International Forest Garden / Food Forest Symposium
From 31 May-4 June 2021
now Open Access
We are a carbon-negative organisation – we store more carbon on our land sites than we produce
Accommodation
Dartington Hall is in a rural area, but one that is also a popular tourist destination in summer. Booking a place on the symposium is independent of booking any accommodation. However we strongly advise you book accommodation early (or when you book on to the symposium) and don’t leave it until the last minute or you may find you run into difficulty. This is not a city or large town and accommodation choices are limited. The symposium starts with registration between 8.30-9.30am on 1st June 2021, so you will probably need to have traveled the day before or earlier, and will likely need accommodation from 31st May (or earlier). The last symposium event ends at 4.00pm on 3rd June (though there will be tea and chat after).
Accommodation onsite
Dartington Hall has a variety of accommodation available. If you don’t have your own transport then the most convenient option would certainly be to stay onsite in the hotel, student-style accommodation or campsite.
Hotel-style rooms
There is a limited range of hotel-style accommodation (photos below) with shared, private or ensuite bathroom facilities in Dartington’s medieval courtyard, which must be booked direct (or email (guestservices@dartingtonhall.com) or phone 01803 847150.) Given the nature of these medieval buildings, many of these rooms are not wheelchair accessible. The rooms are sold as Bed and Breakfast, with breakfast serviced in the White Hart Restaurant.
On arrival, guests can check in at East Wing Reception (point 22 on the core estate map). If drivers have already informed the ART of their reg. number (by 18 May) then you can park free of charge in the main car park. If you have not – eg. it is a hire car – then when you arrive please proceed past the main car park, taking the second right up to the small parking area designated for check-in/out, where you can register you car for the duration of the conference before parking in the main car park.
Student-style rooms
For this symposium, there is some single-room student-type accommodation with shared bathroom facilities (photos below). These rooms are in blocks (‘Albemarle’, ‘Perry’ and ‘Hening’), somewhat brutalist in appearance from outside, but pleasant, simple and light inside, surrounded by beautiful trees and landscape. Rooms have a wash basin, and there is one shower/bathroom per 6 rooms. Tea and coffee-making facilities in shared kitchenettes, free wifi. The rooms are sold as Bed and Breakfast, with breakfast served in the White Hart Restaurant, at £35 per night. Please book these direct with Dartington Hall by email (guestservices@dartingtonhall.com) or phone 01803 847150.
On arrival, guests can check in at East Wing Reception (point 22 on the core estate map). If drivers have already informed the ART of their reg. number (by 18 May) then you can park free of charge in the main car park. If you have not – eg. it is a hire car – then when you arrive please proceed past the main car park, taking the second right up to the small parking area designated for check-in/out, where you can register you car for the duration of the conference before parking in the main car park.
Camping
There is a campsite on the Estate, 300 metres from the symposium venue. Camp Dartington has hot and cold water and shower / toilet facilities, accessible pitches (some with electricity points). It cannot host caravans or camper vans. Please book camping space direct.
In addition, a local business can offer tent hire – they will erect the tent for you and take it down after you leave. If you would like to do this (deadline 1 May 2021), then please contact them separately: info@devonbelltent.com https://www.devonbelltent.com/
Other accommodation in the area
There is a wide variety of other accommodation in the area.
Inns
The Cott Inn in Dartington is an 800-year-old Inn full of character, bus/walking distance.
B & B etc
There many choices listed at AirBNB, some of which are right on the edge of the Dartington Estate, with others in Dartington village and Totnes, still within walking distance. Search for properties in the TQ9 5 and TQ9 6 areas.
Many accommodation options are also listed on the Totnes visitor information site.
Other camping options
For a lovely rural site a couple of miles away for tents, caravans and camper vans (where you can swim in the adjacent river Dart when you wake up!) have a look at Beara Farm.
Travel insurance
We strongly advise you take out travel insurance to cover any losses for travel or accommodation expenses that you could incur. The ART will not be held liable for such losses in the event of an unexpected cancellation of the symposium.