BedZed (Beddington Zero Energy Development)is the UK's first and largest carbon neutral eco-community. Situated in the South London borough of Sutton, BedZed provides 100 comfortable and futuristically-styled homes with community facilities and workspace for another 100 people, without contributing any extra CO2 to the atmosphere.

BedZed was developed by the environmental entrepreneurs, Bioregional, in partnership with the Peabody Trust, designed by Bill Dunster Architects and completed in 2002. Since then it has become a world-renowned eco-housing development and a popular destination for visitors.

The BedZed Visitor Centre is at the heart of the community, providing a range of facilities and services including the BedZed Exhibition. This encourages people to find out how they can live a "one planet lifestyle" and be inspired by the practical sustainable projects that BioRegional are developing, such as The Sustainable Living Programme, Car Clubs, paper recycling and manufacture, providing wood chip for energy use. The exhibition also includes a BedZed show home which enables you to learn what its like to live in a sustainable house.

The Visitor Centre is also the hub for the BedZed Tour, which offers a deeper insight into the BedZed approach. This looks at the green lifestyles strategies at BedZED; how we have reduced waste, transport emissions and the ecological footprint of food consumption. We also look at the energy and water strategies; how energy and water consumption have been reduced and how we generate energy on site, and collect and recycle water.

The Tour, which needs to be booked in advance, includes light refreshments, costs £15 per person (£22 for business/local govmt.)Lunch can be provided, if booked in advance, with the option of an individual lunch room. BedZed also provides space which can be hired for seminars, workshops or other events, in its Pavillion - a truely inspiring venue. Whether you're a professional or a layperson regarding sustainable living, BedZed is definately worth a visit.