The Hobbit House started its life after our last chicken was taken by the fox. The area looked so empty. We thought a summer house would look nice but after searching for the right one, and failing, we decided to build our own.
The Hobbit House is very special to me as I was quite ill during the early stages. The planning helped me focus on something that was creative and fun and now that it is nearly completed, it's clear that there is nothing quite like it! It was designed as a magical space overlooking the pond to share with family and friends with lots of different uses including the odd nights sleepover for the grandchildren.
I drew a picture and a floor plan (no measurements) and had a large hole dug at the bottom of the garden, from there the house grew organically round a framework of eleven thick posts. It's made of wood, stone, cob and straw. We tried hard to be eco friendly, reuse materials and source them locally. We were donated the Windows, the 5 tons of clay was waste from our local brick works and a lot of the wood was off cuts from the saw mill destined for the fire. My husband has got very good at woodwork!
During the second year of the build we have been fortunate to have help and guidance from Huff and Puff Construction who taught us how to build in cob and straw.. We are now in the final stages of fitting out and decorating the inside