Wrapping up April & Welcoming May: Exciting Openings, Events & Updates at Wray Valley
Once again it’s been nearly two months since our last newsletter and we hope you all had a Happy Easter! We were full of good intentions for you to get this newsletter for Easter but somehow it came and went before we had a chance. We’ve mainly been very busy redesigning the website and we wanted to finish that before sending this out. We’ve also been out and about for a couple of walks and getting on with tidying the garden while we had some nice weather.
Why not take a few moments catch up on everything that’s been happening at our lovely B&B, Eco-Bothies and Campsite.
Happy reading!
- Hay Meadow Camping Field Now Open
- Discover Our Unique Eco-Bothies
- Sustainable Travel at Wray Valley
- Introducing Our Website Revamp
- Destination for Educational Visits & Youth Group Adventures
- Experience Traditional English Festivities
- Moreton Music Day: Celebrating Local Talent
- Enchanted Bluebell Woods
- Exploring Dartmoor: An Epic 17km Hike Through Open Moorland and Stone Circles
- Rainforest Discovery Day
- Whats On Locally in 2025
Hay Meadow Camping Field Now Open
A Unique Summer Experience at Wray Valley
We’re excited to announce that our Hay Meadow Camping Field is open now until the end of October! Featuring large terraced family pitches within a sloping wildflower meadow, it’s the perfect escape for nature enthusiasts and families alike. We’ve seen quite a few campers already enoying the sunny weather at the start of April. With the mini-heatwave forecast for next week why not slip in a quick escape to Dartmoor.
Don’t miss your chance to secure a spot for the summer holidays, as spaces are filling up fast! If you can’t find availability in the Hay Meadow, don’t worry! We still have plenty of space in our nearly wild small pitches and Eco-Bothies, offering unique experiences that cater to different preferences. And for those who can get away before the school holidays start, you’ll find ample availability to come and enjoy the tranquility of Wray Valley.
Please note that some changes have had to be made to pitch locations this year. The “Nearly Wild in the Hay Meadow” and “Green” pitches have been relocated as part of our planning permission for the campsite. These pitches were identified as being within the 1:100 year flood zone, so we’ve taken measures to ensure your safety and comfort. “Green” is now smaller but more level, situated a few meters up the slope, while “Nearly Wild” can be found at the top of the field beyond the Orchard, surrounded by trees for increased seclusion but unfortunately its now closer to the road.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the beauty of Wray Valley. Book your stay today and create lasting memories in our enchanting Dartmoor landscape!
Discover Our Unique Eco-Bothies
Converted Stables for a Comfortable, Eco-Friendly Stay
Step into a unique getaway experience at Wray Valley with our converted stables eco-bothies. While not traditional glamping, these spacious family-sized bunkrooms offer a delightful upgrade from regular camping, providing a warm and cosy shelter for your holiday.
Each eco-bothy features a small log burner to keep you toasty on cooler evenings, comfortable mattresses for a restful night’s sleep, and a table with chairs for enjoying meals or playing games. All you need to bring is your sleeping bag and cooking supplies, or opt for a stress-free experience by booking your meals at our B&B!
Shared toilets and showers are available for both campers and eco-bothy guests. Additionally, an outside private seating area with a BBQ provides the perfect setting for dining al fresco, connecting with nature, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Book your stay in one of our eco-bothies today and enjoy a memorable and environmentally conscious retreat at Wray Valley.
Find out more and book your stay today!
Sustainable Travel at Wray Valley
Electric Vehicle Chargers
Since 2022, Wray Valley has been promoting sustainable transportation by offering electric vehicle (EV) chargers and recently getting our own eco-friendly EV. We have a 7 kW EV charger at the B&B and another in the Hay Meadow for guests with electric vehicles to use (extra fees apply).
Our New Eco-Friendly EV
In our ongoing commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, we purchased a second-hand electric car at the end of March for our personal use. Currently, we have been able to charge it entirely with surplus energy from our solar panels. However, this may change as guest numbers increase, which will require us to allocate more solar energy to heating water for our visitors. Nonetheless, we are excited about the potential of using renewable energy sources for sustainable transportation.
Experience the beauty of Dartmoor while supporting our eco-friendly initiatives at Wray Valley. Book your stay today and take advantage of our convenient EV charging options while enjoying tranquil accomodation. Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment.
Introducing Our Website Revamp
A Fresh Look & Enhanced User Experience
We’re excited to introduce the newly revamped Wray Valley website, featuring a modern design and sleek layout to enhance your browsing experience. Our goal was to create an intuitive and visually appealing platform that reflects our commitment to sustainability and showcases the beauty of Dartmoor.
As you explore the new website, you’ll discover updated information about our accommodation, camping, and experiences, along with stunning imagery that captures the essence of Wray Valley. The improved navigation ensures that you can easily find what you’re looking for, whether it’s details about our B&B, Eco-Bothies, Campsite, or the various activities we offer.
While we’ve taken great care to ensure a smooth transition, we appreciate your understanding and patience as we finalise any last touches. If you come across any glitches, such as missing links or broken pages, please don’t hesitate to let us know so we can address them promptly. Your feedback is invaluable to us, as we strive to provide an exceptional online experience for our visitors.
Thank you for choosing Wray Valley, and we look forward to welcoming you to our sustainable retreat soon!
Destination for Educational Visits & Youth Group Adventures
We strive to foster a love for nature and sustainable living at Wray Valley, so this makes us an ideal location for educational visits and youth group experiences, catering to all ages and interests. Our site is already a popular choice for Duke of Edinburgh Expedition groups and scout camps, providing an enriching environment to learn and explore. We are well-equipped to accommodate home-educated children’s groups, day visits, overnight camping trips, and various youth organisations.
Our range of onsite activities offers a diverse learning experience for young minds. Engage in hands-on activities such as pond and river dipping, nature walks, orienteering, sustainability trails, and educational workshops focused on conservation. We also encourage teamwork and practical skills through campfire cookery and pioneering sessions, and simple team-building exercises.
At Wray Valley, we are committed to promoting environmental awareness and fostering personal growth for all our visitors. We tailor activities to suit your group’s interests and objectives, ensuring a memorable experience that inspires a love for nature and sustainable living. We can run your sessions or simply provide a base for you to hold your own events.
To find out more about hosting your educational visit or youth group event at Wray Valley, please contact us today. we are eager to help you plan an engaging and enriching adventure that your class or group will cherish for years to come.
Experience Traditional English Festivities
Lustleigh May Day Celebrations
Next weekend, Lustleigh celebrates May Day. Its quite a big deal with people coming out from neighbouring towns to witness it. Festivities start at noon with Morris dancing outside the pub and a fete in the Community Orchard. The procession of the May Queen starts in the Community Orchard at 2pm – goes on a mile long walk around the village led by a band and ends up in front of the church for a blessing. It then returns to the Community Orchard for the crowning of the May Queen on the top of the traditional May Queen Rock. This is followed by local children performing Maypole dances. It’s a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and celebrate the arrival of spring. Parking is in a field outside the village.
Green Man Festival in Bovey Tracey
Saturday 26 April saw the annual lively Green Man Festival in Bovey Tracey, organised by the enthusiastic Grimspound Border Morris. It includes a colourful procession of Morris sides dancing down the high street, accompanied by vibrant music and energetic performances. A variety of stalls are present and the sides dance at several locations throughout the day, as the community comes together to celebrate the coming of summer and the renewal of life.
Moreton Music Day: Celebrating Local Talent
Immerse yourself in the vibrant music scene of Moretonhampstead through two exciting free events: Moretonhampstead Music Day and Mini Music Day. These annual celebrations bring together talented musicians and music enthusiasts for unforgettable experiences showcasing the rich local talent.
Moretonhampstead Music Day – 6 July
Moretonhampstead Music Day is a well-established event that has been running for years, featuring a diverse range of musical genres and performers of all ages on several stages around the town. From seasoned professionals to up-and-coming artists, this day-long festival offers a chance to discover new sounds and appreciate the area’s musical heritage.
Mini Music Day – 5 May
Mini Music Day, a spin-off of the original event, focuses exclusively on young performers aged 18 and under. This inspiring showcase provides a platform for the next generation of musicians, fostering their growth and allowing them to share their passion with the community. Enjoy performances this Bank Holiday Monday from solo artists, choirs, and bands, and witness the immense talent of Dartmoor’s budding musicians.
Both events are free to attend, making them accessible to all. They foster a sense of community and offer a fantastic opportunity to support local artists while enjoying a diverse range of musical styles. Whether you’re a music aficionado or simply looking for a fun day out, Moretonhampstead Music Day and Mini Music Day promise memorable experiences for all ages.
Enchanted Bluebell Woods
Experience Dartmoor’s Breathtaking Spring Display
The stunning bluebell season is almost upon us at Wray Valley, as the first delicate blooms begin to create a breathtaking blue haze in our wood and across Dartmoor. The warm April weather has encouraged an early arrival of these beautiful flowers, signaling the arrival of spring and offering an unforgettable experience for nature lovers. There are even some now appearing in the Hay Meadow.
Why not use Wray Valley as your base for exploring the Dartmoor’s bluebells? Our camping options, including the Charcoal pitch and hammock camping, are surrounded by bluebells and other wildflowers allow you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the woods while enjoying the comfort of our eco-friendly facilities.
The bluebell woods and bluebell covered hillsides of Dartmoor are truly a sight to behold, and our location offers easy access to renowned bluebell walks such as neighbouring Wray Cleave. Whether you’re up for a challenging hike or a leisurely stroll, we have suggestions of the best places to go and see them.
Don’t miss the chance to witness the magic of bluebell season at Wray Valley. Plan your visit today and discover the wonders of Dartmoor’s enchanting bluebell displays!
Exploring Dartmoor: An Epic 17km Hike Through Open Moorland and Stone Circles
At the beginning of April we went on a long hike with friends. It was such a brilliant sunny day we decided to head up on to the open moorland from Fernworthy Reservoir, taking in Teign-e-ver Clapper Bridge, Scorhill stone circle, then following the boundary stones round to Watern Tor. We had some fun crossing the North Teign River via the Manga Rail and then returned to our start at the reservoir. This walk does not yet appear amongst our suggested walks on our website but its just one of many we can recommend if you need some ideas.
Rainforest Discovery Day
Join the National Park Outreach team for a day of wildlife discoveries in Yarner Wood to find out more about all the awesome wildlife that lives in our very own Rainforest!
There will be Free Hands-on activities for children and family friendly wildlife walks in the woods to find out what makes Dartmoor’s woodlands so special. Walks are bookable in advance and will repeated through the day.
There will also be drop in activities, like stream dipping, microscopes and arty fun. There will be coffee and refreshments available. Follow the ticket link to find out more.
Whats On Locally in 2025
There’s something happening throughout the year so why not plan your stay around a local event. Here’s a few of the regular fixtures to get you started, the dates for some are still to be confirmed (tbc) and we’ll update them in future newsletters and send out reminders on facebook.
Many, but not all, of the links below are on Facebook
- Bovey Tracey Green Man Festival – Last Saturday in April (26 April), pagan merriment, music and stalls
- Templar Way – Sunday 23rd April – Charity walk in aid of Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team – Ashburton
- Lustleigh May Day – first Saturday in May (3 May)
- Moreton Mini Music Day – 5 May – Free little music festival celebrates musicians, aged 18 and under.
- Rainforest Discovery Day – 10 May – Yarner Wood
- Bovey Craft Festival – 6 – 8 June, over 200 makers, workshops over 3 days
- Moretonhampstead Flag Festival – Postponed until 2026
- Moreton Music Day – 6 July – day of free music (noon till midnight) at several locations around the town in aid of local charities.
- Bovey Tracey Carnival – starts last Saturday in July ending with the parade the following Saturday
- Dartmoor Folk Festival – 8-10 August, South Zeal
- Moretonhampstead Carnival Food Festival – first day of carnival week on 16 August
- Chagford Show, 21 August
- 100th Moreton Carnival – a week of fun with a parade of floats on 21 August
- Manaton Show and Fair – 9 August, traditional village fair
- Lustleigh Show – August Bank Holiday Monday 27 August
- Dartmoor Outdoor Festival – 29 August to 5 September, celebrating community and the best of what Dartmoor has to offer
- Bovey Festival – Food & Drink – tbc normally first Saturday in September
- Widecombe Fair – 9 September (always the second Tuesday)
- Devon Open Studios – 6 – 22 September 2025
- Lustleigh Boxing Day Duck Dash – December 26
Thanks for Reading
As always, thank you for your support and for choosing Wray Valley. We hope to see you soon, creating new memories and celebrating the beauty of Dartmoor together. As we wrap up this edition of our newsletter, we hope that you’ve found it an enjoyable read. We encourage you to share our newsletter with friends who might also appreciate the insights and updates from Wray Valley.
Your support means the world to us. We’d be truly grateful if you could take a moment to like and follow us on social media (@WrayValley) and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. By doing so, you’ll stay connected with our latest news, events, and developments, as well as help others discover the beauty and excitement of Wray Valley.
We wish you a wonderful time ahead, filled with unforgettable adventures, memorable experiences, and precious moments with loved ones. We look forward to sharing more stories and updates with you in the coming months and hopefully seeing you here soon. Until next time!
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