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Welcome to the Cae Mabon Eco-Retreat Centre website.

Cae Mabon is a hidden in an oak forest clearing by a little white river (Afon Fachwen) that cascades down to the nearby lake (Llyn Padarn). It is set in Snowdonia at the foot of Elidir Fawr: across the lake is the peak of Moel Eilio, not far to the east the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).

At the heart of Cae Mabon is a thatched Roundhouse like those lived in by our ancestors for thousands of years. With a fire in its hearth and smoke rising from the thatch it’s been the home of many convivial evenings of song, story and chat.

Circling the Roundhouse and blending into the landscape is a family of seven elegant natural dwellings – a strawbale Hogan, an oak and slate Longhouse, a cedar log Lodge, a cob Cottage, a redwood Chalet, a Hobbit Hut and a cedar Cabin. Each is unique, snug and subtly lit by solar power. Together they accommodate up to 30 people.

An exquisitely renovated barn contains a fully equipped kitchen and a spacious eating and meeting room. There is a fine composting loo, a stylish washroom, a thatched shower hut and, stunningly located by the river, a luxurious hot tub…

What Happens Here?

People come to Cae Mabon from all over Britain and the world. It’s a perfect setting for groups to meet, work, retreat and play. Events include song, dance, poetry and storytelling workshops; healing and therapeutic groups; corporate intensives on creativity and communication; environmental camps; school and youth group visits (including ‘rites of passage’ experiences for young people); yoga, meditation and green spirituality retreats; Celtic landscape and mythology tours; mini eco-festivals. People come to learn about natural building, for seasonal celebrations, for weddings and to hear visiting performers. Every year there are open weeks (for those who simply want to experience the place) and the always-popular April and October working parties.

Responses

People almost always love Cae Mabon. It has been described it as an ‘insanely’ and ‘jaw-droppingly’ beautiful ‘fairytale village’; as ‘a verdant retreat from the crazy world’; ‘a really important piece of my well-being map’. One couple said: ‘We arrived with the idea, an inkling, a fuzzy dream… but leave with clear minds, inspiration and the knowledge that dreams can come true.’

In 2008 Professor Tom Woolley, writing in Sustain (a glossy magazine for builders and architects), declared Cae Mabon the ‘number one natural building project in the UK’. He said:

Cae Mabon is a Welsh Shangri-La hanging on a steep hillside with stunning views across to Snowdon. It has grown organically over many years… into a mini expo of handmade buildings using straw, cob, timber, thatch and so on… Built initially without planning permission, officialdom has been won over by its charm and magic.

Eco-Philosophy

Nature

Cae Mabon is intimate with the primal elements of forest, river, wind, earth and fire. We believe in the healing and inspiring qualities of Nature in all its beauty and vitality.

Beauty

We endeavour to make our dwellings harmonise with each other, with the trees and the curves of the surroundings hills. We like to include aesthetically pleasing details in surprising places.

Creativity

We value creative inspiration very highly, both our own and those who come to visit. We like to make beauty in song, story, dance, poetry, sculpture and many other ways.

Low Impact

We try to minimise our ecological footprint on the Earth by using natural building materials, by composting and recycling, by using solar power for lighting. Soon we hope to generate waterpower. We are always looking for ways to be more sustainable.

Self-sufficiency

We know we are a very long way from self-sufficiency but nonetheless we are slowly working towards it, cultivating a vegetable garden, keeping ducks and bees…

Personal Transformation

We believe in the possibility of personal transformation. Cae Mabon provides the space for people to thrive, to find spiritual solace, to awaken creative potential, to gain new perspectives and to celebrate their lives.

Positive Futures

Cae Mabon is a meeting ground for diverse influences and traditions. We aim to value the best of the past, to celebrate the fullness of life now and to help create positive, sustainable, convivial and organic futures…