The mill is at the heart of the Hardcastle Crags estate

Gibson Mill in a wooded valley at Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire has been converted into a visitor centre by the National Trust.

Light, heat and power will come from natural sources and the only mains connection will be the phone line.

Catering facilities will be reduced at times when there is not enough water or sunshine to produce electricity.

It has taken 18 months to turn Gibson Mill into a cafe and interpretation centre.

Dance hall

Guy Laurie, property manager at Hardcastle Crags explained that the National Trust has owned Gibson Mill for 50 years.

After its life as a cotton mill, for a time the building was used as a dance hall.

"We are now very excited at taking the mill into the third phase of its life," Mr Laurie continued.

"The combination of technologies used, the size of the building and the lack of any link-up to the national grid make the mill unique in Great Britain.

"We are very excited at reintroducing this historic building to the public and demonstrating sustainable technology to a new audience."

Rob Jarman, head of sustainability at the National Trust added: "A mixture of traditional and 21st Century technologies are being used to light, heat and power the mill as the building enters its third life-span.