For many years I have been visiting Dartington Hall in Devon, twenty five miles from home and have often raved about it to my friends. It’s a stunning place held as a trust began by the Elmhursts, a visionary family since the 1920’s. Part of the estate is farmland and woods as well as a landscaped garden. It’s a major centre for education and performance of arts and until last year was home to Dartington College before its move to Falmouth. Each summer it hosts a literature festival, Ways With Words, when for two weeks the grounds are filled with people relaxing between events. The festival attracts world class writers from all genres and my only criticism is that perhaps it is becoming increasingly high brow. I’ve photographed the grounds in all seasons, there is always something to see.
I think one of my favourite times to visit is February when the scent of witch hazel assails you before you can find it – unless like me you know just where it is.
But of course I’m really fond of snowdrops
Followed by the crocus
While I’m here, this is my dream office, it has the most amazing view of the valley 
and I’m sure I could be incredibly creative here if only they would let me have it instead of filling it with garden tools.
No prizes for guessing the sculptor!
It’s a permanent feature
unlike this one, resident for a few months and that I took lots of photos of.
Dartington has plenty of space for performance rehearsal
and quiet contemplation
The planting is elegant and striking
There’s a restaurant and bar,The White Hart, it’s name may have been inspired by this detail on the ceiling of the hall itself.
Places to climb 
Abundant summer flowers
Sunny benches
Shady walks where who knows what you may find.
But don’t let the gardener catch you doing this!
unless you can think of an excuse very quickly!
Dartington is special, I’ve loved sharing it with you and hope that you get to visit one day.
Shady walks
I loved your blog about Dartington, Gilly! It’s a place i know and love and you should be paid by them for writing it’s best ever commentary! love it!
You’ve really made me want to visit this gorgeous sounding (and looking) place :))
Wendy you would love it and Totnes just down the road. You’ll have to google it, you can even stay there!
A fabulous visit!
Years ago we visited England frequently, but I’ve never heard of Dartington, which from your photos is clearly a treasure.
Immensely enjoyed the vicarious pleasures, thank you so much!
Love your pics on this one Gilly.
It’s a beautiful place all year round and great for roly polys with granddaughters when the grass is dry and the gardener isn’t around!
How wonderful you have a photo of one of Henry Moore’s sculptures. It is a small World.
Reblogged this on Lucid Gypsy and commented:
Just to prove that I roly-poly’d and sharing Dartington to tempt my Cornish friend!
Oh, Gilly! I want to come and play roly polys with you 🙂 Love the photo of your son and the little one in the tree too. Happy weekend, darlin!
Looks like a really wonderful place to spend quite a few hours, Gilly. Great photos.
Yes I too love Dartington it is a very special and historic garden. I took an American friend there last year and she was totally smitten and is about to publish her blog article about it. Thanks for some great photos and article!
So when are we going there? End of July is good for me – OH up in Shropshire for a couple of days. Though as you work I guess it has to be at the weekend?
Some day I should post photos of Stan Hywet, an estate in my neck of the woods with an abundance of gardens and a rich history of performance arts! What a great idea!
The post has made my heart sing. Magnificent. Spectacular. Splendid. I want to visit. ❤ ❤ ❤ Thank you for sharing, Gilly. 😀
A lovely post about a lovely place – and you’ve caught so many aspects of it. My favourite photo is the one of the purple daisies: seduced by a diagonal again!
🙂 Happy photos with your granddaughter? I came admiring witch hazel close-up which looks amazing when enlarged and I discovered more park scenes with you in it. 🙂