OUR GREEN STORY
Stewardship of a 10-Acre Dartmoor Haven
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Our Wray Valley Green Story began in January 2019, when we moved in to create a sustainable retreat. We didn’t just see a home; we saw a responsibility. Combining Michelle’s background in Environmental Sustainability with Kevin’s deep roots in Dartmoor, our goal was to create a sanctuary where hospitality and conservation work in harmony.
We believe that “Nearly Wild” doesn’t mean “unmanaged.” It means acting as stewards for a landscape that has been here long before us. Since arriving, we have focused on retrofitting our 1960s home with modern, low-impact technology while dedicating the surrounding 10-acre grounds to nature recovery.
Today, Wray Valley is a thriving corridor for Dartmoor’s most precious species. Whether you are staying in our Whether you are staying in our comfortable B&B, waking up in our campsite or eco-bothies,, you are part of a project dedicated to biodiversity and genuine low-impact living.
The Wray Valley Evolution
Foundations (2019–2021)
Jan 2019: New Stewards.
Moved in and began renovating the 1960s house using local trades and sustainable materials.
Easter 2019: Hospitality Begins
Opened our first guest room, followed by the final two rooms in 2020.
June 2020: First Rescues
Adopted our first ex-battery hens from the British Hen Welfare Trust to help with zero-waste goals.
July 2020: Camping
Opened our Nearly Wild pitches in the woods and Hay Meadow camping in the open fields.
Feb 2021: Heritage Orchard Expansion
Planted 12 traditional South West apple varieties to expand and support our four existing veteran apple trees.
Growth & Nature (2022–2024)
Summer 2022: Dedicated Campsite Facilities
Opened purpose-built showers and toilets for campers. Rehomed cats from Cats Protection for natural rodent control.
Jan 2023: The Big Plant (Moor Trees)
20 volunteers helped plant 1,200 native trees and 200m of hedgerow.
Jan 2023: Green Tourism Gold
Achieved Green Tourism Gold on our first attempt.
Winter 2023/24: Thermal Efficiency
Completed underfloor insulation and smart heating across all guest areas.
Feb 2024: Powering with the Sun
Expanded our Solar PV array and installed battery storage to increase our energy independence.
March 2024: Lower Moor Wood Acquisition
Purchased an additional 2 acres of wet woodland sanctuary, expanding our total estate to 10 acres and securing a vital habitat corridor for the valley’s diverse bird and insect life.
Future Proofing (2024–2026)
Summer 2024: Sustainability Activity Trail
Completed our educational trail, funded by FiPL (Farming in Protected Landscapes). The copy was researched and written by a talented Exeter University intern.
Nov 2024: Treescape Resilience
Planted 45 native saplings via the Saving Devon’s Treescapes scheme
Jan 2025: 88% Gold Score
Re-certified Green Tourism Gold with an increased score of 88% across all operations.
Feb 2025: The Stables Eco-Bothies
Opened our new low-impact Eco-Bothies, offering a refined “nearly wild” stay.
Early 2026: The Future of Heat
Expanded the Teign room and installed our Heat Pump system, moving us further away from fossil fuels.
The Heart of Wray Valley: A Managed Sanctuary
Our 10-acre estate sits within the rare and temperate ‘Atlantic Rainforest’ zone of Devon. Since 2019, our mission has been to restore the native fragments of this precious ecosystem, balancing low-impact hospitality with active nature recovery.
In January 2023, we partnered with Moor Trees to create a vital ‘wildlife highway’. With the help of 20 volunteers, we planted 1,200 native plants to create 200 metres of new, species-rich hedgerow. Featuring over 15 different native species these boundaries act as essential corridors for Dartmoor’s most at-risk wildlife.
To further build landscape resilience, we added 45 native saplings —including Oak, Hazel, and Rowan— via the Saving Devon’s Treescapes scheme in 2024. This grows alongside our heritage orchard, where 12 traditional South West apple varieties now expand upon our four existing veteran trees. Together, these efforts ensure our 6-acre Designated County Wildlife Site remains a thriving sanctuary for the wide varietty of bats and other wildlife that call our valley home – fed by the natural pulse of the Wray Brook as it flows through the heart of our land.
A Living Legacy
Wray Valley is a project in motion. From the ancient fragments of the Dartmoor Rainforest to the 1,257 saplings we have planted since 2019, our role here is one of constant learning and restoration.
By choosing to stay at Wray Valley, you aren’t just booking a room or a pitch; you are supporting the ongoing management of a County Wildlife Site and the recovery of the Dartmoor Rainforest. We invite you to walk our Sustainability Activity Trail, listen to the Wray Brook flowing through our 10 acre sanctuary and experience the incredible birdsong and nocturnal calls of our resident owls that make this landscape so special. See for yourself how this valley is being protected for the generations to come.
The Science Behind the Sanctuary
Our 10-acre nature recovery project is supported by serious sustainable infrastructure. From our 10.5kW solar array and battery storage to our private UV-filtered borehole and 2026 Air Source Heat Pump, we have invested in the technology required to protect this valley for the long term.
