Be inspired by the Wild Honeybees and Dartmoor National Park
Be inspired by the Wild Honeybees and Dartmoor National Park
Moor Bees at Wray Barton is an artist-run nature based art space located in South-West England, providing short residencies for International Artists, Makers, Writers, Musicians and all other creative practitioners.
Now accepting applications from all practitioners for 2026 self-funded, self directed residencies.
You will benefit from 20 years experience in one of the most beautiful and magical places on Earth, where I will bring the very best to you. The veil between worlds in very thin on Dartmoor National Park, as any local can tell you; meaning that inspiration, answers, visions and healings are easily possible. As a group of artists, we will harness these opportunities in a fun, adventurous, but respectful manner; working together as a community or separate, the choice is yours.
Hankering for a more old fashioned way of living and being? Residents will live and work in the house or gardens of Wray Barton Manor built, in part 800 years ago, and the newer Gothic Victorian built in 1846. The mature gardens host the ruins of the old manor house which are over a thousand years old as well as an ancient rose garden and large sunken walled kitchen garden. There are two hidden tunnels once used by monks which add charm and mystery to the gardens. The 11 acres offer private, shaded space for work and play. There are 4 wild beehives which are a magical blessing for those who come to commune with them.
Accommodation is limited to 8 people with each enjoying a private bedroom, and a mix of private/shared bathrooms.
There is much to see and do within easy walking distance, as Wray Barton is located within the gorgeous Wray Valley with our own isolated woodland, and also a nature/bike trail which runs from Moretonhampstead to Bovey Tracey. We are a 10 minute drive to Dartmoor National Park and we will plan to provide group outings to the most sacred and beauty-full sights within, stopping at lovely ancient pubs for lunch.
The entire garden is enclosed, offering private, shaded space for reading, drawing, painting, playing music, and writing under the mature trees, or for dining with fellow residents round several different outdoor tables; including a circular fire-pit surrounded by tree trunk seats.
The high ceilinged airy rooms with lovely views and the enclosed garden give a feeling of isolation and are ideal places for focused work.
In the lower walled garden, there is large circular lawn, surrounded by a raised bed full of herbs, surrounded by a circle of fruit trees; a circle inside a circle inside a circle. The elements of Earth (stone pillar), Fire (fire-pit), Air (honeybee colony) and Water (stone fountain) are sentries as part of the circles. A very sacred space indeed!
The Rose garden is listed in the Doomsday Book which means it is over a thousand years old. The ruins of the old manor are here, the monks's secret tunnel, along with a fish pond and another wild bee colony, which all provide endless sources of artistic inspiration.
The beautiful Wray Brook trickles through the land and forms a picturesque pond before meandering down the valley. The Wray Cleave (woodland), which rises 400 meters high, is a minutes's walk from the house. Stretch your legs by climbing to it's ridge to watch the sunset behind the Moors; a perfect place to clear your mind.
More can be read about the History of Wray Barton Manor HERE.
I shall be teaching practices (optional) which will bring you into intimate commune with the wild honeybee hives, providing you with an opportunity to discover your own hidden internal landscape full of wisdom inspiration, and ideas.
Dartmoor National Park is one of England's unspoiled treasures, offering many spots of beauty, which have inspired creatives time immemorial. More photos and information can be found HERE.
Two week residencies are for 14 days/ 13 nights.
Four week residencies are for 28 days/27 nights.
All summer residency with Devon Open Studio Exhibition participation taking place Sept 12th - 20th.
84 days and 83 nights.
More information about DOS 2026 HERE.
We host up to a max of eight residents at a time and offer 6 different room options sleeping in the main house and another in a separate private roundhouse.
The Library is gorgeous bedroom stocked with a variety of books, hosting a queen size bed and sweeping south facing views down the valley.
The Red Room is the largest in the house with use of a desk and working fireplace. It has the same stunning view as the library but hosts a king size bed. A nice choice for a creative couple.
These two residents share a bathroom located next to the bedrooms.
The Blue Room faces West and is best for those who like to sleep late without that early morning sun as a greeting. It hosts a queen size bed and has it's own en-suite bathroom and vanity table.
The Wisteria Room is located on the top floor and has spectacular views out the gothic window with plenty of light through the two ceiling windows. It hosts an antique double sleigh bed.
The Rose Room is the Wisteria Room's mirror on the top floor. with the same view and lighting. As the name suggests, it is for lovers of the red rose complete with an antique french double bed.
Lauren's Room is the final bedroom on the top floor with an amazing view of the 'wall of woodland' which stretches out to the East. It hosts another antique French double bed.
These 3 bedrooms share a bathroom and a separate shower room.
The Gazebo is a self-contained garden roundhouse with elevated panaramic green views of the meadow and grazing sheep/cows. A wonderful option for creative couples or two friends who’d like to share. It’s also perfect for individuals who prefer their own private living space. It’s well-suited to all kinds of practitioners – Musicians, Artists, Makers, Writers and more. Adjacent compost loo and also short walk to plumbed toilet and shower room.
Each room will have its own key ensuring your privacy.
A healthy vegetarian lunch and dinner will be provided each day but breakfast is on a self-catering basis and residents are given cupboard, fridge and freezer space, plus shared use of a 2 kitchens. We will be offering art adventures to the Moors which will include a stop at popular ancient pubs for lunch. This is optional.
As space is limited to eight people, we select applicants based on evidence of how big and and open their heart is (!), artistic experience, past work, project idea and compatibility with any other residents staying at the same time.
We accept applications year-round and encourage you to suggest multiple residency date options where possible.
Residencies are self-funded.
2 Weeks
*14 days, 13 nights
1 person £1200
2 people sharing
£2300
4 Weeks
*28 days/27 nights
1 person
£2400
2 people sharing
£4600
Three months with Exhibition participation in the annual Devon Open Studios, Sept 6-20th, which will provide the very best of your visual work to thousands of visitors.
£7200
Payments:
Successful applicants will be sent confirmation of dates and an invoice with information about how to pay. They shall confirm their intention to participate and forward a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the fee within 14 days. The final 50% should be paid before the residency start date.
Grants:
You may be able to fund residency by applying for a grant from your local arts council. Please follow the relevant link below.
UK
Arts Council England: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/funding-finder
Creative Scotland: http://www.creativescotland.com/funding
Arts Council Ireland: http://www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/
Arts Council of Wales: http://www.arts.wales/funding
The Rest of the World
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_council
Crowdfunding:
If you have a specific project in mind and you feel that you will be able to convince friends and family that this project will benefit your practice, you may be able to raise the money for your residency through a crowdfunding campaign.
We suggest that you plan at least six months ahead of your residency start date.
There are plenty of Crowdfunding websites to choose from. These are rated the top three:
2026 DATES:
Two Week Residencies
June 1st-14th
June 26th - July 9th
July 10th - 23rd
July 27th-August 9th
August 11th - 24th
Four Week Residencies
June 26th-July 23rd
July 27th-August 23rd
Full Summer Residency
June 26th - Sept 21st
£7200
If you're interested in one of our residencies, start by applying here and attaching your resume, information sheet, or provide a link to your work. Be sure to let us know which dates are of interest to you.
Wray Barton Manor, Moretonhampstead, Devon TQ13 8SE, UK
Jodi@moorbees.com 07792575184 Learn more about Jodi Feist King at www.artistswayofthebee.com