Redwood Valley Yurts Powys Wales
Redwood Valley is a small, family-run, eco-friendly glamping site set in 25 acres of woodland on the Welsh border, a mile from the town of Presteigne where Powys meets Herefordshire. It has been featured in Guardian Travel, The Times and The Telegraph as one of Britain’s top luxury glampsites.
The hidden valley holds just two yurts, set apart from one another on the edge of the woodland and looking out over the wildflower meadow, the brook and the mighty redwood that gives the place its name. There is no light pollution, and nothing much to hear beyond the water and the birds. Children can roam; the rest of you can stop.
Whether you are coming back from a day in Hay on Wye to a meal under the stars, or toasting marshmallows on a campfire after walking to the local waterfall, the modern world feels a long way off.
The woodland is the point of the place as much as the yurts are. The family has been managing it for over twenty years, clearing invasive species and replanting — more than 1,100 trees and shrubs so far. Around fifty sessile oaks stand in the ancient part of it, some believed to be over 400 years old, and the redwood itself rises to nearly fifty metres. The meadow has been mown and cleared for a decade to weaken the soil and let wildflowers back in, and a wildlife pond dug at the bottom of it turned up a native white-clawed crayfish within six months.
THE YURTS
We have two distinctive 19ft yurts, each sleeping up to five. Nestled among the trees, each offers a private and secluded space to relax and enjoy the view across the valley to the redwood and the brook.
SEREN is a Turkmen bentwood yurt, made from locally sourced ash by Henry Dowell. The bentwood yurt takes its name from the distinctive steam-bent ends to the roof poles. The structure is lighter than the ger but equally beautiful and romantic, and its elegant frame is reflected in simple wooden furnishings.
EILIAN is a traditional Mongolian ger, made in Mongolia, felt-lined for extra warmth and beautifully hand-painted. It has been decorated to reflect the traditional style, and with the log burner lit and the fairy lights on it is absolutely magical.
* Each yurt sits on a raised platform, with a spiralling, seashell-like lower platform where you can sit and look out over the meadow — with no light pollution to interfere.
* Both are comfortably furnished with a mixture of handmade and vintage furniture, a king size bed made by the owners here at Redwood Valley, and single and double futons.
* The chairs were made by hand by Ben Willis, the site’s greenwood working teacher.
* A log burning stove in each keeps things warm on the chillier nights, with wood and kindling provided.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
* A king size bed with down duvet and pillows, and bedding made up for you
* Single and double futons for the rest of the party
* Log burning stove, with wood, kindling and matches provided
* Electric bedside lights and wind-up lanterns
* Handmade and vintage furniture throughout
* Your own spring water tap outside the yurt
* Firewood for the campfire as well as the stove
* Biodegradable toiletries, washing-up liquid, tea towels, toilet paper and hand towels
* Complimentary tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, condiments, herbs and spices from the kitchen
* A highchair if you need one, and the loan of an Ordnance Survey map
OUTSIDE you will find…
* A BBQ which doubles as a fire pit
* A table and stools on your own platform
* Your own spring water tap
* Specific sites around the valley for campfires
Not included: towels, and bedding for the futons. Beds are made up for you, but anyone sleeping on a futon or daybed needs to bring their own bedding, and everyone needs to bring towels for the shower.
FACILITIES ON SITE
The woodland kitchen is shared and fully equipped — two fridges, gas hobs, a microwave, toaster and kettle, along with pots, pans, kitchen implements, cutlery and crockery. There is a long trestle table to eat at, with board games and a shelf of books on the local area, plants and wildlife, and separate bins for recycling, compost and landfill.
The shower is gas-heated rather than solar, because the woodland does not get enough sun for it — which means constant hot water rather than whatever the day has managed. There is a spacious changing area and complimentary shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.
All the water for the kitchen and shower comes from the site’s own freshwater spring and is UV-treated, so it is safe to drink. Bring a bottle and take some home. The grey water runs through an underground soak-away, which is why the toiletries provided are biodegradable — please use those rather than your own.
The composting loo sits close to the yurts and the kitchen, with a rainwater-supplied basin. Instructions are inside for anyone who has not used one before, and it is clean, comfortable and sweet-smelling.
THINGS TO DO NEARBY
* Presteigne is under a mile away — a thriving small town with a wine bar, four pubs and a run of independent shops. The Judge’s Lodging is there, and Mid Border Arts puts on exhibitions, music and theatre at the Assembly Rooms through the year.
* Water-Break-Its-Neck Falls, a few miles off in the Radnor Forest, is a stunning waterfall reached by following a stream up through a valley.
* Offa’s Dyke runs close by, and the moors and reservoirs of the Elan Valley are within reach for a longer day.
* Wild swimming starts ten minutes’ walk away on the river Lugg, behind the Presteigne allotments. There is a gentler paddling and picnic spot on the river Arrow at Pembridge for small children, and the wider Wye at Bredwardine is half an hour by car. Canoes and kayaks can be hired at Glasbury and Hay on Wye.
* Hampton Court Castle, the medieval village of Pembridge, several National Trust properties and the gardens at Hergest Croft and Westonbury Mill are all close. So is Ludlow Castle, and there is a farm park and owl sanctuary within a stone’s throw.
* Hay on Wye is an easy day trip, and the Hay Festival each May even easier. The Presteigne Festival, a classical music festival, spans the August bank holiday weekend.
* Further out you can reach the Brecon Beacons, the Centre for Alternative Technology, much of Snowdonia and the coast around Aberystwyth in a day.
* This is a dark sky area with an observatory just up the road at Knighton — so bring a telescope if you are a stargazer.
There is plenty to do without leaving the valley: two nature trails, a huge rope swing, a brook to paddle in, campfires and barbecues. If it rains there are books, playing cards and board games in the kitchen.
COURSES
Green woodworking courses run through the season — you can come home having made a Welsh stick chair. There is also birdwatching, and silversmithing with the jeweller Tamsin Smith, including private workshops where couples design and make their own wedding rings over two days. Ask when you book.
EATING AND DRINKING
Presteigne has an excellent greengrocer and fishmonger, a deli selling freshly baked bread, a local butcher and two convenience stores, so self-catering is easy. For eating out there is everything from the chip shop and the Chinese takeaway to pub food, sourdough pizza, tapas and more gourmet cooking.
GOOD TO KNOW
• The yurts sleep up to five each, and the site suits family groups of up to fourteen.
• Beds are made up for you. Bedding for the futons and daybeds is not provided — bring your own, and bring towels for the shower.
• The kitchen, shower and composting loo are shared between the yurts.
• Cars stay at the top of the valley so the meadow is not damaged. It is a short walk down to the yurts.
• No dogs, except service dogs — for the sake of the woodland wildlife.
• No hen or stag parties, and no weddings or large events. The site is deliberately quiet.
• Children are very welcome, but it is a natural site with a pond, a brook, steep slopes and stinging plants, so young children need an eye kept on them.
• There is a two-night minimum stay.
• A 50% deposit secures a booking, with the balance due 45 days before arrival, or you can pay in full at the time.
TREEHOUSE CABINS ALSO AVAILABLE!
PRICES
From £120 per yurt per night, with a two-night minimum stay.
Stays of five nights or more are £10 less per night. High season is May to August.
All prices include the wood for your log burner and campfire.