An off-grid glamping retreat in Powys has expanded its offering with the addition of a new café created from a converted shipping container.
By the Wye, located on the banks of the River Wye in Hay-on-Wye, has opened The Treehouse, a 30-foot container café that reflects the resort’s focus on sustainable, off-grid hospitality.
The café operates daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Tuesdays, and is positioned near the bridge beside the river, according to a report by the Powys County Times.
The venue is an extension of By the Wye’s existing eco-focused glamping site, which features five elevated safari tents powered by off-grid solar energy. Each unit includes en-suite showers, flushing toilets, and minimal-impact design.
The property, set within ten acres of mixed ancient woodland, is structured to accommodate wildlife such as owls, bats, badgers, dormice, and otters while providing space for guests.
Owners Dawn Farnworth and Steve Salter, who previously operated a bed and breakfast called The Start for two decades, developed the retreat after purchasing land adjacent to their property. The couple said the new café aligns with the business’s long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism.
“As a family-run business grounded in eco-values, we’re thrilled to introduce The Treehouse, a place where sustainability, community and nature converge,” said Farnworth and Salter.
“Our off-grid café is an expression of our commitment to low-impact hospitality, melding comfort with green design. It’s our way of growing the By the Wye experience, without growing our footprint.”
The Treehouse offers hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and plant-based alternatives, with a family-friendly, wheelchair-accessible layout and riverside play area. The business is operated by the couple alongside their son, Dan, an arborist, and his family.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the project highlights how diversification—through amenities such as cafés, retail spaces, or activity hubs—can enhance the guest experience while staying aligned with brand values.
By repurposing a shipping container, the business demonstrates a cost-effective approach to expansion that appeals to sustainability-minded travelers, a growing market segment within the glamping and eco-tourism industries.
