Your off-grid holiday is a self-catering experience. Each forest yurt has a two-ring gas cooker inside (gas bottles supplied), with kettle, saucepans, frying pan and a good stock of kitchen utensils, crockery and cutlery. There is a tap with fresh spring water next to each yurt and a water filter inside – carrying your water into the yurt is just one of the ways we help our guests to slow down, live more consciously and appreciate the simple things in life on this off-grid holiday! We provide organic, fair trade tea, coffee, hot chocolate, sugar, salt and pepper in each forest yurt. We also provide firewood, kindling and firelighters for the wood-burning stove in the yurt and instructions if needed are in the Welcome book in the yurt.
We’re 25 minutes from the nearest shops so we recommend you stock up on all the food and drinks you’ll need for your off-grid holiday before you come. Machynlleth has a great market on Wednesdays selling a range of locally produced and/or organic meat and vegetables and local crafts. You can also visit Dyfi Wholefoods on the High Street and The Blasau deli close to the Clock Tower. There are also three supermarkets in Machynlleth.
Please note as it’s an off-grid holiday, there is no electric fridge or freezer in the yurt or anywhere on site. There’s an eco-cool pot (clay pot with sand cooled by cold water) which can keep drinks and food cool, and a cooler box so that guests who would like can bring ice packs for food storage. If you’re in River yurt, the river is the best place for naturally cooling your drinks!
Off-grid holidays come with off-grid bathrooms, and the outdoor bathing with a view is always a highlight of the experience of staying with us! At Eco Retreats, you’ll find private outdoor wood-fired baths and hot outdoor showers powered by gas heater (please note that River yurt’s hot bath water is also powered by gas heater, for those who prefer not to build a fire for bathing).
Please note the outdoor baths take 1-2 hours to heat up so require some forward planning – and again, build consciousness of our use of resources as we see how much fuel is required to warm a bath – and encourage us to live life at a slower pace as we patiently feed the fire ready for our bath. Our private eco loos for your yurt only are simple non-flushing composting toilets.
Eco Retreats is deep in the Dyfi forest, near Machynlleth, Powys, Wales. When you confirm your booking, we’ll send through the map of how to reach us.
The nearest train station is Machynlleth, which has regular trains from Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Guests can arrange transfers from the station directly with Peter’s taxi on 07969 997039 or 01654 749065. It will cost approx. £20 one way and will take about 20-25 mins. Please book ahead as there aren’t many taxis and they can get booked up at busy times of day/year! The drivers know Eco Retreats site but you can bring along our map just in case.
Check-in and check-out: Our arrival time for the start of your off-grid holiday is from 3pm; check out is at 10am on your last day (we’re happy to be flexible on this if we don’t have guests arriving on the same day – please check with us on arrival).
Clothing: You will need warm clothes, wellingtons, waterproofs and sturdy walking boots for the outdoors in the event of bad weather. We also recommend that you bring midge and mosquito repellent and sunscreen if your stay is in the summer.
Bathrooms: Please note you will need to bring your own towels. We provide loo roll, hand soap, shampoo and shower/bath gel.
Weather: The yurts are heated by woodburning stoves and will be warm when the stove is lit, but please bear in mind the vagaries of the Welsh countryside and prepare accordingly.
Pets: Unfortunately as we are situated on an organic sheep farm, we are not able to accommodate any pets on site.
Mobile phone signal: We have limited mobile phone signal at Eco Retreats (though it does seem to improve every year) and many of our guests like to take advantage and enjoy some peace and quiet without the distractions of their buzzing phones and social media! The strongest signal is at Ash Valley yurt and the weakest signal is at River yurt. In case you need to find a better signal, head up as the signal improves as you get out of the valley.
Charging phones and appliances: As it’s an off-grid holiday,there is no power in the forest yurt or anywhere on site. We strongly recommend guests keep phones switched off except in the case of emergency to fully experience the power of digital detox. For anyone who would like to keep a phone charged, we recommend bringing with you a battery pack, solar charger or car charger for use if you leave site.
Staff: Please note there are generally no staff on site during your stay (except at specific days/times when preparing for guest arrivals) and there is no night warden on site at night.
Please note: A generally good level of fitness is necessary as you will be walking on the uneven or hilly ground. Some of the yurts are a walk of about 200-300m from the car park and you should be prepared to carry your bags to the forest yurt.
Please click here to read our full terms and conditions or contact us if you have any questions – we’re always happy to help!