Latest news & blogs
Clearing 2022: Spaces available on BSc Regenerative Food & Farming
We are open for applications through UCAS Clearing for our BSc Regenerative Food and Farming, starting in September 2022. Call our Clearing hotline on 01803 847220 to apply.
Remembering James Lovelock: architect of the Gaia Theory
The scientist was fearless in the face of controversy and was one of the first to raise concerns about the interconnectedness of all life and the potential ecological damage being done to the planet,
Vaughan Williams: conductor William Vann picks his top five
2022 marks 150 years since the birth of Vaughan Williams. As one of the most influential composers to come out of our little island, we had to mark this anniversary in style. Our Big Choir will be celebrating with a week long course culminating in a performance of...
Wild orchids are barometers of healthy soil beneath our feet
The presence of thousands of these special plant scattered across the meadows of Dartington Estate reveals the secrets of the health of the soil beneath.
Polytunnels boost self-sufficiency and help beat the ‘hungry gap’
New polytunnels save money and food miles by increasing the amount of ‘home grown’ produce for Schumacher College.
Finding a better wheat for the future
Our horticulture team at Schumacher College are taking part in trials through the South West Grain Network to find new strains of wheat that are grown more effectively in our climate. We catch up with Michael Cooper, one of our horticulture interns this year to find out more…
Trees are not the magic bullet to address climate change
In a month when members of the public have been urged to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’, our conservation warden Mike Newby advises that while trees are valuable at capturing carbon, using our land to address climate change needs a more complex approach.
Government’s food strategy maintaining the status quo – but at what cost?
In response to the Government Food Strategy published today, we consider the lack of detail and focus on developing authentically regenerative practices, and the need for a thoughtful, holistic approach with more immediately tangible action points.
Family Events at the Dartington Music Summer School & Festival
Music for little ones and families this summer It’s nearly that time of year again, when music fills the grounds of Dartington for our annual Summer School & Festival. Established over 70 years ago, the historic Summer School has grown an international reputation...
Annual survey aims to gauge health of our bird population
Every week until the end of June, our conservation wardens will be gently checking our bird boxes in order to contribute to a UK-wide analysis of avian activity.
How we foster collaboration with our non-human friends
Our Conservation Warden, Mike, takes a look at how we work to preserve and foster some of the key areas of wildlife and nature on our estate.
Mary’s blog: On time, maps and books
Mary writes on how the passage of time, and our relationship with literature, are both indelibly intertwined.
Introducing Dartington’s new head gardener
Dartington’s new head gardener, Neville Evans, talks about his love of trees and his passion for exotic plants – which has taken him around the world from Bicton to Belize.
Composer Harrison Birtwistle dies
We are very sad to hear of the death of Harrison Birtwistle, who had a long history with our Summer School as both a student and teacher.
Obituary: Terry Underhill
Gardener, plantsman and broadcaster, who has died at the age of 83, was a central figure in the Dartington landscape for the better part of 20 years.
In search of rewilding
Following a recent Engaged Ecology visit to Lower Sharpham Farm, we consider the ecological, social and political complexities of rewilding in practice.
“How we produce our food is our greatest form of agency over our future.”
Musician turned ecological farmer Andy Cato offers advice to our farming students.In a quest for self-sufficiency and changing the way we eat, Andy Cato left behind a successful music career and bought a farm in the south west of France. Having spent the last 10 years...
Ella Frears becomes the first Poet in Residence for Dartington’s Gardens
The acclaimed poet will explore the changing landscape through the seasons, and delve into the rich history of the landscape architects and gardeners who have curated it over the years.
‘Escape, adventure and joy’: An experience beyond film
From a free-climbing doc to a silent movie with live music: we find out what it takes to shape our Barn Cinema’s unique programme.
New scholarship to help diversify access to horticulture training
This exciting opportunity will cover the full cost of not just fees, but also accommodation and food for the entire six-month Practical Residency In Sustainable Horticulture.
New Lane End development proposed
We are showcasing proposals for an innovative residential development, which will deliver 45 beautiful and highly energy-efficient homes including 30% affordable dwellings.
Thriving together at the Oxford Real Farming Conference
Last week the ORFC brought together thousands to discuss ecological approaches to farming and food production, including many of us at Schumacher College.
Planning our growing spaces for 2022
Find out from our Head Gardener, Colum Pawson, how he goes about planning what to grow next season and where.
Join us at Dartington’s Music Summer School & Festival in 2022
We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes putting together a vibrant programme for our 2022 event, and this week marks the launch of our courses which are now open for you to browse and book.
Military Veterans break new ground in Dartington’s walled garden
Veterans Outdoors, a local charity that works to improve the mental health of people who have served in the Armed Forces has just completed a wellbeing project in partnership with the Defence Gardens Scheme and with the support of Dartington Trust.
BFI Funding for The Barn Cinema and Soundart Radio at Dartington
We’re thrilled to share that The Barn Cinema, Dartington’s unique independent cinema housed in a converted 14th century barn, has received funding from the British Film Institute as part of the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Series of prints created exclusively for Dartington by William Luz
William Luz is known for creating colourful, abstract compositions using flowing, gestural lines. We commissioned him to create three exclusive prints for us in response to the gardens and landscape of Dartington. We talk to William about his practice and his series...
Barn Cinema Blog: Dune’s eccentric history
As our series of Dune screenings draws to a close, Barn programmer Ali Donkin examines the unusual history of Dune on the big screen.
Dartington Estate to become an agro-forestry ‘lighthouse’
Dartington Estate is part of a pilot project for the government’s new agri-environmental scheme to encourage farmers to manage their land in a more sustainable way.
Search for poet in residence for our historic gardens
We are looking for a Poet in Residence for our Grade II* Listed Gardens – a position open to any poet in the UK and that’s set to run from January to December 2022.