We are the largest public display centre of this kind in Europe and have won many prizes for our work.
The Centre's 40 acre site (seven acres on public display) has working examples of wind, water and solar power, energy conservation, environmentally sound buildings, self build, organic growing and alternative sewage systems.
You arrive on the site by having a ride on a fantastic water-balanced cliff railway.
The site is famous for its beautiful and atmospheric ambience, a haven of biodiversity and peace surrounded by fields supporting only sheep and forests supporting only one or two tree varieties, but with magnificent mountain vistas.
Kids at CAT
As you walk round the site you can discover many aspects of how we can improve our relationship with the earth's natural resources - working with natural processes rather than exhausting them. It's packed with exciting and informative things to do and see. You can find enough to keep you busy all day and come away with your head buzzing with ideas!
You'll find different means of generating power - wind, wave and water turbines, photovoltaic arrays, and all the control equipment.
If environmental living is your interest, check out the Self Build House and the Low Energy House, where you can find out about energy conservation.
For those wanting to reduce the environmental impact in their own homes, there are displays that take you through the secrets of solar water heating (with a variety of different panels being demonstrated)and tips on energy conservation, recycling, transport and lifestyle.
If gardening is your field then there are extensive and very different gardens to walk around, growing everything from artichokes to azalias and using a variety of organic methods. You can find out about permaculture and organic growing, composting and pest control, and you can even buy some of the plants.
There's plenty for the kids too. Activities to explain about solar,wind and wave power, as well as many other technologies, and an adventure playground and a maze.
There's a smallholding with many different animals - if you have children, they'll love it, but there are important messages too. The Centre has its own reservoir and water supply, and its own sewage systems. In fact this aspect of our work is one of our most famous- we are pioneers in the use of composting toilets and reed beds -make sure you contribute to them when you come! Many of the displays also have applications in developing countries.
Six members of staff live on the site with their families, so it is very much a working demonstration of alternative technology. We generate our own electricity, mainly from renewable sources of energy. Over half the hot water used annually is solar heated and the buildings display many features of ecological design and energy conservation.
While you are here you can take the opportunity to visit the information desk and, by appointment, discuss technical matters in detail with our engineers, biologists, horticulturalists and builders.
What more could you expect from the award-winning, number one `green tourism' centre in Europe?
It is open to the public for most of the year (except three weeks in January).
We're sure you won't be disappointed if you decide to come!