Old Larch Yurt - Powys, United Kingdom
Bodynfoel Hall
- Yurt for 2 from £85 per night (read our low price promise)
- One double bed with linen and towels. Extra mattresses for 2-3 people and 2 man tent camping nearby
All extra people are charged at £15 per person per night, and they need to bring their own bedding and towels. To discuss camping arrangements please call 0117 204 7830
Overview
Owners Richard and Flavia show off all their creativity in this yurt – mismatched, quirky furniture give the place a relaxed, Bohemian feel, and colourful saris have been wrapped around and woven into the frame of the roof, creating a bright canopy that casts a dappled glow as the sun comes up in the morning. When it goes dark again, hoist the homemade fairy light candelabra up on a pulley, gently illuminating the whole yurt in flickering light.
Out on the raised yurt deck is a private outdoor kitchen, sheltered under a parasol, (and a canvas shelter in case it rains). The (odourless!) compost loo and hot shower are in a separate hut just a few steps away. A campfire circle, BBQ area and hammock complete the camp with a wonky swinging bench. There are fantastic walks further into the woodland, kids will love following the nature trails, finding fossils and adding to the wishing tree. There are even a couple of ponds within Bodynfoel Hall's 600 acres of sprawling grounds - borrow a boat and go for a relaxing punt, or bring a fishing rod to while away the time on their private river a short walk away. In fact, the only thing shared with the guests at Van Goff and Jericho Yurt is the little boat by the lake, which you're welcome to use anytime.
The yurt was actually Flavia’s home over several months in the French Alps (during the ski season), proving that it’s more than a match for the Welsh winters! A wood burner and sheepskin rugs ensure you’re cosy whatever the weather.
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in is between 4pm-5pm (please send text message with ETA on the day to Richard's mobile - number supplied with booking confirmation)
- Check out is before 10am
- The yurt accommodates 2 adults from £90 per night. Double bed with linen, two bath towels and one hand towel
- Very small children should be supervised at all times around the ponds
Connectivity
There is good EE mobile signal. If you need to check emails, you can park just outside the main house to access the Wi-Fi.
General Information
Please read the information sent from the owner on receipt of booking and remember to bring supplies such as food, drink, fire-lighters, tea lights, charcoal (if you want to barbecue more than once), wellies or walking boots, slippers for inside and binoculars. There is a cool box, the owners supply ice blocks and you can re-freeze your own, nearby.
All extra guests - PLEASE BRING OWN BEDDING AND TOWELS! :
- Up to two extra small people or one extra big person are welcome to sleep on single mattresses provided in the yurt at £15 per person per night. There is enough space for one baby and/or toddler under 3yrs, at no extra charge, but please bring your own travel cot and bedding for any extra people.
Camping near the yurt in your own two-man tent is available, for up to two people (big or small) at £15 per person per night.
To discuss any other extra camping arrangements please call 0117 204 7830
***The owners try to be flexible so if you have other requirements please call 0117 204 7830 to discuss***
- Sleeping arrangements
- One double bed with linen and towels. Extra mattresses for 2-3 people and 2 man tent camping nearby
Extra space available
Space for 2 children from £15 per child per night sleeping on single mattresses in yurt kids up to 12yrs, OR 1 adult (aged 13+). Bring own bedding
Space for 1 baby no charge. Please bring your own travel cot
Space for 2 adults from £10 per adult per night Camping in your own tent (also suitable for kids at same rate). Please bring own bedding and towels
Kids & Pets
All extra people are charged at £15 per person per night, and they need to bring their own bedding and towels. To discuss camping arrangements please call 0117 204 7830
Cooking
- Camping stove and grill with gas bottle
- Barbecue with charcoal supplied
- Cool box provided with interchangeable ice blocks
Washing
- Gas-heated shower in wash hut
- Odourless compost loo
- Butler sink on verandah
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Wood burning stove with free wood and enough firelighters for your stay
- Four fuelled hurricane lamps
- Tea lights - you will be supplied with enough for your stay but please bring more with you if you wish to use a lot!
- Solar fairy lights
- Bed linen for the double bed and two sets of towels are provided
Entertainment
- Backgammon
- Monopoly
- Chess
- Various books on wildlife and nature and local attractions
Getting there
Bodynfoel Hall, Llanfechain, SY22 6XD
What3words address: grow.shackles.goals
By public transport
The nearest train station is Gobowen, 30 mins' drive away.
The nearest bus stop is in Llanfechain, which is within walking distance
By car
From Llansantfraid (East)
- Take the B4393 to Llanfechain
- Turn right into the village (there's a village shop here where you might like to stock up on supplies). You are now 1 mile away from the driveway for Bodynfoel Hall.
Now please disregard your SatNav!
- Follow the road round the church, over a humpbacked bridge and then immediately turn left. This is 0.2 miles from the B4393.
- Follow the lane for about 150m and then take the first left where it forks
- Continue carefully down the winding lane for about 0.6 miles
- Look out for a lane on the right (don't turn here!), and just after that, behind a hedge is a small white lodge house on the right, and a wide driveway with open iron gates. A slate sign says Bodynfoel Hall.
- Turn right here, go straight on through the gates and over the cattle grid
- Continue on through the park and over another cattle grid, and up the wooded driveway and between the ponds to the house
- You have arrived… ring the bell (it's on the right)!
Food & Drink
At Bodynfoel Hall
To stock up on supplies, it's a 1 mile easy walk to Llanfechain Village shop which has most things (it's best to check it's open first! 01691 829081). It closes before 12pm at weekends.
There's a Spa Supermarket in Llansantffraid, and Llanfyllin, both equidistant from Bodynfoel Hall, about 4 miles.
Restaurants & Pubs
Station Grill, Llansantffraid (SY22 6XS) - 11 mins, good food, nice atmosphere with bar
Plas Y Dinas, Llanfechain - a really good place to eat and drink only three quarters of a mile away. Booking ahead advisable
The Stumble Inn, Bwlch-y-cibau (SY22 5LL) - 7 mins' drive, best for a drink rather than food
Cain Valley Hotel, Llanfyllin (SY22 5AQ) - 15 mins, basic pub grub
Cross Keys Inn, Llansantffraid (SY22 6XS) - 11 mins, good food
Restaurants
The Lime Kiln, Porth-y-waen (SY10 8LX) - 18 mins, highly recommended food - well worth the drive!
The Seeds, Powys - A very nice place for a top class meal - Booking is essential! (01691 648 604)
More information on places to eat and drink are in the information document you are sent upon booking.
Activities
At Bodynfoel Hall
There are plenty of beautiful walks and nature trails through the woodland and round the lakes at Bodynfoel Hall, as well as more sturdy hikes up to the top of the hill to enjoy fantastic views all round. If the weather is good, you can borrow a small rowing boat to take out on one of the lakes. Not far away there is a 600 year old oak tree which has always been known as the Wishing Tree, and you can take a 'wish' (a colourful strip of material), tie it onto one of the branches and make a wish.
Places to Visit
Powis Castle, Welshpool (20 mins)
Chirk Castle, (40 mins)
Pistyll Rhaedr, Llanrhaeadr - Wales' highest waterfall (30 mins)
Llanfair Caereinion - for the Llanfair & Welshpool Light Railway (27 mins)
Llynclys Steam Railway (20 mins)
Outdoor & Active
Lake Vyrnwy - beautiful walks, and great for cycling and boating (30 mins)
Aberdovey Beach (1hr, 20mins)
Coed-y-Brenin (1hr 20min) - great place to hire mountain bikes and go for a woodland ride
Meet your hosts
Meet Richard and Flavia
Richard and Flavia met in London where he was a graphic designer and she was a yoga therapist. They moved to Bodynfoel Hall, Flavia's ancestral home in 2012 after Flavia’s father died in 2010. Richard now manages the 600 acre estate and Flavia manages the business and also a keen bee-keeper. They have two daughters who help out with the business from time to time.
The original Old Larch yurt has been Flavia's since the late 90’s, but a bit like "Trigger's broom" it has had a couple of new canvasses over the years. Flavia has always thought of herself as a pioneer in this form of dwelling, since she took the yurt to Val d’Isére for two seasons in the early 90's where it provided warm and cosy accommodation for two, in the heavy snow.
Since they started Flavia and Richard have added two more spaces with Van Goff and Jericho Yurt, all reflecting their love of interesting different styles and quirky interiors, but with their own unique atmosphere, and private environment. They love being able to share this wonderful environment with their guests who you can see by their wonderful comments, have all had very happy time at Bodynfoel, or 'Bodhall' as it is sometimes known.
Wildlife & Environment
Richard and Flavia are true nature lovers and have always had a 'green' approach to land stewardship, and many acres of woodland have been planted over the years.
A stretch of the river Cain runs through the estate, where otter have recently returned, as well as bird life including kingfishers, curlews and tawny owls, the latter which you'll probably hear at night. There are badgers and foxes in the woods, and more recently a pine marten has been spotted nearby.
Our guests say...
We had two nights in the most beautiful, tranquil yurt. I have never not wanted to leave a place so much. After our experience my boyfriend and I had serious conversations about building our own yurt for our back garden (not sure how this would work however). The maps left inside for things to do were really helpful and provided us with days full of activities despite the rain. I hope to return one day and be told we can live there forever!!
14/09/2018Molly
Excellent time at the Old Larch. Everything you could want from a retreat away from the city. The yurt was amazing with its hippie style decor all very cosy. Lovely with the wood burner on to keep nice and toasty and the sound of rain as you sleep on the yurt is quite theraputic. You have your own little secluded spot complete with bbq area. The outdoor balcony and kitchen were also a nice touch, giving you the feel of real outdoor living. The night skys when clear are also amazing, lots of stars (the odd shooting aswell
09/09/2018Richard
It was dreamy; the yurt was beautifully put together and private with our own sheltered kitchen area, fire pit, swing, hammock and solar powered bathroom. The grounds were beautiful and extensive and we spent our time exploring the woods and hills and following maps and children’s treasure hunts.
27/08/2018Madeleine
Two nights stay in a wonderful yurt with our two boys, aged 6 and 10. Lots of walking, rowing the boat on the Lake and swinging as high as we dare on the tree swing! BBQ's and toasting of marshmellows in the evening, with reading and board games on the veranda by lamp light. Amazing place and time had by all! Richard and Flavia were both welcoming hosts.
21/08/2018Louise
My two friends and I stayed in Old Larch Yurt for two nights. This is our 8th year glamping and our favourite so far. Beautiful yurt.. Richard and Flavia have decorated it beautifully to make it feel so cosy and comfortable whilst relaxing by the log burner inside. Excellent facilities with everything provided such as pans, plates, glasses and cutlery. The yurt is set in the most beautiful tranquil environment with acres of surrounding land to explore.
13/08/2018Michelle
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Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd Company No 09088366 of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking with us at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:-
- you have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- you are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age.
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This booking confirmation will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your reponsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices.Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
6. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you;
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured ad so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded;
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
7. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
8. Pets
Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price.
10. Visa, passport and health requirements.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the Arrangements you chose to purchase. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of booking is permitted.
14. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
15. Your Responsibilities
Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners will also require damage deposits. You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
We had two nights in the most beautiful, tranquil yurt. I have never not wanted to leave a place so much. After our experience my boyfriend and I had serious conversations about building our own yurt for our back garden (not sure how this would work however). The maps left inside for things to do were really helpful and provided us with days full of activities despite the rain. I hope to return one day and be told we can live there forever!!
14/09/2018