About the Grounds and Gardens

About the Gardens

Dartington Hall gardens lie within a curve of the river Dart at the head of its tidal range. Exploited strategically and economically since prehistoric times this gentle hilltop on the rich soils of the Devonshire South Hams has been a home for countless generations, all of whom have contributed to today’s landscape.

The Garden of Today

In 1925 when Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst first started their great experiment in rural regeneration, they too wished to create a garden at Dartington, a garden that would value the works of previous generations. The garden they created would adorn the landscape rather than compete for attention. It would, above all, be an intimate personal garden which they were keen to share with others. Designers who have made important contributions include Tipping, Farrand and Cane.

Open for Visitors.

Today’s garden is open to the visiting public from dawn to dusk, throughout the year. We ask individual visitors for a voluntary donation of at least £2 per person to help with the considerable costs associated with maintaining a garden such as this.

Groups of 10 or more are asked to make arrangemens by appointment. The cost for a guided tour of the Hall and gardens is £12 per person, unguided tours (where you can bring your own guide) can be arranged at a cost of £5 per person.

A guidelines document and booking form to help you plan your visit is available. Or contact Graham Gammin by telephone on 01803 862367 or by email to gardens@dartington.org for further information.

History

In his famous study “The English garden” published in 1964, Edward Hyam gives pride of place to Dartington Hall.

‘This is the kind of garden’, he writes, ‘with which it is possible that today’s institutions, industrial, administrative, educational, even residential, could well surround themselves. It is in gardens like those at Dartington Hall where the traditions of the great English Gardens will, if at all, find their continuance.’