1) Bike Shelter

The Bike Shelter is the place to start a tour of the Hockerton housing project. The shed is made predominately from green Oak and is a perfect place to shelter from the rain or have a rest.

 2) Vegetable patch

This is where project members grow their vegetables. Peppers, Tomatoes, and several other vegetables are grown in a poly-tunnel providing them with the warmth they need. All vegetables are grown using organic and perm-aculture principles.

 3) The Old Duck Pond

 The old duck pond is now a valuable water source for the organic land. Water is collected from drainage systems on local barn roofs. There is a solar pump which pumps water to a holding tank, in the center of the organic land. The Solar pump is in operation on Sunny days.

Click to return - Map

4) The Bund

Soil that was excavated from the lake (no 17) was used to create the man made structure called the Bund. The Bund has a multi purpose, reducing the noise pollution from a busy road by providing a barrier at the same time providing the basin for the reservoir (no 5). Willow & Hazel trees have been planted in the bund.

5) The reservoir

This is the central reservation for all non drinking water. It is 2 meters with a length of 25 meters. The reservoir water is collected from nearby fields and gardens and collected in the Sump (no 10) before being pumped into the reservoir.

6) Sand Filter

Before any of the reservoir water can be used it passes through  sand filters which remove any unwanted solids and organic waste, this harvested water is then held in a tank ready for use in showers & Baths, toilets etc,

Click to return - Map

7) Seven Standing Stones

 These stones were placed to mark the original medieval site of the village of Hockerton. This was an important archaeological site and many historical remains were found here and elsewhere on the grounds of the Hockerton Housing Project. The stones were reclaimed from a stonemason who had no further use for them. 

8) Rear view of Hockerton homes

Hundreds of tones of earth were used on the main side of the houses, in order to reduce the implications of the development.  This means you can barely see the homes from the road. This for of earth sheltering compensates for the artificial impact of the houses and restores the green footprint to the area.

 9) The Eco Roof

If you visit Hockerton on a tour, you can easily climb up on the roofs of the homes. from the roof you can see the total contrast of each side. The northern side (rough side) covered in earth/grass. The warmer southern side containing the photovoltaic solar panels, harvesting the suns energy in order to heat and generate the energy needed to run the Hockerton homes.

Click to return - Map

10) The Sump & Septic Tanks

Both The Sump & Septic tanks are hidden by planted vegetation, such as flowers beds and mulberry bushes. Water enters the sump via a series of intricate swales down the side of the road. These culverts collect the water from the surrounding land and direct it into the Sump. The water in the Sump is then pumped into the reservoir (no 5).

Waste from the houses enters the septic tank and eventually after a period of settlement is deposited into a floating reed bed (no 18).   

11) Hockerton Gardens

Every eco-house built, has its own private garden. Some are put to recreational use, other are used to grow organic products.

12) Hockerton Sustainable Resource Centre

Because of the popularity of the Hockerton housing project with the public  a learning centre was created(2004). Providing an area where exhibitions could take place and also hosting a project office so that future events could be planned. The building also provides visitors with public bathrooms. 

The building itself conforms to Carbon Zero standards using renewable energy sources such as solar energy. The southern face of the building overlooks the lake, woodland and wildlife pond, making it a perfect spot for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the Hockerton housing project.  

Click to return - Map

13) Wind Turbine

This wind turbine provides approximately 6,000kWhrs of wind energy to the Hockerton homes.

14) Iskra wind turbine

This provides a similar amount of energy, but goes towards powering the sustainable resources centre and the on-site electric car.

15) The Pond

Unlike most ponds this natural pond is fish free, and therefore able to attract many invertebrates such as dragonfly. It also provdes a valuable sources of moisture for aquatic (marginal) plants such as bulrushes with in turn provides valuable cover for local wildlife.

Click to return - Map

16) Bridge Sculpture

This amazing bridge sculpture was designed (2003) by Hockertons on-site artist/resident. Linking the two sides of the lake the bride is built from reclaimed wood and provides access from the sustainable Resources centre to open spaces often used for events.

17) The Lake

The lake is used for a number of activities such as the fish-farming of Carp and Rudd, base for the reed fed system for treating sewage (no 18), feeding the pond (no 15), keeping the lakes length constant and for recreation use, such as boating.

18) Reed Fed Sewage treatment system.

This system treats the outflow taken from the septic tanks through a highly active eco-system. The bacteria in the water gets a plentiful supply of oxygen from the reeds, this in turn is able to digest the pathogens within the sewage. 

The lake is tested on a regular basis an always meets bathing water quality. 

Click to return - Map

19) compost bins

composting takes place in all the eco-homes & buildings in Hockerton. Compost  bins are provided for the local comunity to use. The resulting compost is used to grow vegtables and grow vegatation.

20) The Orchard & Bee Hive

Both the apple trees and the bee hive are good examples of nature working in harmony. The apple trees benifit from being pollonated by the bees and the trees provided nectar & pollen for the  bees. Honey is collected from the bee hives and used throughout Hockertons households.