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.
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.
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
Which gardens are included?
Half-price adult entry at any time
(No online booking – please present membership card at Welcome Centre)
STANDARD: £7
CONCESSIONARY: £5
STANDARD: £2
CONCESSIONARY: £2
STANDARD: FREE
CONCESSIONARY: FREE
STANDARD: £15
CONCESSIONARY: £10
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)
Partner gardens
Which gardens are included?
Half-price adult entry at any time
(No online booking – please present membership card at Welcome Centre)
great for kids
Families can enjoy inspired nature activities including bug hotels, den building and more.
This festive season, can you find all the reindeers hidden around the gardens? This trail is included in your ticket price – make sure you pick up your map from the Welcome Centre.
garden tours
Our Garden tours have now ended for 2024. These run between March and October.
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.
gallery
gallery
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.
Neville Evans
head Gardener | meet neville here >
Willow Silvani
senior Gardener
mo holt
Deputy Lead Gardener
Richard Hunt
Deputy Lead 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.