For over nine decades the land and estate at Dartington have been used for agricultural experimentation, research and the application of new processes, with a rich and sometimes controversial history in land-based research.
Today, the estate comprises of a main tenancy, Old Parsonage Farm, which covers 480 acres and maintains a milking goat herd, small Jersey herd, beef cattle and sheep with sustainable, forward-thinking farming practices.
In addition to this, around 20 other land-based tenancies run a variety of brilliantly eclectic and progressive food and farming initiatives – including a meat CSA, a vegetable CSA, community orchards, allotments, apiaries and much more
Land Use Review
Our vision for how we use our land. Find out how we aim to tackle some of the contemporary challenges facing rural communities and agriculture.
Conservation at Dartington
From dormice to hedgerows and everything in between, conservation work plays a major part in Dartington estate life.
Powered by renewables
A significant proportion of Dartington’s energy is produced via renewables, in the form of our 950kw biomass boiler and 500kh(p) solar-PV array.
Food, farming and conservation blogs
Why healthy grassland means a healthy ecosystem
Grassland is the basis of most of the UK’s food supply chain and the main source of diet for livestock in the UK. Good grassland management is crucial – and our Estate Warden Mike is on hand to explain how it all work on the Dartington Hall estate.
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Getting hands on with some Bracken Bruising
In his latest blog, Mike explains how the team’s new Bracken Bruiser is saving a phenomenal amount of time and effort for everyone – in addition to providing benefits to humans, grazing cattle and wildlife.
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The butterfly effect: measuring the impact of agroforestry on biodiversity
As part of our Broadlears agroforestry project, we’ve been trying to monitor the impact of the trees on the field’s biodiversity – and our amazing team of Conservation volunteers have once again come to the rescue.
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Excellent Elderflower, poor peppers and the ‘triangle of doom’
A look at how our groundbreaking agroforestry field project is getting on, with ups and downs aplenty – and one highly unexpected visitor to Broadlears field.
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25 years on: Bird nesting scheme still going strong at Dartington
Our estate warden pays tribute to Peter Morris, whose nesting box scheme in Dartington Hills continues to play a vital part in understanding Britain’s birds – a quarter of a century after its creation.
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Food and Farming blog: New bird hide design is a winner!
Students from the University of Plymouth have created a design inspired by Dartington’s kingfishers – but we need your feedback to help us decide where the new bird hide should be located.
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Food and Farming blog: New bird hide set to open up restored wetland
In an exciting and unanticipated developement, Queen’s Marsh will now be getting a bird hide – thanks to students from the school of architecture at Plymouth University.
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Agroforestry: Our mistakes don’t have to be your mistakes
As Dartington’s pioneering new agroforestry project reaches a more advanced stage, Harriet takes a moment to outline some key lessons learned, in order to help those who are interested in ‘growing their own’.
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Food and Farming blog: Our ducks are in a row – now they’re getting a pond
After much planning, it’s time for action! Work to create the fundamental structure for reinstating the entire 7 hectares of Queen’s Marsh field as a wetland has now been confirmed – read on to find out more.
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