Choralfest FAQS

What level do I need to be to participate in a course?

The ability to read music is required, but sight-reading is not essential.

What age is the course for?

All participants must be over 18.

What is the daily itinerary?

Course schedule >

Please note that the schedule and tutors are subject to change.

What do I need to do to prepare for the course?

Scores will be provided as part of the course, as well as links to learning materials to allow singers to prepare as much as they need to.

What is included in a fully residential package?

All residential packages include:

• Course tuition, including all concerts 
• Accommodation on the Dartington Estate. Please specify your preferred accommodation types with your booking
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at The White Hart, as well as mid-morning tea and coffee each day. Please refer to the course schedule to see which meals are included each day.

When and where will meals be served?

Residential participants will dine in The White Hart or The White Hart Marquee. Meal times are as follows:

• Breakfast, 7.30-9am
• Mid-morning tea and coffee, 11-11:30am
• Lunch, 12:30-2:30pm
• Dinner, 6:30-8:30pm

What room types are available to book? How much do the packages cost?

We have a selection of accommodation options available at various price points to suit different budgets.

When can I check-in?

Check in for all participants is from 3pm on Saturday 3 August. The first rehearsal begins at 4.30pm.

Where do I check-in?

All participants check-in at The Welcome Centre under the archway in the East Wing of the Medieval Courtyard.

Can I check-in early?

It is not possible to check-in before 3pm, however you are very welcome to arrive on the estate beforehand and use the time to explore, eat or shop.

When do I need to check-out?

Check-out for all residential guests is strictly by 11am on Sunday 11 August.

Do I need to bring bedding and towels?

Bedding and towels are provided in all bedrooms.

What is provided in my room?

The contents of bedrooms varies depending on your chosen accommodation – further details can be found on individual accommodation pages.

Can I book catering without accommodation?

Full catering is only available to those who book a residiential package, however, we do offer a Lunch Pass to non-residential participants (includes morning tea and coffee) for £98.

There are also plenty of other food and drink options available on the Estate. Find out more >

Can I book to share a room with someone I’m joining with?

Yes, if you are joining the course with another participant, you are more than welcome to share one of our double/twin rooms. Please make this clear in your booking form so a member of the team can get back to you with the reduced cost of your preferred accommodation choices.

Please note that all joining participants must fill out a form separately.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets are not permitted in any of the Dartington accommodation areas or in teaching spaces, with the exception of support animals.

Can you cater to my dietary requirements?

We can cater to most specialist dietary requirements. Please include as much information as possible with your booking.

Do you have accessible bedrooms?

We do have a selection of accessible rooms with wet room facilities. Please include information about any access requirements with your booking.

Who should I contact about lost property?

If you lose an item whilst still on site please visit the Welcome Centre. If you suspect after arriving home from the festival that you may have left something behind please contact the main Dartington Hall guest services on 01803 847150.

How do I make my payment?

Once you have filled out your booking form, a member of the team will contact you to discuss your booking.

Our accounts team will invoice you for a £150 deposit, payable by BACS, in order to secure your place on the course. If you choose to pay in full, you will be invoiced for the full amount.

Once your deposit is received, you will be issued an invoice to pay your remaining balance, payable by BACS. The remaining balance must be paid before Friday 7 June 2024. Any bookings after this date must be paid in full.

Can I use my Dartington Membership discount?

10% Members discount applies to the course fee only. Accommodation and catering are being offered at a discounted rate for participants and Members discount will not apply. Please see ‘Accommodation and Catering’ above for the full list of residential package prices, including Membership rates.

I am planning to join with someone else and want to share a room with them. Is it cheaper?

The cost of the residential package is reduced when you share with another participant. Please make it clear within your booking form and a member of the team will get back to you with the reduced cost of your preferred accommodation choices.

Please note that all joining participants must fill out a form separately.

I can no longer attend, what should I do? Can I have a refund?

All bookings are non-refundable after 7 June 2024. Please note that the £150 deposit is not refundable. We advise all participants to take out holiday insurance which includes cancellation cover equal to or greater than the full cost of their booking.

If you wish to cancel, please email summerschool@dartington.org

What is the best way to get to Dartington?

Most participants travel to Dartington by car or train. Dartington is located near the town of Totnes, which is located just off the A38.

How does parking work at Dartington?

All participants, residential and non-residential, are entitled to free parking for the duration of the course.

Car parking at Dartington is controlled by ANPR cameras, so participants will be asked to provide their vehicle registration number in advance to allow them to park for free in the specified car parks for the length of the course. A map of the various car parks will be sent out with the welcome pack.

Which is the closest railway station to Dartington?

The closest railway station to Dartington is Totnes. The station is just ten minutes’ drive from the Dartington Estate and can be easily accessed by road or foot.

Which is the closest airport to Dartington?

The closest airports to Dartington are Exeter and then Bristol, though these are smaller airports and only served by a small number of routes and operators. Most international participants will generally elect to fly into one of the main London airports and complete their journey by train.