How we use our land
For almost a century the land and estate at Dartington have been used for research and exploration of new agricultural processes.
Today a regenerative approach is at the heart of everything we do. It supports healthy soils, creates rich wildlife habitat and nurtures our community of visitors and small enterprises who have come here because they wish to have a deeper connection with the land.
We have a number of tenants who run enterprises using the land to produce food, fungi or flowers or for therapeutic benefit.
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?
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.
Excellent Elderflower, poor peppers and the ‘triangle of doom’
A look at how our groundbreaking agroforestry field project is getting on, with ups and downs aplenty – and one highly unexpected visitor to Broadlears field.
25 years on: Bird nesting scheme still going strong at Dartington
Our estate warden pays tribute to Peter Morris, whose nesting box scheme in Dartington Hills continues to play a vital part in understanding Britain’s birds – a quarter of a century after its creation.
Food and Farming blog: New bird hide design is a winner!
Students from the University of Plymouth have created a design inspired by Dartington’s kingfishers – but we need your feedback to help us decide where the new bird hide should be located.