Expert tenants helping Dartington Thrive
If you've visited Dartington over the past year or two, you've probably noticed something quietly but significantly changing.
Across the estate, independent businesses are growing, investing and attracting new visitors, helping make Dartington an even more vibrant place to spend time.
That isn't happening by accident. One of the Trust's priorities has been to work with experienced local operators who bring specialist knowledge, energy and investment to the estate while complementing Dartington's heritage, gardens and cultural offering.
Two excellent examples are The Green Table and The Space gym, both of which continue to go from strength to strength.
When successful local hospitality entrepreneur Mark Annear opened The Green Table, his vision was to create somewhere welcoming, relaxed and inclusive, serving quality food in the heart of the estate. Since then, it has become a favourite meeting place for visitors, residents, members and staff alike.
The Green Table has continued to evolve well beyond its original café concept. By day it offers seasonal breakfasts, lunches, excellent coffee and homemade cakes, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and options to suit a wide range of dietary requirements.
Increasingly, however, it has become an evening destination too, opening on Friday and Saturday nights with pizzas, small plates, a relaxed bar and occasional live music. During the warmer months its terrace has become one of Dartington's most popular places to meet friends, while its welcoming, dog-friendly atmosphere reflects the inclusive spirit that has always been part of the estate.
“It’s been lovely to see so many people enjoying Green Table. What started as a café has just naturally grown into a space where people come together, for breakfast, lunch, evenings, or special events. It’s been great to welcome local businesses too. We’re really looking forward to more of that.” says Mark Annear.
Just a short walk away, another success story has unfolded.
When LED Leisure opened The Space in January 2025, the aim was to provide a modern, affordable health and wellbeing facility for the local community. The response exceeded expectations, with membership targets achieved within the first year.
From the outset, however, LED's ambition extended well beyond creating another gym. The Space combines modern fitness facilities with an extensive programme of instructor-led classes, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to become more active in a unique setting overlooking one of the country's finest historic estates.
Just as importantly, the gym has introduced many first-time visitors to Dartington, many of whom stay to enjoy lunch, shopping, the gardens or other attractions after their workout.
That success has now led to expansion into the neighbouring former Mi-Golf premises.
The additional accommodation will significantly broaden LED's offer. Alongside a dedicated soft play area where parents, carers and young children can enjoy supervised play together, the new space will include a specialist Hybrid Training Studio for people preparing for fitness events such as HYROX and CrossFit, as well as anyone looking for a balanced programme combining strength, cardio and endurance training.
A further studio will host cycling, Les Mills Pump, circuit training and activities run by community partners, while existing studio space will increasingly focus on dance, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and other wellbeing classes. Existing community groups already using the studios will continue to be able to book space through LED.
LED’s Alan Payne says: "At The Space, our guiding principle is to create far more than a gym. We are actively building a welcoming community for people across the Dartington estate, Totnes and the surrounding area. Our members range from teenagers to people in their 90s, and include those who are new to fitness, those seeking specialist support in tandem with local health services, and those simply looking for connection and friendship. We truly embrace a philosophy of ‘people together, connected through health and wellbeing’, supported by the experience, encouragement and dedication of our fantastic team of instructors."
These two businesses also demonstrate something important about Dartington's future.
Rather than trying to operate cafés, gyms and other commercial activities itself, the Trust increasingly works alongside experienced specialists who understand their sectors and are prepared to invest in the historic buildings they occupy.
The Trust can then concentrate its own resources on conserving the estate, caring for its remarkable landscape and heritage, and delivering its charitable mission.
The result is about much more than financial sustainability. Successful independent businesses encourage people to spend longer at Dartington and to visit more often. A morning workout can become lunch at The Green Table. A family trip to the new soft play centre may include time in the gardens or a browse around the Cider Press Centre.
Every thriving business strengthens the appeal of the estate as a whole, creating benefits that extend well beyond the walls of any single building.
As these partnerships continue to flourish, Dartington is becoming an even livelier place to visit, work and spend time. Local entrepreneurs such as Mark Annear, together with organisations like LED Leisure, are helping write the next chapter in the estate's remarkable history. Their success is also Dartington's success, creating a destination that serves the local community while helping secure the long-term future of one of Devon's most distinctive places.
