Visiting the gardens |  |
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 has been working hard to bring some of the hidden secrets of the gardens to life. On arrival, you’ll pick up a beautifully designed gardens guide (included in the ticket price), and there’s also an activity trail for children to engage in with hidden paths to explore.
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. | |
Opening hours
Year-round from 9am-5pm daily. Please note, dogs are not permitted in the Gardens, with the exception of assistance dogs.
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. | |
| Ticket Type | Standard | Concessionary/Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Member (plus one adult) | 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) | |
| Partner gardens | 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.
Please note that if you qualify for free gardens entry via one of the below criteria, you will need to book tickets on arrival (online booking unavailable).
Families / Individuals in receipt of income support, or anyone registered disabled, partially sighted or blind (includes those receiving Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance, low income benefits or disability benefits. Please come to the Welcome Centre to book, and bring proof of entitlement.)
- Carers (with a full paying adult or child)
- Guests staying in our Courtyard Rooms
- Dartington Trust Staff and Volunteers, plus guest
- Dartington Collaborative Network members, plus guest
Student Membership holders, plus guest
Meet our Gardens team
 Neville Evans - Head Gardener |  Willow Silvani Deputy Lead Gardener |  Mo Holt Deputy Lead Gardener |
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 is included in your ticket price – make sure you pick one up on arrival!
Garden tours
Our Garden tours run every Friday at 11am between March and October. Tours are free with your entry gardens ticket - book online or visit our team at the Welcome Centre.
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.
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 layout, 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.
About our silent space
We are a partner garden for Silent Space, and we invite you to take some time during your visit to sit or walk in silence – to engage more deeply with the gardens and with yourself.
As this is a managed environment, you will occasionally be aware of essential maintenance – another element of the gardens’ soundscape. Please respect the quiet time of other visitors.
More info at silentspace.org.uk
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 public transport), click here.
Accessibility
Our gardens are accessible, with a wheelchair-friendly entrance and a step-free route that can be followed. Guide dogs are permitted.
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
