Spring into Action: Updates, Discoveries, and Adventures
It’s been two months since our last newsletter, and what a busy couple of months it has been! Spring has finally graced us with its presence, and we’re eager to share all the exciting updates, transformations, and stories from Wray Valley. So, grab a cuppa, find a cosy spot in the sunshine, and let’s catch up on everything that’s been happening at our lovely B&B and campsite.
Spring’s Awakening in the Wray Valley
As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, spring has finally breathed new life into the Wray Valley. The once bare trees have begun to bud, and vibrant flowers like daffodils, snowdrops, crocus, and primrose are lifting our spirits with their cheerful presence. Did you know the primrose is the Devon County flower? These bursts of color remind us of the beauty and resilience of nature.
Spring also brings the enchanting scarlet elfcups, a widespread but uncommon fungus that thrives in damp areas, and the delightful sight of frogspawn in our ponds. Here are some interesting facts and myths about these spring treasures:
- According to folklore, finding scarlet elfcups brings good luck and happiness.
- Frogspawn is a sign of fertility and rebirth, symbolising the cycle of life.
- In some cultures, it’s believed that scarlet elfcups grant wishes if you whisper them to the cup-shaped fungi.
Whether fact or myth, there’s no denying the magic and wonder of spring when it arrives at Wray Valley.
Introducing Wray Valley B&B – A Unified Experience
We’re delighted to announce that our beloved B&B has a new name – Wray Valley B&B! This change aligns our accommodation with the rest of our business and our social media presence, making it easier for you to find and connect with us. Plus, answering the phone just got a whole lot simpler! 😄
Rest assured, we’re still located at the picturesque Riverside and stay committed to providing the same award-winning service you’ve come to love. Speaking of changes, have you noticed our new, larger signs at the entrance? We hope they make finding us even more effortless.
Don’t wait to experience the beauty of spring at Wray Valley B&B – book your stay today and immerse yourself in the natural splendors of our charming location!
Eco-Bothies: A Unique, Sustainable Stay
Experience a one-of-a-kind getaway here at Wray Valley with our new stables eco-bothies. While they’re not glamping, these family-sized bunkrooms provide a more comfortable, sheltered, and warmer option than traditional camping.
Excited to try our eco-bothies? Book your unique stay and discover a new way to enjoy Wray Valley’s beauty. We look forward to welcoming you!
🌟 Early Bird Offer:
Enjoy a 20% discount on your booking before the official launch before Easter. Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to experience our eco-bothies at a special rate.
Find out more and book your stay today!
Sustainability Trail is Nearly Complete: Only 3 Nest Boxes to Go
Progress has been a little slower than hoped as the volunteers in the Community Shed in Moretonhampstead have been busy making nest boxes for the Pine Marten reintroduction project (see below). They’ve now completed the 4 small nest boxes, ideal for tits which we’ve puyt up. They’ve almost finished a sumptuous large nest box for tawny owls and now only have the 2 bat maternity roost boxes left to make. Look out for a social media post in the next couple of weeks showing us putting these up in the woods.
Once again, we’d like to thank the Dartmoor National Park’s Farming in Protected Landscape Team and the University of Exeter. Without their financial assistance, developing the trail would not have been possible.
Conservation Milestones
Discover the Two Moors Pine Marten Project
The Two Moors Pine Marten Project has made significant strides in reintroducing Pine Martens to Dartmoor, including some released here in the Wray Valley. These elusive predators play a vital role in our ecosystem, contributing to its balance and biodiversity.
Learn more about Pine Martens and their ecological impact.
On another note, have you heard about the recent Beaver announcement?
The UK government’s decision to allow licensed unfenced wild beaver release marks an essential step in the conservation of these industrious animals. Michelle, has been involved in beaver reintroduction studies since her MSc dissertation in 2001, including working on the River Otter Beaver Trial monitoring 2015 – 2020.
If you’re passionate about beavers and rewilding, explore the Moor Barton Wilding project!
Located just up the hill, this 100 acre project features a 6 acre enclosed beaver habitat currently with 5 beavers. They hold regular volunteer Fridays and weekends in the summer. Michelle went to visit on an open day in February.
We always have conservation work you can get involved in while you are here or if you live locally why not come and give us a hand. There’s always something to do!
Stay with us while volunteering
While its possible to camp at Moor Barton while volunteering we’ve had several volunteers opt for a comfortable bed and a shower after a hard day’s work by staying in our B&B. And now there’s the Eco-Bothies too.
Share Your Feedback and Win: Our Valued Prize Draw
In January we were delighted to welcome back Jo, Magnus, and Alec from Yelverton – our lucky prize draw winners from last year! Their family enjoyed a well-deserved stay in our spacious family room, showcasing our commitment to tailoring experiences for each guest.
Every December, we hold a prize draw to thank you for sharing your valuable feedback. Simply complete our questionnaire during your visit, and you could win a 2-night stay for 2 people in our delightful double room. We love hearing from you and value your constructive feedback to help us improve!
🌟 To increase your chances of winning, encourage everyone in your group to do it. Even day visitors are welcome to enter the draw!
Plan your unforgettable getaway at Wray Valley today and discover the magic of our B&B, Campsite, and Eco-Bothies: www.wrayvalley.co.uk
Don’t miss out on this year’s draw! Share your thoughts with us during your visit, and you could be our next lucky winner. We can’t wait to hear from you! Just scan the QR code around the site or on the email you get on the last night of your stay🤩.
Did you know our beautiful wooded valley was once a bustling site for iron ore mining?
The Wray Valley, with its oak woods and picturesque views, was once home to a thriving micaceous haematite mining industry, also known as “shiny ore.” From the 18th century to the early 20th century, mines like Kelly Mine, Great Rock Mine, Pepperdon/Moorwood Mine and Wray Mine played a significant role in extracting this valuable resource, which was primarily used as a base ingredient in rust-resistant paint.
We recently spend a day helping to clear the rampant undergrowth from the remains of Wray Mine, its visible on a simple walk from here through Wray Cleave. Take a look at this walk and our other walk suggestions.
Although the mines have long since closed, remnants of this fascinating history can still be found throughout the valley. Take a journey through time and explore the rich industrial past that shaped the Wray Valley we cherish today. Visit Kelly Mine on a Sunday or Wednesday. Visitors to the site can trace the whole process from mining the ore, via the adit and shaft, to the dispatch of the final product from the drying shed. The ore washing, jigging and stamping equipment is operational as is the other machinery in the mill. The settling tanks, waterwheels and the mine tramway, with its wagons and haulage winch, add atmosphere. Admission is free.
Green Tourism Award: Our score has increased
Last time we told you that we were preparing our Green Tourism submission for reassessment. We are pleased to say that we increased our overall score from 81% to 88%. We’d like to share the feedback:
Wray Valley have done well in retaining their Gold Green Tourism Award. They have kept up their sustainability standards and, in some areas, increased their scoring….. their genuine pleasure in running and promoting a sustainable accommodation business in the area where they operate is evident throughout the assessment. All the assessors on the gold committee were impressed by their commitment and enthusiasm for taking on new projects and learning new skills that increase the businesses sustainability, truly commendable.”
Staying Tick-Safe on Dartmoor
Be Tick Aware
Ticks are widespread across the UK. So while exploring the beauty of Dartmoor and other areas, it’s essential to be aware of ticks and the potential risks they pose. Being close to nature, especially around wildlife like deer and sheep, can increase your chances of encountering ticks. These tiny creatures can carry harmful diseases like Lyme disease, so taking precautions is crucial. Here’s how you can protect yourself:
- Cover up: Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to minimise exposed skin.
- Use repellents: Apply tick repellents containing DEET or permethrin to your skin and clothes.
- Stay on trails: Avoid walking through tall grass and brush where ticks often live.
- Inspect yourself: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body, clothing, and pets for ticks.
- Remove ticks properly: If you find a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover to grasp it close to the skin and pull gently. We have tick removers and tweezers in reception.
By following these tips, you can enjoy your outdoor adventures in Dartmoor and beyond while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from ticks, even when interacting with the diverse wildlife that makes our region so special.
Take part in the Tick Surveillance Scheme (TSS)
Set up in 2005, the TSS is the only scheme that records tick distributions on a national scale. It relies upon the public and others to submit ticks to the scheme. If you or a member of your family have been bitten by a tick, or you have removed a tick from an animal (pet or wildlife), you can contribute to the scheme by sending UK Health Security Agency your ticks for identification.
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
- 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.
- Bovey Craft Festival – 6 – 8 June, over 200 makers, workshops over 3 days
- Moretonhampstead Flag Festival – tbc usually last 2 weeks in June
- 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
- 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!
