Each camp we gather for five days of creating and holding rituals, workshops, relaxing, socialising, laughter, games, drumming, evening activity and singing around the camp fire, entertainment, nature walks, and most definitely eating!
We hold true to an ethos of co-operation, mutual support, openness of heart, and generosity of spirit. Our gatherings are small, friendly and diverse events, limited to 25 people.
First Time?
If you have not been to one of our events before you will be most definitely made welcome and be part of our group from the time you arrive. All that we ask is that you have some respect for pagan beliefs and practices, and an acceptance of all genders, sexualities, and romantic preferences.
Rituals
Most of our camps are hold at one of the 8 pagan festivals, in particular Beltane and Samhain. Therefore we will have the opportunity to celebrate these special times of the year together. At camp time and space will be made available to discuss a ritual (and how it will be shaped), if participants like to perform a ritual to celebrate the festival.
Your Contribution
Our camps are very much do-it-yourself events and everyone is asked to contribute to the running of the event by helping with tasks such as cooking, chopping, washing-up, tidying up, recycling, fire-making, and/or participating in workshops or rituals.
Helping keep the camp going is a good way to meet people, exercise your talents, learn new skills and be appreciated. Please don’t expect others to clean up after you. Please do ask for help if you need it.
What to Bring?
Bring stout, dry footwear, water- and wind-proof clothing and hats and gloves for outdoors, as there will be an opportunity to go out on walks. Prepare for four seasons in one day.
As well as your practical clothing don’t forget your drag, slap, clobber, glad rags or anything else to make you (even) more beautiful or desirable. Please do bring things to share. Bring drums, rattles etc. to help us celebrate together. It will be a good idea to bring slippers/house shoes for indoors. Don’t forget to bring any ritual objects to place on the altar.
Cuisine
Food has become an important part of our joining together and its preparation and enjoyment is one of the central activities of the camp. The core cuisine is vegan, although there will also be vegetarian and other options available at our meals.
We usually produce two meals a day (breakfast/brunch and dinner) depending on who volunteers to do the cooking. You will be able to make your own additional drinks and snacks in the kitchen, but you are respectfully asked not to prepare or store meat or meat products in the kitchen.
You are welcome to prepare and eat any and all foods (including meat) within your own tent/fire or personal space. It is likely that there will be an opportunity to go off-site to eat together at least once for an omnivore meal.
Accomodation
We will be hosted by Cuckoo Farm, near Modbury, South Devon. The site itself is on a hillside and includes woodland, open fields, food growing area, horse paddocks. Facilities on site (communal room, “beach” hut, shepherds hut, main fire pit, field kitchen, main camping area) are spread out over a considerable area and access to them involves walking up/down hill either via a wide grass path or via a path through the woods. We have exclusive use of a large comfortable communal lounge in its own building with plenty of sofas, hot drink making facilities, a lovely wood burning stove and a large collection of books. A short walk downhill brings you to the “beach” hut and further down, the shepherds hut, and the main camp area where there is a fire pit under a parachute with seating, a covered field kitchen, gas powered shower and compost loo.
There is very limited indoor accommodation. Set in its own little glade is the “beach” hut, equipped with a small double bed (linen, duvet and towels provided). The hut has an attached outdoor gas powered shower and covered cooking area, a compost loo is close by. There is space in the glade for a tent/bell tent. Close to the outdoor kitchen there is a shepherds hut, with a small double bed. Bed linen, duvet and towels are provided.
The majority of camping is near the camp fire and field kitchen but as we have exclusive use there are opportunities for camping in clearings between trees if a more seclusive camping is required.
Access
This site is not suitable for people with major mobility needs due to the soft ground and sloping pathways. The path through the woods providing access to the main fire pit and outdoor kitchen is narrow and can be very muddy. Alternative access to the main area is via a wide grassed sloping pathway. We are well suited for most dietary needs, and our chefs have experience to cater for all kinds of dietary needs. Our booking form explicitly asks for dietary and other special needs.
If you have concerns about accessibility, we'd love to chat with you, please contact us.
Costs
We use a sliding basic fee for all our camps:
- Standard wage and above: £35 per night
- Low wage and below: £25 per night
The basic fee includes a space for tents plus wood for burners and camp fire, communal meals (breakfast/brunch, dinner) plus treats such as afternoon scones, drinks, participation to all rituals and workshops. A non-refundable deposit of 50% of this basic fee is required to secure your place.
Please decide where on the sliding scale you are, explanations are not required. If the lower end of the scale is impossible for you, you can apply for a funded place on the booking form.
There is very limited ‘indoor’ accommodation (beach hut and gypsy caravan with small double beds) which includes linen, duvet and towels. These are charged at £10 per night (single person) or £15 per night (2 people sharing). This additional cost will only be charged for standard wage and above. Those paying the low wage and below rate are asked to pay what they are able to via the support option on the booking form. This accommodation will be allocated on a 'needs' basis and should be requested in advance, again, on your booking form.
Travel
It is possible to travel to camp by public transport. The nearest rail station is Morchard Road about 4 miles away, a bit too far to walk. There is a good bus service (361) from Exeter Bus Station every two hours which will bring you to Morchard Bishop village about 20 minutes walk away.
We should be able to arrange a lift from either the station or the village, provided you give sufficient notice of your arrival, preferably on your booking form. It will be very helpful to co-ordinate arrival times via public transport in advance to minimise vehicle use and driver stress.
You will receive the exact address and directions in response to your booking.
Any Other Questions?
If you have any questions please contact us.