Situated in the picturesque landscapes of the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Mid Wales stands as a world-renowned eco centre with a noble purpose – to inspire, educate, and empower people in addressing the pressing climate and biodiversity crisis.
If you’re seeking a distinctive and environmentally conscious summer retreat, be sure to include CAT in your 2023 must-visit list.
Centre for Alternative Technology: Trailblazing Sustainability
With a remarkable legacy spanning five decades, CAT has been a pioneer in sustainable solutions. Not only does it offer postgraduate degrees and training courses, but it also serves as a captivating visitor centre, consistently pushing the boundaries of environmental advancements. This makes CAT a transformative destination for eco-conscious travellers in search of inspiration.
Engaging Exhibitions and Live Demonstrations
CAT’s interactive exhibits and live demonstrations provide practical insights into renewable energy, sustainable architecture, and ecological innovations. You’ll witness solar power, wind turbines, and green buildings in action, leaving you and your family envisioning a greener, more sustainable future.
Educational Enrichment
CAT’s extensive array of workshops, short courses, and children’s programs cater to all age groups, nurturing a deeper understanding of sustainable living and the climate crisis. Adults can partake in courses on sustainable building practices, renewable energy, and woodland management, gaining skills and knowledge they can apply long after their visit. Meanwhile, curious young minds can engage in hands-on activities like nature trails and species spotting, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for a better future.
Ethical Accommodation and Eco-Friendly Transit Options
Immerse yourself in sustainable living at CAT’s on-site accommodation, which offers cozy eco-cabins and rooms in the award-winning WISE Building. Surrounded by nature, you’ll enjoy a peaceful retreat while experiencing eco-friendly architecture first hand. Embracing sustainability from the outset, CAT is easily accessible by public transport, including trains and buses, making it an ideal choice for eco-minded travellers. Additionally, the location lies along the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Awe-Inspiring Natural Beauty
Positioned in the heart of the “green heart of Wales,” CAT finds itself enveloped by nature reserves, ancient woodlands, lakes, national trails, and mountain ranges, showcasing some of Europe’s most remarkable landscapes and wildlife. The CAT site, once a Welsh slate quarry, now thrives as a haven for wildlife. Take the Quarry Trail Walk to explore CAT’s woodlands and wild spaces, marvel at breath taking views of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and catch a glimpse of the reservoir that sustains CAT’s off-grid water system.
Delectable Sustainable Cuisine
The vegetarian café at CAT offers an enticing array of dishes crafted from locally sourced and organic ingredients. With a strong commitment to reducing food waste and promoting sustainable farming practices, CAT’s café serves up eco-friendly and delectable meals, with some ingredients sourced right from the CAT site itself.
Positive Impact
Your visit to CAT contributes directly to the centre’s essential environmental research and education endeavours. By supporting CAT, you become an active participant in the development of sustainable solutions and the advancement of a greener future.
For further information and to plan your visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology, please visit cat.org.uk/
