Off grid holidays in the UK offer a rare chance to disconnect from busy modern life and reconnect with nature. At Eco Retreats, our forest yurts provide a peaceful and comfortable base for guests looking to experience true off grid stays in the UK while still enjoying thoughtful facilities and cosy surroundings. Off grid holidays are also a wonderful experience for families and children, giving everyone the chance to explore the outdoors, discover wildlife and spend meaningful time together away from everyday distractions.
Your off grid holiday is a self-catering experience designed to combine simplicity with comfort. Each forest yurt includes a two-ring gas cooker inside (gas bottles supplied), along with a kettle, saucepans, frying pan and a well-stocked selection of kitchen utensils, crockery and cutlery.
There is a tap with fresh spring water next to each yurt, as well as a water filter inside. Carrying water into the yurt is just one of the small ways our off grid holidays encourage guests to slow down, live more consciously and appreciate the simple pleasures of off the grid holidays.
To help you settle in, we provide organic fair-trade tea, coffee, hot chocolate, sugar, salt and pepper in every forest yurt. Firewood, kindling and firelighters are also supplied for the wood-burning stove inside the yurt, with instructions available in the welcome book.
Our aim is to make off grid holidays in Wales comfortable and enjoyable while still keeping the experience authentic and connected to nature.
Eco Retreats is located around 25 minutes from the nearest shops, so we recommend stocking up on food and drinks before arriving for your off grid holiday.
The nearby town of Machynlleth is well worth visiting on the way. Every Wednesday the town hosts a popular market selling locally produced and organic meat, vegetables and crafts. You can also visit Dyfi Wholefoods on the High Street or The Blasau deli near the Clock Tower. There are also three supermarkets available for everything you may need during your off grid stay.
Because these are genuine off grid holidays in the UK, there is no electric fridge or freezer in the yurts or elsewhere on site. Instead, we provide an eco-cool pot, a traditional clay pot cooled with sand and water, which helps keep drinks and food cool. We also provide cooler boxes so guests can bring ice packs if needed.
If you’re staying in River Yurt, the flowing river itself becomes a wonderfully natural way to cool drinks during warm days, a small but memorable part of off the grid holidays in Wales. Many families enjoy this part of the experience, with children often loving the simple pleasures of cooling drinks in the river or exploring the surrounding woodland.
One of the highlights of off the grid holidays is the opportunity to experience outdoor bathing surrounded by nature.
At Eco Retreats, each yurt has its own private outdoor bathroom area. Guests can enjoy wood-fired outdoor baths and hot outdoor showers powered by gas heaters. For guests staying in River Yurt, the hot bath water is also powered by gas for those who prefer not to build a fire before bathing.
The outdoor baths take around one to two hours to heat, which encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of off grid living. Building the fire and preparing the bath becomes part of the relaxing experience of off grid holidays in Wales.
Each yurt also has its own private eco toilet. These simple composting toilets are non-flushing and designed to minimise environmental impact while remaining comfortable and easy to use.
Although Eco Retreats offers a peaceful off the grid holiday experience, it remains surprisingly accessible.
The retreat is located deep within the Dyfi forest near Machynlleth in Powys, making it an ideal destination for off grid holidays in Wales. Once your booking is confirmed, we will send detailed directions and a map to help you find us easily.
The nearest train station is Machynlleth, which has regular services from Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Guests travelling by train can arrange a transfer from the station with Peter’s Taxi on 07969 997039 or 01654 749065 The journey takes around 20–25 minutes and typically costs around £20 one way.
As there are limited taxis available in the area, we recommend booking your transfer in advance, particularly during busy periods.
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!
Off grid holidays are stays where accommodation operates independently from the main electricity grid and modern infrastructure. Instead of relying on mains electricity, off grid holidays use alternative systems and simple living to create a closer connection with nature. At Eco Retreats, our off grid holidays focus on comfort, simplicity and sustainability, allowing guests to slow down and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Off grid holidays in the UK can be found in remote countryside locations, forests and mountain areas where nature takes centre stage. Eco Retreats is located in the beautiful Dyfi forest near Machynlleth in North Wales, offering peaceful off grid stays in the UK surrounded by woodland, wildlife and flowing rivers.
Yes, off grid holidays can still be very comfortable. At Eco Retreats, each forest yurt includes a wood-burning stove, cooking facilities, fresh spring water, comfortable beds and private outdoor bathrooms. While there is no mains electricity, everything is thoughtfully designed to provide a relaxing and enjoyable off grid holiday experience.
For off grid holidays in Wales, we recommend bringing food, clothing suitable for the weather, towels and any personal essentials. Your yurt will already be equipped with cooking equipment, firewood, basic kitchen supplies and other essentials. Because there are limited shops nearby, many guests prefer to bring their groceries with them before arriving.
Yes. Off grid holidays can be a fantastic experience for families and children. Staying in nature allows children to explore woodland, discover wildlife, play outdoors and enjoy simple activities away from screens and busy daily routines. Many families find that off grid holidays provide a memorable opportunity to slow down and spend quality time together.
Yes, many people choose off the grid holidays specifically for the opportunity to switch off from technology and reconnect with nature. Although mobile signal may be available in some areas, Eco Retreats encourages guests to embrace a digital detox and enjoy the peaceful environment of the forest.
Off grid holidays are becoming increasingly popular as people look for ways to escape busy lifestyles and spend more time in nature. Staying in a peaceful off grid location allows guests to slow down, relax, and experience a simpler way of living surrounded by natural landscapes.
Eco Retreats is one of the most remote off grid holiday locations in the UK, situated around 5 miles off the main road, yet still easily accessible by car from major cities including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and London. We are also one of the longest-running off grid holiday sites with yurts in the UK, having been in continuous operation for over 20 years.
We offer a unique combination of off grid living, ancient woodland surroundings and peaceful seclusion. Located within the beautiful Dyfi forest in Wales, our forest yurts provide a rare opportunity to enjoy authentic off grid holidays in the UK while still benefiting from carefully designed facilities and a comfortable place to stay.
Eco Retreats is one of the most remote off grid holiday locations in the UK, as it is 5 miles off the main tar road - but still easily accessible by car from major cities including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and London. We’re also one of the oldest off-grid holiday sites with yurts, having been in unbroken operation for over 20 years! We offer a unique combination of off grid living, ancient woodland surroundings and peaceful seclusion. Located within the beautiful Dyfi forest in Wales, our forest yurts provide a rare opportunity to enjoy authentic off grid holidays in the UK while still benefiting from carefully designed facilities and a comfortable place to stay.
