Latest news & blogs
Dartington estate revealed as home for 19 ‘at risk’ fungi
The recent UK Fungus Day prompted our Gardens, Conservation and Land Manager, Rafa, to embark on a quest to find the striking and not-so-common Earthstars (Geastrum fornicatum). Here’s how he got on…
Could our new undergraduate degree help shape farming’s future?
Our Schumacher College has launched Britain’s first degree in Regenerative Food and Farming – with the aim of enabling people who want to make a lasting difference to agriculture, from the grassroots up.
Climate Marathon joined by leading ambassadors from around the world
The Dartington Trust has partnered with leading athletes from around the world for Climate Marathon, the 26 mile per week challenge this October.
Special schools move into Dartington’s Hex and Gym building
The Dartington Trust has stepped in to support a federation of special schools to provide a group of young students with a temporary school for the next year.
Could you take over our kitchen for a night?
We’re launching Kitchen Takeovers – a series of mid-week, rotating pop-ups where we’ll offer up our kitchen and restaurant for local chefs to exercise their talent – and we need you!
Help save a mighty mini-beast from extinction
Budding bug-hunters around Dartington and Totnes are needed to help track one of the rarest ants in England by taking part in the Nest Quest Survey.
Interview with Barn the Spoon
Barn the Spoon “London’s most famous and charismatic spoon whittler” will be coming down to teach a short course in spoon carving this September, and Dartington Trust’s Will Kemp caught up with him to find out more about the man behind the legend.
Pioneering choreographer Adam Benjamin comes to Dartington
The multi award-winning dancer and choreographer is to lead a new four-day course at Dartington – with a focus on how we physically relate to others in our daily lives.
The Borders We Travel
Pavel Cenkl, Director of Learning at Dartington Trust and Head of Schumacher College, writes on recent global events from his perspective as an avid-long distance runner.
Major milestone reached as Dartington achieves Office For Students approval
We’re delighted to announce that we’ve meet the Office For Students requirements for course quality, academic standards, student support, student protection and more.
Mary Fulkerson at Dartington
Everyone at Dartington has been saddened at the news of the death of dancer, teacher and choreographer, Mary Fulkerson, a major influence in the development of New Dance, and leading figure in dance at Dartington College of Arts from 1973 to 1985.
Barn Cinema receives emergency funding through BFI Audience Network
We are delighted to report that our Barn Cinema is receiving emergency funding to help us survive the ongoing venue shutdown due to COVID-19, thanks to National Lottery funding through the BFI Audience Network.
Why boosting biodiversity is key in an era of change
5 June is World Environment Day, and this year’s theme is ‘biodiversity’. Land manager Rafael Pompa explains why biodiversity is so important – and what we’re doing to support it on the estate.
New trustees announced
The Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of three new trustees to further strengthen their board and help shape Dartington’s work over the coming years.
Meet our Head Gardener and horticulture specialist Colum Pawson
Colum manages the growing areas around Schumacher College and teaching our horticulture students. We caught up with him to find out what makes him tick!
Mary Bartlett: My Travels with Unicorns
A short documentary about our bookbinding tutor, Mary Bartlett.
Land sale secures future of Dartington Hall estate
We are delighted to be able to announce that the future of Dartington Hall Trust has been secured today with the sale of Broom Park and Sawmills West.
Dartington Music Summer School & Festival 2020 cancelled
It is with great sadness that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Summer School & Festival 2020 due to the uncertainly caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Come and help us record history
Soundart Radio, a community arts partner of the Dartington Trust, is inviting people to get in touch with them to record history in the making.
‘On the edge’ – a gardener’s diary
Mary Bartlett writes on tending her walled garden, and the history behind many of the plants used.
Some jobs just can’t be hurried
Not many of us take nearly a decade to finish a job – but our conservation warden is positively proud of the fact.
Merce Cunningham at Dartington | From the archive
Will Kemp explores Dartington’s fascinating connection with one of the most influential American choreographers of the 20th century.
Programmer’s Pick: Parasite worms way into public’s affections
Did you know Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is being beaten only by The King’s Speech for post-win ticket sales? The Barn Cinema’s Ali Donkin writes on how one film could shake up an entire industry.
Work begins on repairs to Old Postern roof
Work to repair the Old Postern, a Grade II* listed 15 Century building and home of Schumacher College, has now begun.
Programmer’s Pick: Jojo Rabbit
The Barn Cinema's Ali Donkin reflects on her Programmer's Pick for January, Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit. You can watch Jojo Rabbit at the Barn Cinema from Friday 10 to Thursday 16 January. Book tickets here.Springing out of a half remembered recommendation from his...
Barn Cinema’s top 5 films of 2019
Ali Donkin, programmer at the Barn Cinema, runs through her top five films of the year…
Summer School is Devon Tourism Awards finalist
Dartington Music Summer School & Festival has been nominated for the Devon Tourism Awards 2019/20 in the category of International Visitor Experience of the Year.
Celebrating the launch of the first AWE programme
This week we are celebrating the launch of the first Accelerating Women’s Enterprise (AWE) Making a Difference programme in Plymouth.
Women supporting women
In what ways can we help each other to succeed, as women? The key is to motivate ourselves to make those new connections with other women we admire, says Daisy Healy of Dartington’s Accelerating Women’s Enterprise (AWE) programme.
Old Postern added to English Heritage’s At Risk Register
Schumacher College’s medieval parsonage, once home to the half-brother of Richard II and also to the celebrated botanist William Keble Martin, is among the latest buildings to be added to annual Heritage at Risk Register.