South Downs Eco Lodge
A charity-run eco lodge in a retrofitted 1970s military building on a 55 acre woodland site, heated by a ground source heat pump.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.2/5 · 33 reviews
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Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 65%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 3/4.
The Centre manages its 55 acre site for biodiversity, creating new chalk grassland and native wildflower meadows and coppicing its woodland.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Energy and climate, level 3/4.
The 2021 eco retrofit added rooftop photovoltaic panels, a ground source heat pump for heating and hot water, MVHR and triple glazing.
Source · 2026-10-29 - Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 3/4.
The lodge is a fabric-first retrofit of a former Ministry of Defence block rather than a new build, using timber from a woodland under a mile away and sheep's wool insulation.
Source · 2026-10-29
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 3/4 · Several evidenced systems, such as protected habitat on site, native restoration and a wildlife programme, with no synthetic pesticides on the land | 22.5 / 30 points | The Centre manages its 55 acre site for biodiversity, creating new chalk grassland and native wildflower meadows and coppicing its woodland. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 3/4 · Several systems, such as on site renewables plus at least 80% LED lighting, natural ventilation and metered monitoring; the stay's own vehicles and boats count here | 11.25 / 15 points | The 2021 eco retrofit added rooftop photovoltaic panels, a ground source heat pump for heating and hot water, MVHR and triple glazing. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Water | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, or taps and showers at or under 8.5 litres a minute | 5 / 10 points | The compost toilet page explains that the site uses composting toilets, which need little or no water. “Composting toilets use little or no water.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as composting all organic waste or sorted recycling | 5 / 10 points | A urine-separating composting toilet on the campsite turns waste into compost for the site's fruit trees. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 2/4 · A named own garden or named local farms supply part of the menu | 7.5 / 15 points | Breakfast is vegetarian and the café serves only vegetarian and vegan food. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 3/4 · Several practices, such as reuse of existing structures, local natural materials, passive design and a small footprint on the land | 11.25 / 15 points | The lodge is a fabric-first retrofit of a former Ministry of Defence block rather than a new build, using timber from a woodland under a mile away and sheep's wool insulation. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published | 2.5 / 5 points | The solar page publishes specific systems and figures, including the annual output of the solar hot water panels. “The panels produce around 3,272kWh a year (sufficient to power three households).” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.
Purity, what touches your body
1.3/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 7.9%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 25 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source | 5 / 20 points | The cafe page says it serves vegetarian and vegan food but names no organic or own garden source. “The Beech Cafe offers an array of delicious vegetarian and vegan food.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Linen, towels and mattresses | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The bed and breakfast page claims organic linen and towels without stating composition or certification. “All rooms are ensuite and boast organic linen and towels with eco friendly toiletries included.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Air and quiet | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | Not applicable here | Excluded |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
People, ownership, work and community
2.4/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 35%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 2/4 · A named owner, with the share held locally or by the family stated | 15 / 30 points | The awards page names the owner as the Earthworks Trust, a registered charity. “The Earthworks Trust (Charity No. 1079866).” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 25 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Community benefit | 20% | 2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training | 10 / 20 points | The Fair Share Fund page describes a named bursary that cuts the cost of school visits for children in schools with many free school meals. “This fund will provide schools with financial support to allow children to have a place on a visit.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 2/4 · Public access to the beach, river or land kept open | 7.5 / 15 points | The about page says families, schools, walkers and anyone interested are welcome on the site. “we welcome families and schools; professionals and special interest groups; walkers and cyclists on the South Downs Way” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The low impact building page says a local coppice worker and apprentices made the roof shingles on site, with no maker named. “The shingles were made on site by a local coppice worker and his apprentices.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
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Collected research sources
These source pages were captured on 2026-10-02. Capturing a page does not establish a rating or verify its claims. Only the reviewed pillar evidence above earns assessment points. Missing findings remain unavailable.
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