket, so please bring your older-style cables or adaptors. We charge at cost for the supply. Later in 2022 we will have an untethered PodPoint 7.5Kw, where you can charge your electric car and pay with the PodPoint app. We only have the one charging point – so if it’s important to you, please be in touch when you book your holiday. Please note, you can’t charge from the lodge’s domestic power points.
What’s near Balebarn eco lodge?
Fiona’s farm shop is a 10 minute walk up the road from Wheatland Farm (or borrow a farm bike…). Fiona will deliver, too, if you order ahead. Winkleigh village is a mile and half away and has two good pubs, a small convenience store and several other shops including the renown Mad Butcher of Winkleigh but also the vegan-friendly Catkin Blooms florist and coffee shop. Wine and groceries can be delivered.
After a great day exploring Devon, relax with a glass of wine, watch the birds from the Hot Tub, or dip your toes in the pond before enjoying a peaceful BBQ.
Don’t forget to check out our extensive list of things do do within 30 miles of Balebarn Eco Lodge – from sightseeing to adventure days and Devon beaches you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Eco Lodge Access Questions?
Need to know something specific about the eco accommodation? Check out our full access statement or email or ring Wheatland Farm with queries. We can loan some equipment to save space in your car, make up the rooms to suit your needs, and hopefully help ensure your holiday is hitch free for everyone. Balebarn Lodge often hosts groups with mixed needs. We understand how important it is to get family and friends together.
Looking for a Devon holiday with your dog?
Your dog is welcome at Wheatland Farm. In Balebarn there is a £20 charge per pet, maximum of two per booking. We ask all visitors to keep dogs on leads to protect our wildlife and other guests’ privacy. We can direct you to excellent local dog walks – ask at the farmhouse or browse our ‘things to do’ web pages.
‘Small Print’ for Wheatland Farm’s Eco Lodges
Click here to see the terms and conditions – they’re pretty standard stuff.
