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Experience Sustainable Living in Wales

Stay in an Eco-Cabin at the Centre for Alternative Technology

By Carol Anne Strange

If you want to explore a new way of living, then a visit to the UK’s Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), in Machynlleth, Wales, will certainly open your eyes!

Established in 1975, CAT is a 40 acre site that has working displays of environmentally sound practices, with low energy ecological buildings, the use of wind, water and solar power, organic gardening and alternative sewage systems. Over 75,000 visitors a year get the opportunity to learn about sustainable living through the staff and volunteers who live on this innovative site.

CAT runs educational courses throughout the year and also offers the opportunity to stay in their Eco Cabins overlooking the Dulas Valley or in the Self-Build House on the main site. There are a wide variety of courses on offer to include Timber Frame Self Build, Eco Renovation, Working with Willow, Wind Power, Eco Tourism and even a course on Green Funerals! If you’re not interested in the course programme, you can still experience sustainable living by booking a self-catering week in the cabins. This will give you the chance to learn how to recycle and use renewable energy forms.

Meals are available in the impressive `Taste of Wales’ accredited and licensed wholefood restaurant. Some of the produce used is from CAT’s own organic gardens or sourced locally. The food is delicious and there is an extensive menu. On site, there is also Britain’s greenest shop, where you can buy unique books and gifts that literally don’t cost the earth!

Open all year, CAT, which was built on the site of a former slate quarry, provides a diverse example of sustainable living. The centre generates its own electricity from renewable sources to provide power to the self-build houses, eco-cabins, shop, information centre, restaurant and other visitor attractions. There are educational facilities for children to include displays, adventure playground, theatre, video kaleidoscope, farmyard animals and a chance to journey underground with Megan the Mole.

CAT has won many awards and is the largest public display centre in Europe. The site is renowned for its beautiful scenery and peaceful ambience and, as you walk round, you will find wonderful examples of how we can live in harmony with nature.

Whether you visit the centre for a day or decide to stay in the eco-cabins to get a taste of sustainable living, you will certainly find the experience worthwhile and potentially life changing.

For further details, visit the centre’s web site at http://www.cat.org.uk/

Images by Mark Fenwick

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