Welcome

To our Grade II* Listed Gardens
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Visiting the gardens

Experience a sense of tranquillity at our impressive Grade II* listed gardens, which have been shaped and inspired by the remarkable custodians of this special place for over 1,000 years. On your visit to the 26 acres of tended grounds, you’ll find a range of stunning features with beautiful vistas and creative sculptures, including ancient trees and impressive plant species.

Our gardens team have been working hard to bring some of the hidden secrets of the gardens to life. On arrival, you’ll pick up a beautifully design gardens guide (included in the ticket price), and there’s also an activity trail for children to engage in with hidden paths to explore. Stay awhile and enjoy delicious food from The White Hart Restaurant or The Green Table café.

Read on for more about what to expect on your trip. Finally, we want to say THANK YOU. By visiting, you are providing crucial support for the upkeep of our gardens, and helping our small but dedicated team improve and preserve this remarkable place for generations to come.

proud to be…

Opening hours

Year-round from 9am-5pm daily. (Gardens will close at 3pm from 8 March – 13 April 2024 for Wonderglow event days only.)

group bookings

If there are 10 or more adults in your booking, all visitors qualify for the concessionary rate (please choose the concessionary adult ticket type when booking). For coach parking queries, please contact carparking@dartington.org.

school bookings

Standard child entry rate applies, with all accompanying adults entering for free on the day (teachers / staff / bus driver / parent volunteers / carers). Book ahead online or on the day.

To arrange a knowledgeable tour guide or head gardener ‘meet and greet’ for the group please email info@dartington.org .

Dogs policy

Dogs are not permitted in the Gardens, with the exception of assistance dogs.

ticket type

standard

concessionary/partner

Who qualifies?

FREE
FREE
Adult
£7
£5
Child
£2
£2
Under 5
FREE
FREE
Family (2 adults plus up to 6 children)
£15
£10
Gardens tours (optional – see details below)
FREE with your entry ticket
FREE with your entry ticket

RHS Members

FREE adult entry

(Please book online and present membership card at Welcome Centre on arrival)

English Heritage Members

2 for 1 adult entry at any time

(No online booking for EH members – please present membership card at Welcome Centre)

Half-price adult entry at any time

(No online booking – please present membership card at Welcome Centre)

Free entry is also available to carers, those on income support, and a variety of other groups – click here to show details

FREE entry

.

Adult

STANDARD: £7

CONCESSIONARY: £5

Child

STANDARD: £2

CONCESSIONARY: £2

Under 5

STANDARD: FREE

CONCESSIONARY: FREE

Family (2 adults plus up to 6 children)

STANDARD: £15

CONCESSIONARY: £10

Gardens tours (optional – see details below)

STANDARD: FREE with your entry ticket

CONCESSIONARY: FREE with your entry ticket

RHS Members

FREE adult entry

(Please book online and present membership card at Welcome Centre on arrival)

English Heritage Members

2 for 1 adult entry at any time

(No online booking for EH members – please present membership card at Welcome Centre)

Half-price adult entry at any time

(No online booking – please present membership card at Welcome Centre)

Free entry is also available to carers, those on income support, and a variety of other groups – click here to show details

great for kids

Families can enjoy our children’s nature trail within the gardens, with inspired nature activities including bug hotels, den building and more.

Our gorgeous new trail map included in your ticket price – make sure you pick one up on arrival!

garden tours

Join one of our highly popular, volunteer-led Garden Tours (duration: 90 minutes) to learn more about the heritage, beauty and historical features of the Gardens.

Tours take place every Friday at 11am, with the first tour of the year on Friday 1 March. They are FREE with your Gardens ticket – just add them to your basket during the checkout process when prompted.

We are hugely grateful to our wonderful volunteers for offering these tours.

group tours

If you are a large group we can arrange special volunteer-led tours around the gardens or a short ‘meet and greet’ from the head gardener. Please contact us to arrange this via info@dartington.org.

About our gardens

The gardens once had a formal Victorian design, but in 1925 the Elmhirsts, together with their designers, began developing the gardens to have a sense of natural wilderness, including mossy paths, fern-covered stone walls, and banks of spring flowers.

They brought over acclaimed garden designer Beatrix Farrand from the United States in the 1930s, with the gardens the only example of her work outside America. She was followed by Percy Cane, who worked on the gardens until the 1960s. The Elmhirsts also commissioned sculptures, such as Henry Moore’s Memorial Figure, and opened up vistas, creating a timeless quality of tranquillity and peace.

The gardens are both rich in history and home to some of the most impressive champion trees in the region. They boast ancient trees including the oldest living resident of the gardens, a 1500 year old yew tree, and a line of sweet chestnuts believed to be over 400 years old.

Since the 1930s, the Dartington Trust has looked after the gardens. They are carefully tended to by a team of gardeners, assisted by volunteers.

Today, we are also a partner garden for Silent Space. In the context of a world that never switches off, we invite you to take some time during your visit to sit or walk in silence, if you wish. Find out more about what this means >
Neville Evans

Neville Evans
head Gardener | meet neville here >

Michael Record
Lead Gardener

mo holt
Gardener

Richard Hunt
Gardener

getting here/getting around

Your entry fee includes a gardens map. As well as all the information you’ll need to find your way around, our map also acts as a guidebook, with fascinating facts about the various treasures you’ll encounter on your visit.

For information on getting to our beautiful estate (whether by foot, car, or pubic transport), click here.

accessibility

Our gardens are fully accessible, with a wheelchair-friendly entrance and a step-free route that can be followed. Guide dogs are permitted.

We also offer the hire of a Tramper, in partnership with the Countryside Mobility Scheme – find out more here.

dartington membership

Gardens entry is free all year round to Dartington Members – and that’s just one of a wide range of benefits on offer. Find out more here.

What’s more, if you book tickets to the Gardens and buy Membership on arrival, we’ll refund the cost of your tickets.

still have questions? try our FAQs >

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