IN SEASON
T e Shops at Dartington HOW IT ALL STARTED
and Leonard Elmhirst purchased the 14th century Dartington estate. T e grounds had suff ered years of neglect, but the ambitious pioneers poured their resources into what would later be known as the “Dartington Experiment”. T is lengthy restoration process saw the crumbling estate brought back into the limelight and led to the establishment of a host of farming, forestry and educational projects. Dartington soon became a magnet for artists, architects, writers, philosophers and musicians from around the world; creating an exceptional centre of creative activity. T is experiment was formalised in 1932 with the creation of T e Dartington Hall Trust, which to this day supports programs in social justice and the arts.
L
ike many West Country success stories, T e Shops at Dartington has grown from relatively humble beginnings. It all started back in 1925, when Dorothy
As part of restoration eff orts, T e Dartington Trust opened a small shop on the edge of its 1200 acre estate. T e shop was established as a means of selling the local produce that was grown and made onsite, and a handful of dairy products and local craſt s grew over the years into the 15 shops and businesses that stand on the site today. T e development brought a new lease of life into what was previously a hodge podge assortment of agricultural buildings and barns - many of which were glorifi ed sheds not too long ago. Now, each building houses a myriad of local brands, as well as an onsite gin distillery, a craſt centre, food shop and gallery.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Of course, T e Shops at Dartington aren’t just designed for a spot of retail therapy. Visitors who are feeling creative can now book lessons at its onsite pottery workshop (Crazy About
Clay) and learn how to craſt their very own ceramics with expert tutor Mary Cutchee. Mary has been honing her craſt for over 40 years and teaches students of all ages and abilities how to create pottery they’ll be proud to take home and treasure.
Likewise, gin lovers can learn how to craſt their very own personalised gin at the renowned Devon Gin School. Guided by expert staff , the onsite distillery off ers visitors the opportunity to blend and distill their choice of botanicals and leave with their very own unique 35cl labelled bottle of gin...
32 | THE WEST COUNTRY FOODLOVER
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