Set in the beautiful scenery of North Wales, the Centre for Alternative Technology [1] (or CAT) is not far from the border of Snowdonia National Park. The drive to Machynlleth takes you along roads carved through valleys and mountains. Before you know it you’ve just sped past the small signpost announcing the forested path leading to the base of CAT.
After paying the entrance fee (up to £8 depending on age/status/blagging skills), it's time to ride the water balanced cliff railway up to the main part of the centre. This railway is a perfect example of the way CAT likes to do things: quiet, clean and free to run after installation costs, both in terms of money and pollution.
There are around 20 buildings in the grounds, all of which are different examples of low impact eco-buildings. A personal favourite is the strawbale theatre. The buildings and gardens are practical visions of ecologically benign living, showing how heat, power, water, food and waste can be handled with a minimal eco-footprint.
One building offers an introduction to sustainable living covering transport, shopping, finance, work, travel etc. Another allows visitors to view the workings of the electricity plant, showing energy production, storage and transference around the site.
The nice thing is that they really practice what they preach. For example, the restaurant uses only local produce or food grown on site. It has under-floor heating, provides recycling facilities for any waste produced, and then composts any leftover food to be used again on the vegetable patch. It all goes full circle.
There's a book and gift shop where you can find tonnes of information. The centre also runs courses (from beginner to expert level) in things like renewable energy systems, organic gardening, sustainability, and eco-building.
The site is in deepest Wales, so driving all the way there is a bit much if you only want to visit CAT. But if you combine the visit with a camping holiday or an educational school trip, the area provides hills, mountains, beaches and all of the associated action sports, and a great deal of natural beauty.
Centre for Alternative Technology [1]
Machynlleth
Powys
SY20 9AZ
+44 (0)1654 705950