Latest news & blogs
Behind the scenes at the new Elmhirst Heritage Centre development
To mark Dartington’s centenary year, the Dartington Hall Trust has ambitious plans to open a new Heritage Centre to display its core collection and a revolving programme of temporary exhibitions. Members and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the...
Forest garden update
We have had constructive and productive discussions with Martin Crawford over the past week. That was the feedback from him too. Eviction was not on the agenda and is not the intention. Our objective is simple: to work with Martin to agree a physical solution for...
Celebrating 100 Years of the Elmhirst Family’s Legacy with a New Centenary Arboretum
In 1925, Leonard Elmhirst, an economist with agricultural interests, and his wife Dorothy (née Whitney), an American heiress, embarked on a transformative journey when they purchased Dartington Hall. Their vision? To restore the estate as a centre for rural...
Unveiling The Space: Dartington Estate’s Newest Fitness Destination by LED Leisure
Dartington Hall Estate, Devon & LED Community Leisure, a trusted provider with over 10 leisure centres across Devon and Somerset, is excited to announce the grand opening of LED’s newest facility, The Space Health & Fitness, located at Studios 6 and 9 in Lower...
Sacha Jeffay Brings Authentic Montreal-Style Bagels to Dartington Estate: A Business Success Story
Montreal-born entrepreneur Sacha Jeffay, founder of Montreal Style Bagels, shares her journey from Canada to the Dartington Estate, her passion for bagels, and what it’s been like running a business in this unique environment for the past two years. "Bagels are more...
North Woods management plan underway
The Dartington Estate has begun work on a significant woodland management project as part of a long-term plan to revitalise North Woods. Originally planted in the 1940s for commercial forestry, much of the woodland consists of coniferous trees intended for future...
Dartington’s Schumacher College closes academic courses
Schumacher College, which has been supported by Dartington Hall Trust (DHT) since 1991, has discontinued its degree awarding courses with immediate effect. The Schumacher College Foundation, wholly owned by DHT, decided at a board meeting on 27 August 2024 to close...
Steve Paxton Obituary 2024
The world of dance, contemporary art and contact improvisation mourns as it bids farewell to Steve Paxton, a visionary and trailblazing artist, writer and dancer.
Open Letter from Lord Triesman (Chair) and Robert Fedder (acting CEO) of Dartington Trust Estate
Six months have passed since our last 'Open Letter' update and we are pleased to report good progress in the mission of the Trust and its appointed turnaround team. Our earlier financial troubles are well documented and there is little to be gained from raking over...
The Dartington Bookbindery
Mary runs regular weekly courses on all aspects of bookbinding which start in the autumn, spring and summer terms. The next course starts 24 Spetember 2024. Classes are 2 hourly per week, for 10 weeks, and Mary teaches 5 different time slots to suit participants. For...
Message from Dartington Estate’s interim CEO
Recent weeks have seen a great deal of misinformation about Dartington. The recently appointed turnaround team, led by me, is squarely focused on two things: firstly, urgently improving the estate’s financial position; secondly, ensuring a sustainable recovery so...
A path for everyone – audio-guide puts the finishing touch to the Access for All Path
Let one of Devon’s traditional storytellers accompany you on an easy two mile walk through beautiful and varied landscape.
Programmes resume at Schumacher College
Dartington Trust confirms masters degree courses at Schumacher College, that were temporarily paused, have now resumed following talks with partners and stakeholders.
Red, white…and orange? A guide to Georgian wine
With our first ever Georgian Wine Festival just around the corner, Master of Wine Sarah Abbott explains why Georgian tipples are viticulture’s great secret.
Woven into the fabric of the land
Groundsmen Matt and Mark are just two of the hidden heroes whose daily role is to care for the natural fabric of the Dartington Estate.
The tiny triungulin, one of nature’s smallest hitchhikers
Conservation warden Vicky Churchill reminds us that by keeping to footpaths we reduce damage to vital ecosystems for our non human friends.
Squeeze the day
When life gives you lemons, you’ve got a lot of options.
The challenges of the creative process and bringing ideas to life
Theatre maker Jane George reflects on the benefits of a residency at Dartington after spending a week working on a new piece with her company Strange Futures.
Stories in Time
Dr Sarah Elisa Kelly, tutor on our short course Unravelling Time, writes on eco-perspectives and how the socities we live in can shape our own relationship with time.
Discovering the art and the importance of seaweed
The Cider Press Centre at Dartington has welcomed a new business which combines art with education to highlight the importance of our marine ecosystems.
Prize launched for writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds
The winner of a new writing competition for people from migrant backgrounds will get up to £15,000 in prize money, along with a residency here at Dartington and a chance to see their work published.
Exploring nature through human, non human and the mechanical
Award-winning creative artist Tom Bailey explains talks about the fruitfulness of his Dartington residency which has taken inspiration from the wild Devon landscape.
Bin there, done that
Are compostables just a load of rubbish?
Theatre posing some chilling questions about the mechanics of power
A new theatre show questions whether we are allowing ourselves to become distracted by the ‘dead cats’ rather than focussing on who is pulling the strings of power.
In memory of composer Vladislav Shoot
We remember the life and work of Ukrainian born avant-garde composer, Vladislav Shoot, who lived on the Dartington estate for many years before his death in 2022.
Henri’s Field at Schumacher College
Find out more about our 5 acre growing space, a working market garden and educational testing site for new horticultural and agroecological practices.
You’ve got to be kidding!
What’s new in the food world? See if you can tell, or if you are an April Fool!
Weaving together the synergy of running and writing
“There’s something about the rhythm of running….that lets your thoughts bubble and jumble away … suddenly things can make sense after a run.” says writer and runner Adharanand Finn who is running a three-day retreat at Dartington.
Of wine and primroses
How can it be possible that some innocent cakes could pose a threat to biodiversity? In her latest blog, Tara explains all…
Acknowledging the achievements of actor and activist Paul Robeson
When Paul Robeson came to Dartington in 1930 to rehearse Shakespeare’s Othello (below), he delighted the Devon crowds. Today, a new event commemorates his time here.