Coed Hills Visitor Centre is situated in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan, just 8 miles west of Cardiff. In an area packed with ancient history and breathtaking beaches, Coed (pronounced 'coyd', a Welsh word meaning 'woods') is a family day out that could change the way you view the world. The whole site is run on alternative energy, from high-tech wind turbines and biomass underfloor heaters, to solar showers made out of scrap radiators. With its permaculture gardens, the place is an inspiration for the budding and more experienced eco-conscious. Residents and volunteers live in railway carriages, Mongolian Yurts, log cabins, tipis and straw bailed buildings. At the heart of Coed Hills lies the core community. A group of people embracing the new and old in order to lead a more sustainable existence, both ecologically and socially. Since the autumn equinox, in the last quarter of 2008, there have been great changes at Coed. The number of residents has grown, bringing new energy that has allowed some great projects to develop throughout the last few months including exciting new structures growing in the forest and a woodland camp area with earth oven and sculptural stove. Visitors can take some aspect of our existence away with them and adapt it to their own lifestyle. The community is happy to engage with visitors, sharing their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for sustainable living. Courtesy of www.livinginthefuture.org