Beatrix Ferrand Celebration Dinner with award-winning designer Dan Pearson
16-17 May 2023: Join us in recognising a pioneer and visionary of her time Jump to events programme and bookingBeatrix Farrand was considered a very successful American landscape architect in the 1920s and 30s, and her only English garden design was for our founders, Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst at Dartington Hall.
Beatrix’s work here (undertaken from 1933-37) can still be marvelled at today – in features such as the courtyard cobbles, woodland walk, Playhouse borders and native plantings.
Through these events, we hope to celebrate her legacy, whilst ensuring that these remarkable Gardens continue to be celebrated and enjoyed for years to come.
The celebrated garden designer, Dan Pearson, who has created a master plan for Dartington’s gardens, has very generously offered to speak at our Celebration Dinner event (see below). In 2022, Dan was the recipient of the Beatrix Farrand Society Award.
Dan’s master plan for Dartington covers the whole estate, but he particularly loves the listed gardens – and his proposals focus on refreshing the original designs, replacing elderly trees and restoring many of the views. Hence his very kind offer to come to Dartington for two nights with the aim of raising money for the Grade II Listed Gardens.
What are we raising funds for?
All of these areas of the gardens we are fundraising for are focussed around preserving and enhancing the work originally carried out by Beatrix Farrand.
The Playhouse Thatch Roof Restoration
This project will conserve this iconic listed building, set in Beatrix Farrand’s landscaped borders. The Playhouse will be the focal point of the newly planted Nectar Garden.
FUND TARGET: £15,000
HIGHER MEADOW LINK PATH
FUND TARGET: £7,000
The Valley Field Meadow Project
FUND TARGET: £6,000
how can i contribute/donate?
You can attend one of our celebration events (see below), or if you’d prefer to simply donate to one of our campaigns, head over here.
“It was in February 1933 that Beatrix Farrand came to us in response to an urgent request on our part for help in bringing some sense of order out of the chaos of our general garden schemes … we felt that in the process of restoring the old buildings we must, at the same time, plan the grounds and gardens in complete harmony with the fine old hall and courtyard.”
– Dorothy Elmhirst, 1959
‘She allowed Dartington to speak for itself and to dictate to her the general design and planting schemes… (She) was the first to be out in the morning, she was the last to come in at night. Her energy seemed able to surmount any obstacle – even the worst onslaughts of rain and cold… Not for nothing was she known amongst our friends as Queen Elizabeth. Her finely chiselled face and dignified bearing seemed indeed the personification of royalty. Both in her professional capacity and as a friend and companion she was in every way a remarkable woman.’
– Leonard Elmhirst
Programme of events
Beatrix Farrand celebration evening with Dan Pearson
Tuesday 16 May 2023
Canapes at 6.30 for talk at 7pm
Accommodation options are available on a limited time basis
Pricing: £150 per person, or £120 per person when booking a table of eight (discount will apply when you add eight tickets to your basket)
- Canapes and drinks from 6.30pm
- Talk from Dan Pearson at 7pm
- Followed by a celebration dinner with an opportunity to pledge support
Tap to explore accommodation options and other event details
Dress code: Smart casual attire
Accommodation: Our Courtyard Rooms are available to all dinner guests. These rooms are being held for a short period, so we advise booking early if you would like to stay at Dartington.
Book online here using event code BFEVENT23 at the checkout
or by calling Guest Services on 01803 847150 referencing the event code BFEVENT23.
How to get here:
By Rail – Totnes Rail Station is 1.5 miles from the Estate, and is on the main line from London Paddington through to Penzance. Taxis are available from Totnes station.
By Car – Dartington Estate is situated 4 miles from the A38 between the cities Exeter and Plymouth, and is just 1.5 miles from Totnes market town.
On arrival guests should park on the main estate car parks opposite the courtyard. Parking is free after 6pm in the evenings. Charges apply all other times. Guests staying with us can pick up a complementary parking permit when checking-in at the Welcome Centre.
A film: Beatrix Farrand American Landscapes, followed by Cream Tea
2pm, Wednesday 17 May, Barn Cinema, followed by Cream Tea on the Private Lawn at 3.30pm
Pricing: £25 per person
Dan Pearson will be introducing a screening of a documentary film following award-winning public garden designer Lynden B. Miller, as she sets off to explore the remarkable life and career of Beatrix Farrand.
Followed by a sumptuous cream tea prepared by our fabulous White Hart team.
Morning coffee and garden tour in the grounds with Dan Pearson & Head Gardener Neville Evans
10am, Wednesday 17 May, The Playouse, Grade II* Listed Gardens
Pricing: £12 per person
Join us at the Playhouse for morning coffee with Dan and get an insight into the Grade II* Listed Gardens at Dartington whilst walking in the footsteps of Farrand. We’ll be unveiling the new cottage garden area, plus you’ll get the opportunity to meet the minds responsible for safeguarding the future of these glorious gardens for centuries to come.
enquiries
If you have questions about the programme – or anything else – please contact trust@dartington.org.
“If you feel you have a phantom companion with you as you walk between the Camellias, it is I who am there beside you interested in their growth, astonished at their size, and marvelling at their beauty”