Friendly staff in the welcome centre will show you to your room and give you a map: this place is a vast warren of corridors and rooms of varying size, shape and comfort level, all divided between the West and East Wings. The whole place has a collegiate feel, in a good way – just being here makes you feel you are becoming more cultured. There are guest sitting rooms in both wings, with comfy seating and a huge open hearth in one.
Breakfast is served in the cafe, which is also open for lunch and early dinner, and nearly everything is produced on site: homemade pastries and granola, salad and vegetables from the garden and a creative menu with plenty of vegetarian options. The pub on site serves food every night too. Take a stroll around the gardens with their countless species of trees, summer houses, writers’ retreats, an impressive tiltyard and sculptures.
The courses on offer are a real draw: well-being, crafts, arts and more.
For the arty, cultured, and garden lovers, Dartington is wonderful. Even if you don't enrol on one of the many and varied craft or wellbeing courses, or take in a cutting-edge art event, you feel like you're being enriched by just soaking up the atmosphere.