How we use our land
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
River Dart Charter Survey: What you said
Almost 500 of you participated in a survey aiming to help shape the future of the River Dart in Dartington. Here, Harriet Bell looks at some of the key findings.
The Hungry Games with Goats: Introducing the contenders to the arena
The latest update on our silvopasture experiment, where trees are planted along with animals. Which tree guard will survive the attentions of our all-consuming goat population?
‘Fifteen’ chef takes over at the White Hart
Our new White Hart restaurant chef has had it with conformity, crap service and egos. Eamon Fullalove, who comes from Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, explains how our mouth-watering new menu challenged ‘the usual convention that all food begins with the chef’s mind’.
Growing Dartington’s historic walled garden
A pilot project began almost one year ago to bring a secret garden on the Dartington estate back to life. With the help of our supporters, we hope to transform it into a successful on-going concern.
Plum plot: A foray into silvopasture
After our Broadlears adventure in silvoarable – and the general take off of agroforestry across the estate – the one area we’ve wanted to focus on next is silvopasture: the art of planting trees in with – and often for the benefit of – animals.
Our gardeners are going nuts about nuts
In the latest in our series of blogs from our gardens team, garden designer Dan Pearson’s vision is realised further through the creation of a new nuttery and wildflower meadow.
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.
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.
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.