Residential Centre for Alternative Technology Wales

Our 7-acre visitor centre offers hands-on renewable energy displays, a wide variety of examples of environmentally responsible building and beautiful organic gardens.

A further 17 acres stretch up into the hills surrounding the centre with stunning views of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere from our Quarry Trail.

We have been welcoming school groups to our visitor centre for five decades and pride ourselves on how we engage young people with subjects surrounding climate change and sustainability. Our tours and workshops are ideal for a day visit and our on-site accommodation provides a fantastic base for a school trip in the region or for a more in-depth multi-day learning experience at CAT.

All our workshops address sustainability across a range of curriculum subjects and many include issues related to global citizenship. Links are made to Science, Geography, Design and Technology, PSE and Citizenship. Embedded in our offer are cross-curriculum links to develop key skills in Literacy and Maths, with a particular emphasis on problem solving in an unknown context.

Workshops are available for Foundation Stage to postgraduate level, including GCSE, A level and the Welsh Baccalaureate. Most of our workshops can also be adapted for individual or groups of teacher.

Residential Centre for Alternative Technology Wales / Residential Environmental Centre Wales /Residential Field Study Centre Wales /Residential Eco Centre Wales /CAT Wales

CAT has three accommodation options on site.

We have two 18-bed Eco Cabins, the WISE building with 24 twin bedrooms, or the ‘Self Build’ house right in the heart of the centre.

Get closer to nature in CAT’s Eco Cabins. Situated adjacent to the visitor centre in a secluded private location overlooking the allotments, the Eco Cabins offer two 18-bed self-catering facilities, providing hostel-style accommodation for up to 36 students.

“An immersive learning tool”

Hot water for the cabins is generated by solar thermal panels on the grass roof as well as via the woodstove for heat and hot water. Students can collect logs and tend to the fire under close supervision.

Entering from a sheltered communal outside area between the cabins, each cabin has a welcoming open-plan living space with self-catering kitchen facilities.

There are six bedrooms in each cabin, including two singles for teachers/tutors, plus shower/wet rooms and toilets.

Other accommodation options on-site include our WISE bedrooms, offering 24 smart and comfortable twin bedded rooms in our main building in the heart of the visitor centre, and the ‘self build house’ with 16 beds in each.

• Accommodation
• Free wifi
• Free coach parking
• Sustainably managed woodland trails
• Organic productive gardens
• Sustainability displays centered around green building, renewable energy, ecology, food production and more.
• Classroom facilities
• Tools, safety equipment and trained tutors

Visit Wales 4* Group Accommodation

Up to 70 students when utilizing multiple accommodation options at CAT.

The Eco Cabins are dorm rooms with 4 bunkbed style beds in each.

Each cabin have bathrooms with showers and a separate double bedded room for teachers.

The WISE bedrooms offer 24 single or twin en-suite bedrooms.

Yes, we provide risk assessments

None.

Groups are authorized and there are no restrictions.

Amanda Smith

Engagement Team

education@cat.org.uk

We have a first aid station and trained first aiders on site at all times.

Classrooms

Toilets

Cloak room

Café

Gift Shop

Lecture Theatre

Social Areas inside and Out

A full range from fully catered to self catering options. Packed lunches are available.

The majority of the site and all of the classroom spaces are wheelchair accessible.

There are accessible bathrooms available.

Open year round. Prebook required.

We are located 3 miles north of Machynlleth in Powys, Mid Wales