All about Eco Retreats

Your hosts and their ethos

Eco Retreats is run by Michael and ChaNan Bonser. Michael has spent years living in tipis in Wales and Spain. He loves the simplicity and the beauty of canvas on inspiring structures and is passionate about the Great Outdoors.

ChaNan spent her youth training at the top end of the hospitality industry in London. This experience, combined with the passion she carries about all things eco, gives an uncompromising line of quality of which they are rightly proud.

They love what they do and are in awe of the wonderful land the Eco Retreats site occupies. They do everything they can to minimise the impact they have on their incredible setting and wherever possible they use products in tune with the environment, from the locally made tipis to the organic fair trade produce in the welcome hampers. They are supported by a fantastic team of cleaners, healers, meditators and friends and they take the time to build up the team spirit so that everyone is committed to the principles of minimum impact and a sustainable way of life.

Eco Retreats offers you the opportunity to really escape from the hurly-burly of modern life and enjoy the beauty of nature in comfortable surroundings.

Getting there

Eco Retreats, Plas Einion, Furnace, Machynlleth SY20 8PG

PLEASE NOTE: If using Satnav, then do not enter the postcode. Use Ceinws and follow directions as below

Public transport

Machynlleth is the nearest station, but it's 11 miles to Eco Retreats from there on a combination of tarmac and forestry roads. There is no further public transport.

Signs for Eco Retreats look like this!

By car - Don't use satnav!

On the A487 from Aberystwyth, come through Machynlleth (the only place to stock up on provisions for your stay!) and carry on towards Dolgellau. After 3.5 miles, you'll pass the turning for the Centre for Alternative Technology. After a further 2 miles, turn right (signposted 'Ceinws' and 'Esgairgeillog'). Cross the river and take the second turn on the left (signposted Eco Retreats). Follow signs along forestry road for 4 miles. Meet your host at the welcome centre!

Things to do

Wellbeing & therapy

Eco Retreats offers a variety of wellbeing treatments and therapies from highly experienced local practitioners. These include, Reiki, Spiritual healing, guided meditation sessions and Eco Retreats owner ChaNan's own Elemental Medicine. Please get in touch with the owners to organise any of the above.

Dyfi forest

Eco Retreats is in the heart of the Dyfi Forest, a great place for outdoor sports and home to the Cli-machX Mountain Biking trail - Dyfi Mountain Biking will give you information on routes and access.

Local rock climber and all-round adventurer Huw Gilbert is happy to offer instruction and leadership for groups of two or more in rock climbing, mountaineering or mountain biking or have a go at canyoning with a local guide.

Further afield

It's not too easy to get around from Eco Retreat, but you can cap your stay with a visit to The Centre for Alternative Technology - an incredible project that investigates and lives by ecological innovation. Take a tour or get more hands-on and learn a few things you can take home with you.

For a more relaxing approach you can visit the Ynyshir bird reserve for beautiful walks and the chance to watch Canada geese, red kites and even the occasional otter.

Eating & drinking

At Eco Retreats

The tipis at Eco Retreats are run on a self catering basis and are pretty isolated. Organic Welcome Hampers are available, please contact the owners to arrange. Before you come down, you'd be wise to stock up on full provisions at Machynlleth, the nearest town (11 miles away from Eco Retreat).

Machynlleth, 'Mac' to the locals, is also the best place to go for...

Pubs & restaurants

There are a few options for pubs, restaurants and coffee shops in Machynlleth. Ask ChaNan and Michael for directions and recommendations.

All about Eco Retreats

Your hosts and their ethos

Eco Retreats is run by Michael and ChaNan Bonser. Michael has spent years living in tipis in Wales and Spain. He loves the simplicity and the beauty of canvas on inspiring structures and is passionate about the Great Outdoors.

ChaNan spent her youth training at the top end of the hospitality industry in London. This experience, combined with the passion she carries about all things eco, gives an uncompromising line of quality of which they are rightly proud.

They love what they do and are in awe of the wonderful land the Eco Retreats site occupies. They do everything they can to minimise the impact they have on their incredible setting and wherever possible they use products in tune with the environment, from the locally made tipis to the organic fair trade produce in the welcome hampers. They are supported by a fantastic team of cleaners, healers, meditators and friends and they take the time to build up the team spirit so that everyone is committed to the principles of minimum impact and a sustainable way of life.

Eco Retreats offers you the opportunity to really escape from the hurly-burly of modern life and enjoy the beauty of nature in comfortable surroundings.