A luxury lodge which was featured on Channel 4 has opened it’s doors in the middle of ancient woodland.

Looking Glass Lodge, which was completed in October 2022, includes a glass fronted design set in the heart of a forest.

The lodge, which was sustainably designed including locally sourced flowers and keyrings, benefited from £200,000 in funding provided by HSBC.

On the lodge’s website, owners Rik and Lindsay Goodman said: “Biophilic principles were of utmost importance to us when designing the lodge. Through this, our intention has been to create a closer connection to nature through the way the lodge has been built, using natural resources to create a sense of harmony between the architecture and the natural world.

The Argus: the lodge's floating wood burnerthe lodge's floating wood burner (Image: Tom Bird)

“We have worked hard to match luxury with sustainable, green credentials, and new technology. The lodge has been sensitively built by local craftsmen, and inside has a warm and welcoming feel with all the home comforts you could need.”

The lodge, set next to a giant redwood tree in woodland near Fairlight in Hastings, featured in Channel 4 show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

The project includes full-height panoramic windows as well as a stone bath and a floating log burner.

The Argus: The lodge's stone bathThe lodge's stone bath (Image: Tom Bird)

The open plan lodge also includes underfloor heating, designer furniture and a record player.

Looking Glass Lodge benefited from £200,000 in funding from HSBC which allowed the project to mainly use businesses and craftspeople from the area for the development.

Mr and Mrs Goodman said they were “extremely grateful” to the bank who helped to make the project “much easier” than anticipated.

The Argus: Looking Glass LodgeLooking Glass Lodge (Image: Tom Bird)

Ashley Morley, relationship manager at HSBC UK, added: “We are pleased to be supporting innovative start-up businesses such as the Looking Glass Lodge. This new residential concept will provide visitors with a unique experience and contribute to the local economy.”

The lodge also offers photography sessions within the grounds as well as wellness sessions and a range of home cooked meals.

The Argus: Looking Glass Lodge exteriorLooking Glass Lodge exterior (Image: Tom Bird)

Bookings, costing £590 for a two-night stay, are now being taken on the lodge’s website.