FAQ
Can I hire your venue?
We do hire our venue out for day bookings residential events. Events are fully catered and our prices are available on enquiry to support@embercombe.org. We are not a conventional venue and have limited dates available. We try to give preference to groups who do work that resonates with our mission – to help people from all backgrounds connect with nature.
We have a 2 night and 20 person minimum for most bookings. Please be aware this is a rural site with rustic accommodation.
Can I book a yurt for a holiday with you or visit for the day?
The only way of visiting Embercombe at the moment is through our courses, camps, experience weekends and volunteer days. We would love to see you so please book on one of these if you are able via our website https://embercombe.org/whatson/
We also have lots of online courses and FREE talks available here https://embercombe.org/embercombe-online/
I resonate with your mission. Can I volunteer with you?
We take long term residential volunteers for 3 to 6 months in specific roles. If you would like to volunteer with us and have skills to offer, please check out the volunteer page on our website for current positions.
What are your COVID precautions/what do I need to do
On the day of arrival we ask that each person takes a rapid lateral flow test (available from your local pharmacy). Please do not come if you have tested positive or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
We ask you to be responsible for your own safety on our site. We will not require masks, or temperature checks but can provide them on request if you would like them. We will be encouraging, but not enforcing, social distancing – but as a large venue (50 acres), with plenty of outside space and fresh air, plus a very large group room and the option for outside dining, there are options for distancing if you would like to. We will be operating a wrist-band system of safety on our site, so you will be able to show others if you prefer distance.
Our staff are testing regularly and we have stringent hygiene protocols in place. If you have any concerns please contact support@embercombe.org
Can I get a refund if I have to cancel because of COVID?
Embercombe is a small charity so unfortunately, we are not in financial position to offer any refunds to participants of our in-house courses who contract Covid before or during the course.
I am planning to come from abroad. Will I need to quarantine?
If you are planning to travel to the UK from abroad during the Coronavirus pandemic please check the latest information on entering the UK here.
Can I stay the night before or the night after my event has finished?
We ask that you arrive on the day of your event – and in general we try to time our arrivals to make travel easy. We do not offer extra nights stays onsite but there is plenty of local accommodation in the area.
The Premier Inn outside of Exeter St Davis train station offers convenient accommodation for travel by train or you could stay in one of the local Inns, The Nobody Inn or The Teign House Inn
Will you be able to meet my dietary preference?
We ask for your dietary requirements when you are booking all our food is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Food is always plentiful, tasty and filling, and we do our best to cater for those who have special dietary needs we need this information at least one week prior to your arrival. If you could try and limit this information to allergies and intolerance’s, rather than preferences, that would be very helpful to our kitchen staff who do what they can to make sure everyone is looked after.
What amenities do you have on site?
All our yurts have wooden beds and bedding is provided. There are up to three beds in a yurt, any additional children may be allocated a mattress on the floor. The yurts each have a temporary gas heater for warmth while our wood burners are out of action. Each yurt has solar lighting and smoke detectors.
There is a compost toilet and sink with drinkable water in each yurt village and around the site. In the main building of Centre Fire you will find hot showers and flushing toilets.
We encourage people to turn off mobiles when they arrive and in fact there is very little mobile signal at Embercombe but in an emergency the best place to get a signal is at the top of the site near Centre Fire. There is also WiFi in Centre Fire and plugs where you can charge your devices.
I have applied for a bursary place when will I hear if I have been accepted?
Our bursary fund is to assist people who cannot pay the full fee to come on our courses and events. Whilst we do try to open up as many places as we can, we always have many more applications than we have places. If you are able to pay, we recommend that you do book a full-price place as we sell out quickly. If not, we will let you know if your application has been successful, at least 2 weeks before the start of the event. Thank you for your patience.
I have been hit financially by the current situation can you offer a discount?
We try and make our courses as accessible as possible by costing them as low as we are able. We offer as many bursary places on all our courses. We are always looking for funding so we can do more. However at this time we are not in a position to offer additional discounts.
I have a child under two. Can they come for free?
If your child is under two and is breast feeding and can co-sleep in your bed then they can come for free, otherwise please book a separate child place.
I want to visit with my family. Which programmes are suitable for children?
All of our programmes are designed for adults. Catalyst is a programme specifically for young adults from 18 – 29 years. Our Experience Weekends and Family Camps are suitable for you to join with your children.
Can I pay for my place in installments?
First secure your place with using the deposit code then contact support@embercombe.org to set up 3 further installments. All payments must be completed before the start of the programme.
I paid by deposit. How can I complete my payment?
If you have secured your place with a deposit please make sure all payments have been completed up to two weeks before the start of the programme. You will receive an email to notify you of the outstanding balance a minimum of a month before the event.
Can I have a refund for courses I have booked and no longer wish to attend?
Our refund policy is on our Booking Terms and Conditions here https://embercombe.org/booking-terms-conditions/
Arrival directions, how do I find you, how can I get from the train station?
We are situated west of Exeter just 3 miles from the A38. We have detailed instructions on finding Embercombe on our website: https://embercombe.org/contact-directions/
Google Maps: Post code EX6 7QQ
On arrival drive through the gate and down the track to park in the car park on your right. After you park leave the carpark and the first building you will reach is the Dining Yurt where a member of our team will welcome you. Carry on down and you will find our office and reception in the timber-clad building called Centre Fire.
You can find the interactive map of embercombe here or the printed version here.
At this time travel to Embercombe will be your own responsibility. For arrivals by train Apple Taxis have offices outside Exeter St Davids station their number is 01392 666666 a journey costs around £25-30. Please allow 45 minutes for the journey from the station.
I would like to arrange a lift share with others participants, how can I do this?
We encourage lift sharing and taxi sharing. The best way to arrange this is by posting on the Facebook event.
What should I bring?
A full list of what to bring will be sent to you with your arrival instructions once you book your course but please consider packing the following
- Face mask (for traveling)
- Torch (Head torches are really useful)
- Towel
- Alarm clock (should you want to turn your phone off for the week!)
- Lots of warm clothes (suitable for being in the outdoors)
- Waterproofs, including leggings
- Warm hat, gloves, scarf
- Sun cream, sun hat
- Strong and waterproof boots or wellies
- Some loose fitting comfortable clothes that will enable movement
- Swimming costume (for swimming in the lake)
- Ear plugs (in case your neighbor snores)
- Hot water bottle (if you feel the cold)
- Extra Blanket (if it gets cold at night)
- Eco friendly toiletries
- Personal drinking bottle
- Indoor shoes or slippers (unless are happy in just socks)
- A sleeping bag if you can manage it (for sleeping out f you want to)
- Notebook and pen
Can I bring my dog with me?
In consideration of our sheep, wildlife and other guests, we do not allow dogs on programmes unless they are guide dogs.
Can I stay in my own van?
If you prefer to stay in your vehicle you can do so on programmes that offer a camping option. We do not encourage this on programmes like the Journey or the Descent where we are inviting you to step away from your ‘known’ world.