Really Green Yurts at Afton Park

Wightlink has added this year’s most innovative eco-friendly holiday to its Green Getaways programme after The Really Green Holiday Company set up three Mongolian-style Yurts and two cosy Bell Tents in the Afton Park apple orchard. New for 2008, the concept offers eco-friendly holidaymakers an alternative to camping – a relaxing holiday that makes minimum impact on the environment without compromising on comfort.

Larger and sturdier than a regular tent, the luxurious yurts offer full headroom and are furnished with proper beds, tables, chairs and all the equipment you would expect in a holiday cottage. With solid floors and a wood-burning stove, this is not your average camping experience - and Alison Martin of the Really Green Holiday Company hopes it will offer an attractive alternative to hotels and self-catering properties for those with green aspirations but who do not want to sacrifice their home comforts.

Located in the gardens of Afton Park in West Wight, the two large family yurts offer accommodation for up to five people in a double bed, sofa bed and single fold-away bed, and the small ‘Rustic Yurt’ sleeps 2–3 furnished with a double sofa bed and a fold-away single bed. All the yurts have wood-burning stoves, lanterns, rugs, and pine furniture. The two 16ft bell tents are furnished with low beds, ethnic furniture, sheepskin throws and cushions.

Delicious, healthy food is part of the experience, and guests are encouraged to use Island produce from the onsite farm shop and a range of local suppliers, including Brownrigg Poultry, Isle of Wight Cheese, The Garlic Farm, Godshill Organics, and the local farmers markets. All are featured in Wightlink’s innovative Wight Taste Trail around the Island’s scenic countryside.

On the door step
Located close to the historic port of Yarmouth, the world famous coloured cliffs at Alum Bay and, beyond them the Needles, and Tennyson Down. .

Going Green
The site provides comfortable compost toilets, shower cubicles heated by dual solar and wood-burning stove, and solar power is available. The wood used in the stoves is from sustainable woodland, therefore has zero carbon footprint. Guests are encouraged to reduce, recycle and reuse whenever possible.

• 3 yurts and 2 bell tents (sleeping 2–5)
• Onsite farm shop and Apple Tree Café, specialising in organic produce
• Children welcome
• Near footpaths and bridleways of Freshwater Way
• Composting, recycling, wood-burning stoves, solar power
• Close to Afton Marsh and Western Yar Estuary, an area of mudflats, reedbeds and  saltmarsh, full of wildlife

      

Two night weekend breaks from £39pp including Wightlink ferry travel for four people and car.  NB. Open April–October only weekend breaks not available in high season, full week bookings only

Afton Park
The Staples,
Blackbridge Rd,
Freshwater Bay,
Isle of Wight,
PO40 9QJ


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