Going green

Wind generators. One of many green projects in Wales.

Article by: David Atkinson, September 2008

While many destinations may be clambering to jump on the green tourism bandwagon, the Welsh National Assembly is one of just a handful of governments around the world to actually write a commitment to sustainable development into its constitution.

There are numerous worthwhile green projects to explore across Wales, but the eco movement finds its natural home in Mid Wales, typically a three-hour transfer from Manchester International Airport. Stretching west from the Welsh-English border to Cardigan Bay on the coast, this rural and lesser-known region is at the vanguard of the green tourism movement and an ideal base to catch the latest initiatives

Things to do

Low energy house at Centre for Alternative Technology.

The historic town of Machynlleth, set amid lush Mid Wales countryside at the heart of the Dyfi Valley, is the green capital of Wales and a centre for alternative communities. Its rise shadows the growth of interest in the excellent Centre for Alternative Technology which has been quietly championing sustainable living for more than 30 years. The site boasts more than seven acres of displays demonstrating how wind, water and solar power provide food, heating and telecommunications. Next spring will see the opening of a new, dedicated study centre, the Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE). Built according to sustainable principles, it houses CAT's extensive program of green-awareness courses.

Elsewhere, the latest opening in Pembrokeshire is Bluestone, a holiday-village project built on the foundations of environmental and sustainability issues. With 180 Alpine-style, timber lodges built around a central Celtic village, it includes family-friendly facilities such as the Blue Lagoon water park. Access is via the A40 Carmarthen to Haverfordwest.

Located near Caernarfon in North Wales, Greenwood Forest Park is an adventure park with a slew of rides, activities and attractions underpinned by a strong green ethos. Don't miss a ride on the Green Dragon, the world's first people-powered rollercoaster.

Places to stay

Lots of properties across Wales have made a concerted effort to raise the stakes for green tourism in recent years, an effort recognized by Visit Wales' Green Dragon awards that awards stars for green features.

One stand-out property in Mid Wales is Cwm-Moel, a homey little B&B near Builth Wells. Cwm-Moel offers a rural escape and superb, organic home cooking in a 17th-century farmhouse. And there's a twist: the owner, Eleanor Madoc Davies, offers one-on-one vocal coaching in her dedicated music room to help guests find their voice.

Heading north through the Welsh Marches, the Old Vicarage, located near Presteigne, is an award-winning boutique B&B. The property features original Victorian fittings, all rescued, recycled and revived from auctions and scrapyards. Every evening, guests gather in the drawing room for drinks before a dinner party-style supper of organic, local produce.

For the ultimate green escape, however, Eco Retreats is an encampment of four, six metre (21ft)-diameter tepees and one five-metre (18ft) Mongolian-style yurt in the Dyfi Forest, located 12km (8mi) south of Machynlleth off the A487. Home comforts are few (compost toilet blocks, cold-water showers), but the land is leased from a local organic farm and they use fair-trade produce in the welcome baskets.

Getting around

Public transport is somewhat limited in mid-Wales and a rental car is useful to get around, but one option to soak up the scenery while minimising carbon emissions is to ride the Heart of Wales railway line. The 193km 120-mile, 30-station route cuts a diagonal swathe across central Wales from Swansea to Shrewsbury in the English borderlands. Like many other British rural lines, its existence has been threatened, but the joint efforts of locals and train buffs continue to save the service. Arriva Trains' Freedom of Wales Flexi Pass is valid on the route.

Elsewhere, Pembrokeshire Greenways, is a collective to promote sustainable modes of transport through walking, cycling, bus and train travel. They run a series of minibuses around Pembrokeshire to shuttle walkers around key locations on the coat path.

Finally, the greenest way to see Wales - and get fit in the process - is on two wheels. Wales is blessed with some great biking routes, the longest of which is the national Lo\^n Las Cymru trail, a 500km (311mi) epic from Cardiff to Holyhead, on the Isle of Anglesey. Less epic but equally scenic for a weekend escape is the 64km (40mi) Taff Trail to Brecon, which starts from Cardiff's Mermaid Quay. Details of routes are available from the sustainable transport group Sustrans.

All content and opinion sourced from Lonely Planet and specially produced for: Visit Wales