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Riverside B&B and Wray Valley Camping

Relax – Enjoy – Explore

Riverside B&B and Wray Valley Camping

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, designed to provide you with all the essential information you need to make your stay at Wray Valley as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We understand that booking and preparing for a trip often comes with various questions, and we’re here to help. Whether you’re wondering about our facilities, activities, or simply about what makes us tick, this page has got you covered. Simply browse through the categories, and click on the questions that interest you to find the answers you’re looking for. If you can’t find the information you need, don’t hesitate to reach out to us – we’re always happy to assist you further. Happy planning, and we look forward to welcoming you at Wray Valley soon!

We do not currently take a payment as part of the online reservation process but we do require a minimum 25% deposit to be made within 7 days to retain it. 

On completing the reservation process, you will immediately receive an automated email confirmation and in the top right hand corner you will find our bank details. 

After 30 minutes you will receive a longer email with more ways to pay including a QR code which will allow you to pay by card.  We can also accept payment by card over the phone or we can send a payment link on request.  

The balance should be paid at least 14 days before arrival. 

If you make your booking less than 7 days before your arrival date then the full amount should be paid rather than a deposit.

Yes we do.  We can accept payment by cash, card, phone and bank transfer.  The bank details are on the top of the confirmation – just below our address.  Also you can scan the QR code in the confirmation email to get a payment link to pay by card.

You should get a confirmation email as soon as you make your booking and another with more on how to pay about 30 mins later.  These emails are produced automatically by our booking system called FreetoBook.com.  If you don’t receive anything check your spam folder, and if there is nothing there get in contact to make sure we have your correct email address. 

There are many advantages to booking direct rather than through an Online Travel Agent (OTA). 

  1. Its generally cheaper to book direct: OTAs charge us a commission, which could be up to 20% of the booking. By booking directly, you could save this amount, or know that the full amount is coming to us for your stay.  However, the OTAs are keen to keep you as their loyal customer so they may offer a discount or credit so it is always worth comparing our rate against theirs.
  2. More Flexibility: Booking directly with us gives you more flexibility with your reservation and better communication about your preferences. Whether you’d like to cancel your booking, make an amendment, or let us know about a special requirement, it’s much easier when speaking to us rather than through a middle-man. 
  3. Instant confirmation when booking: When making a reservation directly with us, there’s no risk of discrepancy regarding the availability of your room. You can have confidence knowing that your booking is instantly approved and secured. When using an OTA there is always a slight delay and a risk that someone has booked the room you want just before you.

We are located midway between Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead on the A382 and have a back entrance from the Wray Valley Trail.  Our location is shown clearly on both Google and Apple Maps.  Simply search for Wray Valley Camping or Riverside B&B.  Our Contact Us page has more information and you will be sent an email shortly before arrival with more instructions.

Yes, there are taxis that you can take from major transport hubs without pre-booking.  But if you are taking a short local journey its best to book as far in advance as possible so that you can use one of the firms based in Moretonhampstead or Bovey Tracey, please ask us for recommendations.  Taxis coming from further afield will charge for their empty return journey as well making them very expensive.  It is definitely not possible to “get an uber”!   

Yes, there are buses from here to Newton Abbot, Tavistock and Okehampton. From Moretonhampstead and Bovey Tracey you can get buses to Exeter. Lots more information and links to timetables and routes are provided on our sustainable transport page. Please note that most buses do not run on Sundays.

Yes, we have direct access from the Wray Valley Trail down a small path and across a wooden bridge.  You will receive detailed directions a few days before you are due to arrive. 

Yes you can.

We have a Zappi EV charger for your car – additional fees apply. 

Yes, you can charge your ebike for free.  We will show you where it can be charged safely.  Please do not charge it in your room or in the shower block as it is a fire hazard.

Our B&B rooms are normally available for check-in between 4pm and 9pm. Check-ins outside these hours may be available if requested.  You are welcome to relax in the guest lounge or explore our grounds if you arrive early.

We do ask you to let us know approximately what time you will arrive so we can ensure that someone is here and near the house when you get here.  Remember we have 10 acres of grounds and we could be some distance away. 

Breakfast is normally served between 8:00 and 9:30 am.  We do ask you to let us know approximately what time you want it, so we can help and explain how it works and restock items if necessary.  We can also then be on hand to get you a bacon bap if requested (see next question). 

If you require breakfast before 8 am please let us know and we’ll make sure everything is available in the fridge the night before.

Our continental buffet breakfast is included in the B&B rate.  An example breakfast menu can be found here.

Please note that we do not serve a “Full English Breakfast”, but you can opt to have one of our breakfast baps cooked to order for a small supplement.

Check-out from your B&B room is by 11 am.

You are welcome to relax in the guest lounge or explore our grounds if you wish to leave later.  You can also leave your car here while you go for a walk. 

No, there isn’t a refrigerator in each room but there is one in the guest lounge which is available for you to use.  

No, the layout of our site means that this is not feasible.  If you require a pitch at the top of the hill close to the car park please let us know. 

We allow trailer tents on the “Red” and “Orange” pitches only.  You need to be able to wheel them down to the pitch and back again.

We also provide wheelbarrows for you to transport your equipment

We are a tent-only campsite.  

Our campsite licence does not permit camping in campervans, caravans or motorhomes. 

  • The car park area is sloping and not suitable for sleeping.  
  • As vehicles are not permitted in the pitches the campsite is not suitable for roof-tents.
  • Trailer tents are permitted if you can detach them from your vehicle and wheel them down to (and back up from) your pitch manually.  We suggest you request the orange or red pitch!

We recommend you go to one of the many campsite listing sites e.g. UKcampsite.co.uk and use the search filters to find a site that meets your requirements. 

The maximum sized rectangle that can be fitted on each pitch are given as part of the description.  It is not recommended that you take up the entire space with a tent as you will have no space to walk around it or have a campfire. 

Yes, you can, but they must be a safe distance apart (3m) and a safe distance from any campfire. Our large pitches are priced based on 4 people in whatever combination of tents you like.  We charge extra for additional people not tents!

Our small pitches are designed for up to 3 people.  For guidance Oak pitch can accomodate up to 3 one berth tents and Charcoal and Fruit Cage can take 2 each.  

 

During the booking process state your preferred pitch in the special requests section and we’ll do our best.  If it is not available we’ll let you know.

Take a look at our site map to work out where each pitch is located.

The closest pitches in the Hay Meadow are right next to the car park.  The furthest pitch is the Nearly Wild Small pitch called Oak, which is about 150 m.  If there is space in the B&B parking area you may be able to park there to unload. 

Yes you can.  

Each Nearly Wild pitch has its own campfire place, either a ring on the ground or a raised pit.  Please do not move the location of these or create your own without asking permission. 

There are two shared campfire circles in the Hay Meadow: one between the blue and green pitches and the other down by the river.  

There are fire baskets for use on the other pitches.  You are welcome to bring your own fire pits provided these have legs to raise them off the grass.  We also have breeze blocks that you can use to put a BBQ on if it does not have legs.  

If we have a prolonged spell of dry weather we reserve the right to restrict the use of BBQs and fires in the Hay Meadow for safety reasons.

Don’t forget we also run our own campfire cookery experiences if you want to learn to cook something other than marshmallows.

Yes we do.  The logs come from the maintenance we have done in woods so are irregular in shape and size.  We sell them in reusable buckets – please bring the bucket back once its empty so we can refill them!

Yes.  

We have 6 large pitches in the Hay Meadow and 1 large nearly wild pitch in the woods.  These are priced on 4 people sharing but can take more.  We also have 3 small nearly wild pitches which are suitable for 2 or 3 people sharing.   

We do not have a maximum capacity as such but we would not like to go above 30 people for more than 1 or 2 nights in a row.  It puts too much strain on our septic tank, the queues for the showers get too long and we run out of space in the car park.  There is some flexibility based on the number of groups and the combination of adults and children present on the site.

 

No we don’t. We provide sustainable low impact camping. 

  • We provide phone charging lockers where you can recharge phones, powerbanks etc for free. 
  • We are happy to freeze iceblocks for your cool boxes and the river will keep most things cool.
  • We are fully licensed and have a wide selection of locally produced drinks and ice cream. 

There are separate bins and containers for each waste stream at the rear of the shed in the Hay Meadow car park.

Please

  • SEPARATE your waste into different types at your tent.
  • EMPTY food containers into the food waste bin, then RINSE the containers and place them in the appropriate waste stream, i.e. card, plastic, glass or metal. 
  • Nappies need to be placed in the hazardous waste bags provided by the bins.
  • Do not put any liquids in the bins.
  • If you are unsure ask us rather than putting it in the general waste.

Unwanted but usable food can be left in the campers’ kitchen or given to us.  There may be someone who would really like that tin of beans or bag of pasta.

Gas cylinders and other unwanted camp equipment should be taken home with you. The only exception is tent material (not the poles and pegs) which can be given to us to pass on to the Moretonhampstead Flag Festival.

Nappies must be placed in the hazardous waste bags provided by the bins.  

Yes we do.  We are both experienced DofE supervisors and assessors and are up to date with the DofE expedition section requirements at all levels.  As part of our commitment to encouraging young people to enjoy the outdoors safely we offer a discount to all participants and leaders. 

Call us to discuss what you need whether its the whole Hay Meadow field or just the Water Meadow for one Gold team. 

We are also happy to advise on the best routes nearby and are available at freelance rates if you need an additional assessor or supervisor for your expedition.  

Kevin and Michelle are both registered to assess Scout expeditions and Michelle can assess Guide expeditions.  These are done on a voluntary basis but a mileage contribution is appreciated.

No, we don’t have a campers fridge. 

We are more than happy to freeze ice blocks for your cool box for free. You can also keep things cold by placing them in a bag in the stream. 

Another hack that works well is standing your items that you need to keep cool in a bowl of water in the shade.  Then cover them with a wet towel, making sure the towel trails in the water in the bowl.  The latent heat of evaporation of the water from the towel will keep them cool.

No, we don’t.  But there are three places that sell them in Moretonhampstead

You can get lovely vegan marshmallows from the Zero Waste Shop, ones with gelatine in them from the butchers and cheap ones from the Co-op.

Yes you can bring your companion.  We even have a free “doggy welcome pack” that we’ll put in your room if you let us know. 

The first dog is free – we make a small charge per night per dog if you bring more than 1 dog.  

Please keep you dog under your control at all times.  For most dogs this will mean that they must be on a lead when outside the building.  Please remember that we have free range chickens.

Yes we do.  There is no charge.  Please note that the dogs must be under your control at all times.  For most dogs this will mean they need to be kept on a lead.  Don’t forget we have free range chickens and a lot of wildlife.  

All dog poop must be collected immediately. If you have compostable dog poop bags these can be disposed of in the treebog compost toilet.  We have a supply at the B&B – just ask and you can have some for free.  If you have used a non-compostable dog poop bag then it must go in the general waste bin in the Hay Meadow.

If a walk around the grounds is not far enough, we recommend the Wray Valley Trail or across the road into Wray Cleave.

Yes of course we can, but we need to know a bit more about what you like to do.  We have lots of ideas and can suggest itineraries to suit your group.  The See and Do section of our website should be your starting point with everything from sightseeing, hiking and cycling to on-site experiences.  The Visit Dartmoor website is brimming with lots of useful information and ideas no matter what you are interested in.

There are a couple of deeper spots in our river where you can go for a dip.  But if you want to combine it with a walk then take a look at Get Active Outdoors of our website for some ideas. 

Ok, so you do realise that you are as far from the beach that you can get in Devon…..

That being said the nearest beach is probably at Teignmouth about 30 minutes drive.  Just over the River Teign in Shaldon is Ness Cove which you reach on foot from the car park through a smugglers tunnel. 

Please note that many beaches do not allow dogs in the summer.  

We have put quite of our favourites walks here but please ask us if you want something different or more challenging.  Don’t forget we also offer guided walks and navigation training. 

Yes, we offers several engaging activities on-site for you to enjoy:
  1. Orienteering Course: Test your navigation skills and explore the grounds with our free short orienteering course. This activity is perfect for individuals, families, or groups looking for a fun and adventurous experience.  Just ask us for the map.
  2. Sustainability Activity Trail (currently in development): Learn about the local environment and our commitment to sustainability through our self-guided activity trail. This educational experience is suitable for all ages and highlights the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.
  3. Campfire Cooking: Gather around the campfire for a fun and interactive cooking experience that the whole family will enjoy. Learn the art of preparing and cooking delicious meals over an open flame.
  4. Pizza Experience: Dive into the world of pizza-making with our hands-on pizza experience. Perfect for families and friends looking to bond over a fun and flavourful activity.
  5. Navigation Training: Enhance your outdoor skills with our navigation training, led by experienced instructors. Gain confidence in reading maps, using compasses, and navigating through various terrains. Ideal for individuals or groups seeking to develop valuable outdoor skills.

Have you looked at our Eating In page? It gives lots of detail about what we offer.

Yes we do.  It is a limited choice and must be pre-booked at least 24 hours before. This gives us a chance to prepare it and also allows you to make alternative arrangements if we cannot provide a meal on the night you want it. 

No we don’t as the vast majority of our guests in the B&B do not want it, especially when they see the array of homemade products included in the breakfast buffet.  We do offer breakfast baps (bacon/egg) for a small additional charge and we have noticed that few of our B&B guests order these although they are very popular with our campers.

Yes, you will receive an email about 4 days before you arrive with our suggestions of places to eat locally.  We recommend checking their opening hours and making a reservation to avoid disappointment.  We can make recommendations of places to eat when out and about too.

The woodfired pizza oven takes a couple of hours to get hot and a lot of wood to keep it going.  We only fire it up when 

  • There are a lot of potential customers
  • The forecast is for dry weather 

This tends to be on a Saturday night during the summer – if we are lucky with the English weather. 

The pizza evenings are run as social events not as a takeaway as we do not want to fill up our waste bins with cardboard boxes.

If you want a pizza then why not book our pizza experience or borrow our mobile pizza oven. 

Yes we do. 

Wray Valley holds a licence to sell alcohol, primarily for those who don’t want to drive to local pubs, or arrive here on foot or by bike.  

We are delighted to spotlight some of the wonderful producers we have in Devon, and have decided to ONLY stock drinks produced here in the county.  

Campers may use the guest lounge and patio when they have purchased drinks from the bar.

Yes. All the water from the taps (except in the treebog) is pumped from own borehole next to the treatment shed in the Hay Meadow.  Nothing is added to the water. It is treated to remove debris, balance the pH and remove iron and manganese which affect the taste.  It is aerated and passed through a UV filter, as a result it can appear cloudy with bubbles when it comes out of the tap but the bubbles soon dissipate.  

Please don’t buy bottled water transported from miles away – our Dartmoor spring water is far nicer, free and much more sustainable. 

The treatment system is serviced annually.

The mobile signal here at Wray Valley is poor as we are in a steep sided valley.  EE and 3 are better than O2 and Vodafone.  We have free WiFi available for our guests and campers.  However please be aware that we are at the end of a long phone line and our maximum download speed is currently 10Mbps.  This is not really enough to support streaming and gaming for everyone but it is adequate for researching your days out and making calls. The WiFi code is on the notice board in the B&B and in the info book on the campsite.

No, but we do sell logs and our own produce when available.  We also sell a variety of locally produced drinks and ice cream.  Just come and see us in the B&B or stop us in the grounds.  

If you need a camping essential do come and ask as we may be able to lend you something until you have a chance to go and buy a replacement.  

The nearest place to buy gas is Moreton Stores on the way to Moretonhampstead and Trago Mills is the closest place for other camping and outdoor equipment.

The shops in Moretonhampstead stock most essentials and the Co-op is open 7am to 10pm every day. 

We moved here in January 2019 from a village north of Exeter.  The house was previously occupied by the same family for 30 years who had extended it substantially in all directions.  We’ve renovated throughout while living here and opened the B&B with 1 room in April 2019.  All 3 rooms were ready to open by Easter 2020.  The campsite opened in July 2020.  

Not as much as you do in urban areas. We did lose two hens to a cheeky male fox in December 2023 but we don’t see them when the campsite is busy.  Our rural foxes are more nervous of people. 

Roe and fallow deer are frequent visitors, along with buzzards and owls. Because of our varied habitat we have many types of bats, butterflies, moths and insects can be found across the Hay Meadow and woodland areas. Kingfishers and otters have occasionally been seen on the brook. If you spot something interesting why not upload your observation to iNaturalist.

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