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Sarah Dawson 13/05/2008

Freelance Travel and Lifestyle Journalist Sarah Dawson spent a night in a yurt courtesy of Yurtel at the Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival in 2008. Read her account here.


Each summer Yurtel tour the UK's coolest festivals from the Big Chill to the Secret Garden.  Kicking off the season at one of world's most celebrated literary events where accommodation is often booked-up a year in advance, Yurtel were providing book enthusiasts with a rather unique alternative to the traditional B&B.  

Overlooking the majestic Black Mountains amongst glowing lanterns and bookcases crammed with dog-eared books Yurtel had created a mini community in the grounds of Hay-on-Wye's castle and their spacious, custom-built 14ft Yurts promised to be a bespoke and contemporary camping experience.  


Historically, Yurts are the habitat of nomadic Iranian and Mongolian tribes to shelter from extreme weather conditions so what's it like to sleep under canvas with all mod cons?  Forget any pre-conceived ideas about grungy yak hair or sheepskin rugs doubling up as beds on the floor.  Instead, think minimalist and tasteful décor; low lighting, an Orchid beside the Thai-imported custom-made double bamboo bed, a toasty 13 tog duvet and heart shaped chocolates on perfectly plumped pillows.  

It was a cool May evening when my partner and I checked in but once our boots were off and the wooden lockable door firmly sealed we were as snug as a bug in a boutique hotel.  Yurtel had thought of everything - there was generator-fired electricity to charge our mobile phones, tea-making facilities and even a hair-dryer. 

 

Teaming up with a local company, Griffin, luxury toilet and shower cubicles were located a mere welly's throw from the Yurts, complete with piped music, fresh flowers - and lashings of hot water.  

After fortifying ourselves with local cider and food at the nearby Inn we headed back to camp and slipped into the warm outdoor eco wood-fired Dutch Tub conveniently placed outside our Yurt and the next morning when my tummy was beginning rumble I found croissants and the weekend papers outside our door.  

 

As we put the kettle on to enjoy breakfast in bed you'd never have guessed we were in a tent on a muddy hill.  After a rejuvenating hot shower we were rested, refreshed and ready to take on the literary festival.  But first, I had an appointment with Lisa in their Eco Day Spa.  

 

To spiritual types the Yurt is considered very conducive to balance and harmony as the circular shape allows 'chi' (or energy) to flow more easily and as the Nomadic people consider their shelter a sacred space it makes perfect sense to use a Yurt for healing treatments.  

 

Both Tom and Lisa have extensive massage experience and their Eco Day Spa has frequented most of the UK's festivals offering music-lovers a peaceful sanctuary far from the madding crowds and amplifiers.

Plush carpeting, a Buddha shrine, sunlight streaming through the roof window and heady incense were enough to send me straight into a deep and blissful snooze before I'd even lain down on the massage table.  

 

Combining a mixture of deep tissue, Reiki and Indian Head massage Lisa's treatment was so effective that one hour later I couldn't even remember what day it was.  

If you're keen to avoid the muck, montage and emotional melt-downs that can so often accompany camping in the UK hiring a Yurt from Yurtel should be a serious consideration.  Book in advance for your decadent festival accommodation then simply turn up to enjoy a romantic, fully water-proofed and eco-heated tent - cosy enough for Champagne, spacious enough for kids.  

More information

§        Sarah travelled to Hay-on-Wye by train from London Paddington to Hereford with First Great Western.  Advance return fares cost from £37.30.  Firstgreatwestern.co.uk.

§        Yurt hire prices vary at each of the festivals.  Yurt accommodation at the Hay-on-Wye literary festival cost £110 per night (for couple, including children) and £85 (for single use).  See their costs section for more information.

§        Yurtel are also available for private hire; including weddings, kid's parties, hen parties, spa weekends and corporate events. They can deliver a yurt to your chosen UK location (provided the land is flat enough) from £350 (weekend hire) and £450 (weekly hire).  Montage takes around two hours.  Add on £350 for the Dutch Tub or enjoy a weekend Eco Day Spa hire from £450, excluding treatments.  

§        Visit www.sarahdawsonjournalist.com for more travel articles.