Yurts in Wales?

Mongolian yurts in Wales

Yurts in Wales have become so commonplace these days that the notion of yurts in Wales sounds quite normal to us! Where better to spend time relaxing close to nature on a short weekend getaway or family break over the summer holidays?

Of course, yurts don’t originate in Wales! They’ve been around for thousands of years. It’s wonderful to know that you are sleeping in a structure that has been enjoyed for centuries, by people all over the world.

The earliest known depiction of a yurt structure is on a bronze bowl discovered in the Zagros mountains of Iran, dated to around 600 BCE. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote about yurts used by the Scythian people around 440 BCE, and the Italian explorer Marco Polo wrote of the gers used by the Mongols between 1274 – 1291. Apparently, the Mongolian leader Genghis Khan commanded his entire empire from a large ger! (Fast forward a few hundred years and loads of “glampers” in the UK are heading off to enjoy weekends away in yurts in Wales!)

Yurts are made up of a beautiful wooden lattice-work structure, covered with material. Mongolian yurts also have 2 central supporting poles, and usually have the fire in the centre of the yurt, spreading the warmth easily throughout the living space. Their circular shape allows them to resist winds from all directions – great for the steppes of Central Asia and also for yurts in Wales!

Covering the wooden structure of a Mongolian yurt are several material layers: a decorative cotton inner layer; a layer of felt which helps to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer and keep humidity moderate all year round; a layer to keep the rain out (essential for yurts in Wales!); an outer cover to hold it all together; and finally, a layer to cover the crown wheel in the roof of the yurt!

In Mongolia, they say a yurt is like a human body – complete with bones (wooden frame), muscle (canvas), fat (felt) and skin (outer cover)!

Traditionally, nomadic cultures would move their yurts several times a year, but today they mainly form static homes. Still, they remain an important part of Central Asian culture; more than half of Mongolians still live in yurts.

We absolutely love our Mongolian yurts in Wales and find they are super cosy and warm even when it’s cold. Our beautiful locally-made windows – currently installed in our Meadow and Ash Valley yurts – are our own addition, allowing those stunning views in; for our yurts in Wales, this means you can feel close to the forest even when it’s too rainy to venture outside!

At Eco Retreats Forest Retreat, we offer only five yurts spread over 50 acres on a much larger farm, deep in Wales’ Dyfi forest. Each yurt is in its own private space, set far apart from other yurts. Outside is a private bathroom with outdoor wood-fired bath and outdoor campfire area. Our yurts also have indoor cooking facilities, with all your pots/pans, utensils, crockery and cutlery provided, making your yurt holiday stress-free.

Why not join us and experience yurt living for yourself!

Eco Retreats Forest Retreat www.ecoretreats.co.uk

Facebook reviews

TripAdvisor reviews

Book your stay

Margaret Rose

Margaret Rose

Margaret is a mother, entrepreneur, traveller and writer. Her love affair with wild places began many years ago as she lived and worked in some of the most remote areas of Africa. She and her family lived off-grid for 7 years and experienced first-hand the joys and frustrations of “voluntary simplicity.” Today, she is passionately committed to creating beautiful spaces which allow people to slow down and reconnect. She is a firm believer in the power of the thousand tiny choices we all make every day to change the world.
Margaret Rose

Margaret Rose

Margaret is a mother, entrepreneur, traveller and writer. Her love affair with wild places began many years ago as she lived and worked in some of the most remote areas of Africa. She and her family lived off-grid for 7 years and experienced first-hand the joys and frustrations of “voluntary simplicity.” Today, she is passionately committed to creating beautiful spaces which allow people to slow down and reconnect. She is a firm believer in the power of the thousand tiny choices we all make every day to change the world.
PDF

Join our community

Please check your email to confirm subscription