£750 per month

For rent from January to August 2009

A four bedroom maisonette, part of a co-housing community in the greenbelt around the town of Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire at the southern end of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Courtyards Community comprises five households around two open courtyards: one is to the north and the other to the south of number 83. The communal hall is used all year round for monthly meals, fortnightly meetings of the Courtyards directors, communal parties, private parties, a book club, monthly dance: The Wave (inspired by 'five rhythms'), ping-pong and games afternoons. The 8 acres of land are shared by residents. Many people grow their own food. There is a tree house, children's play area, bonfire area and tennis court. Also shared are the hot tub (wood-fuelled), sauna, and a non-heated, open-air swimming pool (built in 2006). With our neighbours at Frankleigh Co-Flats, we publish the regular newsletter, "Flip".

Bradford on Avon station is a 20-minute walk across the fields and connects to Bath Spa in 15 minutes, Bristol Temple Meads in 35 minutes, Weymouth in 1 hour 50 minutes. Bradford on Avon is a former mill-town nestling in the dramatic Avon valley. There is a weekly farmer's market and many good-quality restaurants and pubs. The Georgian Tea Room is well worth trying if you're visiting. The "Cottage Coop" wholefood, fair-trade café is nextdoor to Bishopston Trading (fair-trade clothes). There are a number of local artists. The Wiltshire Music Centre offers a full programme of classical, folk, world music and jazz and is a 20-minute walk across the fields. The annual music festivals at Trowbridge ("The Village Pump festival"), WOMAD, Glastonbury are within easy reach. For theatres, cinema and all the facilities of a big city, Bath is 7 miles away by car or bike.

There is a successful Steiner-based nursery, Hollyhocks. Bradford on Avon has two primary schools and one secondary school. Christchurch Primary School is 15-minutes' walk and offers an excellent and varied range of opportunities in music.

£390,000

A four/five bedroom maisonette, part of a co-housing community in the village of Laughton in the heart of the South Downs. Laughton Lodge is on the edge of the village and the property has the advantage of sharing 23 acres of community land with the possibility of vegetable growing, (allotments and poly tunnel,) lounging in the wild flower meadow, joining the horse club, walking in the woods, playing in the tree house, camping or enjoying a full size football field.

There is a large community building with kitchen and dining room, large hall for parties, rehearsals, a music room, a games room, and potential office/studio space, for your own private use as well as communal use. Lots of communal activities for adults and children, shared childcare, car sharing possible.

The village has a primary school and the secondary school is three miles away. Steiner Schools and the Dharma school are twelve miles away. There are lots of social events in the village and there is a lively, well-stocked village shop, Post Office and Pub. Brighton twelve miles, London 53 miles, trains straight to London from Glynde (3 miles away) Lewes (5 miles) Uckfield (5 miles) Glyndbourne 2 miles, surrounded by South Downs walks from the front door through bluebell woods up to the hills.

Sustainable Living Opportunity in Sheffield

• Heeley/Meersbrook S8 area
• Attractive 3 bedroomed self-contained flat for sale
• In inner-city mixed and friendly neighbourhood, Sheffield
• The flat is in a block of four with a spacious shared living room and utilities and a large south facing garden
• House purpose built to enable sociable and sustainable living
• Current price: £134,500

For further details:

• ring Jenny on 0114 250 7973
• or Heather 0114 221 7284
• or Laura 0114 258 9813
• or contact Shirebrook via our contact link