Eco-Friendly Yurt Holiday in Wales

Super Green Holidays! Energy Revolutionaries! 

Having a digital detox, reconnecting with nature and enjoying the simple things are all benefits from staying in an eco-friendly glamping site!

 "If a rural getaway in beautiful surroundings, off grid and plenty of fresh air with a soupçon of magic is what you’re after (as we were), then you’re in for a treat! " Emma, October 2023

“Eco friendly Holidays” are becoming more sought after. With more recognition to foreign holidays abroad being bad for the environment more people are considering their carbon footprint.

So what do we mean by being Eco friendly?

Renewable Energy Powered!

As a family we have lived an eco-friendly lifestyle at Larkhill for over thirty years. We’re in quite an isolated location and the nearest electric supply is over half a mile away! Having made the monumental decision to live here we decided to take the plunge and go completely off grid! Living as we do on the top of a hill we considered wind to be the best option. We erected two small furlmatic wind generators and a few years later two solar panels.

What this means for you while you are staying in our yurts in west wales the electricity you use is generated by clean, green energy from our wind generators and solar panels, making this a very green holiday and super eco-friendly! Unfortunately we don’t have an unlimited supply - our batteries can only hold so much - so we do run on a small system. At the moment devices can only be charged in our log cabin. Lights in the yurts are run on a 12v battery system (we then charge the batteries when needed). 

We think that most of our guests enjoy the off-grid holiday that they experience here. Families talk about kids putting down their devices, safely exploring the woodland (there’s a maximum of 24 people here) making dens and playing games.

Recycling is very important to us!

We are passionate about recycling here at Larkhill and make it very easy for our guests to recycle. We compost all food waste (which in turn helps us grow our veg!) and provide designated bins for plastic, glass and non-recyclable waste. We have had many guests over the years praising our efforts towards recycling and we like to think that we inspire others to maintain similar recycling habits when they return home.

Ecology and our environment!

Woodland

In 1998, we planted four acres of woodland containing both hardwoods (such as oak, ash, beech, and field maple) and softwoods (like spruce and larch). To protect the hardwoods from harsh weather conditions we alternated planting these trees as the softwoods grow faster and acted as nurse trees. Additionally, we have introduced different tree species in available spaces. The timber from spruce and larch is utilized for outdoor campfires… making our wood very locally sourced indeed!

Nature and Wildlife at Larkhill

We do not merely cut down trees without a plan. After cutting, we leave large stumps for safety and to create a habitat for insects. As the wood decomposes, it attracts insects and that in turn supports the bird population, contributing to a healthy ecosystem. Our land features numerous nut feeders that attract various bird species like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and finches. Additionally, we have installed multiple nesting boxes in trees.

To enhance biodiversity and water retention, we have constructed several ponds. These ponds serve as habitats for wildlife and help mitigate flooding issues. Instead of digging ditches, we have maintained peat and bog areas, which support a rich diversity of plants and insects. The mosses in these areas are notably large and thriving.

Aside from woodlands, we have planted numerous hedges, providing additional habitats for birds and wildlife.

Guests talk about loving feeling so close to nature on their eco-friendly holiday here. Being so close to wildlife, seeing the biodiversity, the different fungi in the autumn and hearing the birds sing their hearts out in the morning.