Latest news & blogs
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.
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.
Satish Kumar invited to Rome by the Pope to discuss the climate emergency
“It was the first time people from all religions and scientists have gathered together like this” – the Schumacher College founder describes an incredible event in his own words.
“We have the potential to create a revolution in regenerative learning”
In an extract from a recently published book, Head of Schumacher College Pavel Cenkl celebrates the power the learning community to revolutionise education.
Dartington partners with Sharpham Cheese for new academy course
We are delighted to host one of the countries leading cheese writers, Patrick McGuigan, and Sharpham Cheese, for a academy course helping participants become accredited Associates of the Academy of Cheese.
Diary: Notes from the Walled Kitchen Garden
Regular, rolling updates from the brilliant volunteer team at our beautiful Kitchen Garden! Follow the progress of this beautiful organic garden as zero-food miles produce is grown for our café, The Green Table and our pub, The White Hart.
Barn Cinema blog: The Roundhouse Returns!
Bond is back – and he’s not the only one, with our Roundhouse cafe/bar making a welcome return.
Mary’s blog: A lifetime of artistic collaboration
In this blog, Dartington bookbinder Mary Bartlett looks back at a number of artistic collaborations and projects that have shaped her life.
New plaque honours Michael Young’s legacy at Dartington
Last week, Dartington Trust was pleased to unveil a new commemorative plaque dedicated to Michael Young, whose influence has had such a lasting legacy here at Dartington.
Belated: Artwork exploring Dartington’s links with Tagore
Internationally recognized local artist, Mohini Chandra, has created a new work inspired by her walks on the Dartington estate during the Coronavirus lockdowns.
Artists-in-Residence: Arts & Ecology
As part of our arts and ecology programme, five artists were selected for a residency in September, exploring new projects and ideas inspired by the natural, ecologically-rich surroundings, and the history of innovative art-making at Dartington.
Cyfest14: Ferment – a new arts and ecology festival
Examining the theme of fermentation: join us for workshops, live performance, talks and more.