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Kite Hill Yurts

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· Near Erwood, Powys, Wales
12 acres hosted by Lisa H.
2 glamping pitches
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A yurt glamping site run by genuine yurt glamping experts on the edge of Builth Wells in Wales near the River Wye

Like an ode to their previously nomadic lifestyle, the Mongolian yurt seems the perfect structure for Lisa and Jerry to have built here on their Welsh version of the Mongolian Steppe. The yurts’ perch atop a ribbon of hills on the west bank of the River Wye is like a final, long-awaited destination at the end of the couple’s travels, a three year spell that saw them take an old Land Rover from Namibia and gradually make their way back to the UK.

Their longest settling along the way was living on a mountain plateau in the middle of Africa, managing a 3,000km² wildlife reserve. It seems no surprise, then, that when it came to settling back into British life they were drawn not to their old city jobs but, instead, to the hills and the wildlife of Wales’ Black Mountains a few miles north of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The two yurts at Kite Hill nest themselves among lush, long grass – a would-be savannah carpet were it not for the dandelions and buttercups that grow in abundance and the mature, native hedgerows that surround the field. The view beyond, of forests, fields and a nobbled spine of green hills, is as British as they come too. Though giraffes and monkeys would surely be in their element here, given the great thickness of trees that flank the far side of the meadow.

Inside, the yurts are beautifully finished – luxurious but with a rustic feel. They feature chunky wooden bedsteads, bedside tables and small, tea-light lanterns that cast warm colours up the canvas walls. The natural colour of the wood adds further warmth, plus there’s the more literal warmth of a toasty log burning stove that heats the whole abode. The traditionally painted door is matched by the ornate central crown that allows glampers to gaze up at the Milky Way from within the snug comfort of the yurt. When the sky is clear this dark, light pollution-free area is simply magical.

A private deck adjoins each yurt with its own mini kitchen cabin and an eco-friendly composting toilet, while both yurts also share a larger cabin where there is a large, luxury shower and another kitchen space, equipped with a fridge and oven (among other things). It’s here that you will also find books, games and a collection of OS maps for planning your days out and about.

The best place to start is with a simple walk up the hill to the highest meadow in the campsite rewarding you with a gorgeous 270 degree panorama up and down the valley. You can also walk straight onto the Wye Valley Way route, traipsing across the adjoining 5000-acre moorland to the gorgeous lake of Pant y Llyn. Bring some binoculars to spot the best of the birds. And keep your eyes peeled for those monkeys and giraffes too. You can but hope.

Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Cave
Lake
River, stream, or creek
Mountainous
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6 Ratings · 7 reviews
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Hannah B.recommends
May 30, 2023
Skylark - Sleeps 2 Adults + 3 kids
Stunning yurt for proper family tim
We have just had an incredible weekend in this beautiful yurt with everything you could ever need. No electricity in the yurt itself meant proper quality time with our kids. (There is electricity a 1 minute walk away though so don't panic! ) Nothing was too much trouble for Lisa and Jerry. We will definitely be back as we loved it here.
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Martin L.recommends
August 29, 2022
Curlew - Sleeps 2 adults + 3 kids
Excellent
Jerry & Lisa are genuinely nice people and great hosts. The yurt was immaculate and had a very comfy bed and crisp white cotton bedding. The kitchen shed was well equipped and had an beautiful view. The setting is very quiet and has easy access to stunning landscape. The shared facilities are of a high standard and every detail has been thought about. The eggs are amazing. Hope to return someday and take both Yurts for a family get together.
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Helen ?.recommends
August 12, 2019
Skylark - Sleeps 2 Adults + 3 kids
There are two yurts on site, we stayed in Skylark. The views from the decking outside the yurt are fabulous and its a short walk uphill to the open common, with views all round from mid Wales to the north, back to the Brecon Beacons in the south. The hosts Lisa and Jerry are very friendly and helpful and our luggage was taken up to the site which is a short walk uphill from the car parking. The yurt itself is lovely, very spacious for the three of us, two adults and a large teenage boy. Its very cosy when the door is closed, so be careful if its not cold outside and you feel like lighting the stove it does get hot inside. We found the supplied duvet too warm, even without the stove being lit, although its probably great on very cold nights. The separate cooking/dining hut for the yurt is well set up for an area with mixed weather, with plenty of useful pots, cooking utensils and tea, coffee, salt and pepper, the large windows mean its bright inside and with great views out. We've stayed at a few glamping sites and this one is by far the best we've seen, a wonderfully relaxing place in a beautiful setting. If you're lucky one of the resident hares will go zipping past as you sit out on the decking. The road up is steep and the track up to the car park is rough, something to be aware of.
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Elizabeth ?.recommends
July 31, 2019
Skylark - Sleeps 2 Adults + 3 kids
Wonderful 4 days, comfortable beds, new experience with eco toilets, great field for the children to play in, handy to so many places to visit. Owners incredibly helpful and so good with the children.
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Chris S.recommends
June 2, 2019
Curlew - Sleeps 2 adults + 3 kids
I stayed at Kite Hill Yurts for three days with my wife and two children (5 and 7) and can’t recommend it highly enough. The Yurts are spacious and comfortable and really cosy with the log burner on - a big change from a tent! The kitchen cabin makes catering really easy, and the shower and toilet facilities are all really good. But best of all about the site is the stunning location, with incredible views from the meadows and fields you can walk straight onto. Lisa and Jerry couldn’t have been more helpful - not at all intrusive but on hand with really helpful recommendations and advice, and patiently letting the children feed the chickens and lambs, which they loved. Will definitely go back!
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Henry ?.
June 29, 2018
I hardly know where to start with this review. This was our (2 adults and 2 children, aged 6 and 3) first Yurt experience and it couldn't have been better. We knew we were in for something special from the start, as the scenery and the approach through the Beacons up to the farm were simply majestic. The weekend had threatened heavy rain but as it turned out we were fortunate to have the most fantastic weather with which to fully enjoy Kite Hill. We were warmly welcomed by Lisa and Jerry on arrival and our son (whose birthday this escape was to celebrate) was so excited to see where we would be staying. The Yurt (Skylark) was beautiful and cosy, and perfectly suited to our small family but would be equally as nice for a romantic escape. We had planned very little in advance but found we could have spent the whole weekend within a mile of the farm and still felt as if we had made good use of the time. There are great short walks and views from the Yurt up onto the common land at the top of the hill within 100m, with the breathtaking vistas of the Brecons to the south and across the Wye Valley to the east. On site the facilities are beyond reproach, from the perfectly located and resourced kitchenette 'shed' to the great power-shower and refrigeration facilities in the lower hut. There was also a very reasonably priced honesty shop in the utility room for basics that might have been forgotten and fresh eggs from the local hens, along with all kinds of brochures and suggestions for trips out. We grilled food on the BBQ most evenings and sat and star gazed whilst toasting marshmallows over the open fire pit, eventually heading back into the Yurt incredibly satisfied and exhausted for a fantastically restful sleep. The hosts were beyond helpful, knowing when to be there and when to let us have our privacy. Lisa was so kind to let our children both feed their new lambs and collect the eggs laid by their hens, which for them was a definite highlight, whilst also indulging my habit of talking about anything and everything. On a more practical note, we did drive around the local area and found many beautiful places in Wales to enjoy, from wild swimming in the river and enjoying the annual dog show at Pont ar Elan, to ambling around Rhayader and Builth Wells on warm spring evenings. On the return home to London we were advised by Jerry to take the Gospel Pass south of Hay-on-Wye for the views and to enjoy Llanthony Priory on the English-Welsh border, and what a recommendation that was. Our highest accolade can be that our children loved it so much they want to return as soon as they can, and I hope we can find the time to too. Thank you Jerry and Lisa for the most fantastic stay.
Location
Near Erwood, Powys, Wales, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Lisa H.Joined in December 2016
From the host
A magical retreat high up in the hills overlooking the Wye Valley. Two spacious authentic Mongolian yurts each with private facilities set in a wildflower meadow with stunning views of the Black Mountains. Far away from the stress of busy lives Kite Hill Yurts is a wonderful space to reconnect with nature and spend time with loved ones. Each yurt sleeps two adults and up to three children and both yurts are often booked together to allow exclusive use of the site by friends or family. Surrounded by nothing but fields and mountains the night skies are magnificent and the only sounds you’ll hear will be birdsong. Both Skylark and her sister yurt Curlew have comfortable beds, armchairs and a wood burning stove (with fire guard). Each also has a fully equipped wooden kitchen with windows all round to let you enjoy the views whilst being protected from the elements, and a private compost toilet, A shower room and washing up station, together with a fridge for each yurt can be found in the Cabin about 50m from the yurts. There you’ll also find a wealth of information on things to see and do as well as books to borrow. Both yurts have stunning views from the decks. There is plenty of space for children to run around and adults to relax as well as beautiful walks straight from the gate out onto 5,000 acres of wild moorland. Brecon, Hay on Wye, the Elan Valley and the Brecon Beacons National Park are all within easy striking distance or just sit on the deck and watch the kites circling overhead or, once the sun has set, sit round the fire, watch the moon rise over the mountains and look for shooting stars. Your hosts Jerry and Lisa used to live and work in a National Park in Africa and now manage their smallholding for nature, nurturing the wildflower meadow and looking after the flora and fauna on the site. Most guests will see owls and hares during their stay. They are also welcome to visit the small flock of Black Welsh Mountain sheep and feed and collect eggs from the hens. Jerry and Lisa are both Brecon Beacons Ambassadors which means they have a wealth of knowledge about their area and love to recommend things to see and do which you won’t find in guide books. They think that Kite Hill Yurts is a very special place and are passionate about ensuring their guests enjoy it’s magic too.
Nearby attractions

Take a picnic up to the farm's top meadow and enjoy the stunning views out over the Black Mountains and Wye Valley. Or explore the 5000 acres of moorland that adjoin the farm, listen for the curlews, look out for wild ponies or sit and ponder on the shores of the beautiful hilltop lake. Visit the beautiful Elan Valley and hire bikes to ride round the numerous lakes, then watch the red kites being fed at Gigrin Farm. Two charming market towns, Brecon and Hay-on-Wye, are around 25 minutes drive away. Brecon hosts the Jazz Festival in August and Hay the Hay Festival in May/June. Builth Wells, a 15 minute drive away, or a 4 mile walk from the site along the Wye Valley Way, is a lovely quirky town with plenty of independent shops and it’s own little cinema and arts centre. For the energetic, horse riding is available from the Ellesmere Riding Centre (01874 658252) at Llangorse, or you can canoe down the Wye from Glasbury with Wye Valley Canoe Centre (01497 847213), plus, of course, there's cycling, mountain biking and hiking to be enjoyed in Brecon Beacons National Park. If you are feeling lazy just sit back and enjoy the views and keep watch for the hares and owls who are regular visitors to the yurt field.

Food and drink

Lots of great options nearby including the Griffin at Felinfach, a several time winner of Best Dining Pub in Wales, and the Three Horseshoes In Groesfford. Or try the award winning burgers at Hills Brecon. There is also a great variety of excellent independent cafés, pubs and restaurants in Builth, Brecon and Hay. If you’re cooking for yourself, Builth Wells is handy for restocking with a couple of supermarkets and a prize winning local butchers.

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