Experience Off Grid Living on a Forest Retreat in Wales
An off grid retreat at Eco Retreats is a brilliant way to experience off grid living for a short time. Many guests are drawn to the idea of living off the grid, and almost everyone tells us that life without electricity is surprisingly comfortable. It also encourages a slower pace of life, helping people become more aware of the energy we use every day.
Our off grid holidays in the UK offer the perfect balance between comfort and simplicity, allowing you to reconnect with nature while still enjoying a cosy and well-designed space.
Staying Warm and Comfortable Off Grid
Since we are based in Wales, warmth is one of the most important considerations during an off grid retreat, especially at night. Our Mongolian yurts are well insulated and become wonderfully cosy once the handmade wood-burning stove is lit.
We provide firewood sourced from local, sustainable sources, much of it harvested directly from the working organic farm where Eco Retreats is based. This keeps the experience both environmentally conscious and authentic.
Cooking and Living Off the Grid
Firewood is also used for outdoor cooking, with each yurt featuring a campfire area complete with a tripod and cooking grid. Cooking over an open fire is often a highlight of off grid living, and it even provides heat for our outdoor baths.
For convenience, each yurt also includes a gas hob for indoor cooking, and hot showers are powered by a small gas heater using fresh spring water from the site. While gas is not renewable, our usage is very low, with minimal consumption needed throughout the season.
Simple Living and Better Sleep
Lighting in our forest yurts is provided by tealights and small rechargeable camping lights. The simplicity of off grid living means there is very little wasted energy, and guests quickly adapt to a more natural rhythm of light and dark.
Being away from artificial lighting and digital distractions helps many guests sleep deeply, often enjoying the best night’s rest they’ve had in a long time during their off grid holiday.
Food Storage Without Electricity
One of the most common questions about off grid holidays is how food is stored. At Eco Retreats, we use eco-cool pots, traditional clay pots lined with sand and cooled with water. These act as a natural fridge and are surprisingly effective at keeping food fresh for several days.
This simple solution is a great example of how off grid living can be both practical and sustainable.
Our Experience Living Off Grid
Before creating Eco Retreats, we lived completely off grid as a family in South Africa. With just three solar panels powering our small eco-house, we learned first-hand how to manage energy carefully and live more consciously.
Our setup included low-energy appliances, minimal lighting and careful planning around energy use. Off grid living taught us to be mindful of both energy consumption and natural conditions like weather.
Many of the ideas we use at Eco Retreats today, such as gas-powered water heating and low-energy systems, come from this real-life experience.
Living More Sustainably
One of the biggest lessons from off grid living is how much energy we use without thinking. Even small changes, such as choosing low-energy appliances, can make a significant difference.
A short off grid retreat often highlights how high our usual energy consumption is and inspires guests to make simple, positive changes when they return home. These changes often lead to a better quality of life and a deeper connection with nature.
If you’re interested in a slower, nature-focused escape, you can also explore our natural retreats, designed to help you fully unwind in peaceful surroundings.
Experience Off Grid Living for Yourself
If you’re curious about off grid living and want to experience it for yourself, there’s no better way than staying in a peaceful natural setting.
At Eco Retreats, our secluded forest yurts are located within the southern part of Eryri National Park, offering a truly immersive off grid holiday experience surrounded by woodland, wildlife and flowing rivers.
Explore our off grid holidays in the UK and plan your stay.