Dartington Hall and Gardens - A Short Stay

 I remember in some distant past, years ago dropping into Dartington and just looking at some glass, but being within just a couple of hours drive away, we planed a short stay.  Just after Christmas we booked a three night stay in one of their Courtyard rooms.  On arrival we were told that because there was an event there would be no evening meals served in their Inn called the White Hart, over two of the nights, as there would be 'street food' instead, and on the Friday there would be a limited offering. We worked round that by visiting a couple of local inns for our evening meal: The Cott Inn .  Those were good, but having enjoyed an excellent dinner on the first night, it would have been likely we would have wanted to have all three there.

What was most excellent for me was that we had full access to the gardens during our stay, which allowed for walks arounds during different times of the day.  The first full day when the weather was particularly fine, I had not taken the camera round with and therefore the pictures were taken on less favourable days, and I have yet to get to grips with its functions. I had thought to spend some time doing that on our break, but the countryside was so magical, we spent most of our time outside.

The Grade II* listed gardens, developed in the 20th Century by the owners  takes full advantage of the rolling terrain. There are some wonderful older trees as well as less mature ones.  For now I am posting the best of the pictures, and when inspiration returns I shall add 'words'.

Across the courtyard from our room, this magnificent Rosa Banksiae Lutea lured me across several times, as the roses opened over the few days.  The colour was beautifully set off by the pale grey stone.

For once we were in a garden at peak Azalea time

There were some great trees, and given the landscape and the cleverly situated long views and stone steps, every walk revealed the beauty of the planting and scenery.

The garden has a 'romantic' feel to it, 

Other sculptures were there to be discovered...

This one I used for our WI photography Black and White Challenge:

Or for views across the Tiltyard towards the Hall, how about this reclining beauty by Henry Moore..

We went to the Cinema for the first time in years.  The one on site in very comfortable and in a delightful barn to one side of the entrance to the courtyard, a mere hop and skip from our room.  We watched Downton Abbey: a new Era,  with the trip to France...

I do like a good breakfast, and the breakfasts were amongst the best I have had.  It was self service, the main hall had music, so we found a comfortable nook in an adjoining room. Mostly organic and locally sourced, lovely apple juice, etc....Breakfast was taken at the on site Inn The White Hart. 

The Cider Press just down the road is an excellent place to pick up and make up a picnic, as their deli carries many tats, pies etc.  They also have various outlets and interesting home interiors and kitchen sections. 

We walked both to and from Totnes on the Saturday, where there were too many people.  I ought to have thought: bank holiday weekend and Saturday market, so not surprising.  We were going to get the bus back, but had enjoyed the walk so much, so walked back.  Went up to the top of the Castle Keep from which the views were superb, walked around, found lunch behind the Mansion on the High Street at Pizza Pirates, we shared a pizza supplemented by a mezze sharing board from Edgy Veggie, also backing onto to the outside tables by Pizza Pirates.  What was particular memorable, was that we were looking for a nice sit down lunch, but the restaurants were either full or not what we wanted, and we came across the little courtyard as we were catching a shortcut round the back alleys back to the High Street. We are still talking about this lunch over a week later! And we had an ice-cream from Delphini's Gelato.  It is almost worth a trip to Totnes just for this!  Ouch the card payments just came in, but it was worth the nearly £10 for two double icecreams.  I had Cheery and Pistachio in a big big sugar cone, and he had Chocolate and Caramel.  This brought back memories of our grand tour of Italy, where I ate ice cream from the top of Italy right down to Sorrento over more than two weeks, and still he proposed! A truely Italian Lunch al fresco in the sunshine!

Nice car, nice owner, he came across from a shop and asked about my camera and wanted to see my pictures....yes it was his car, he waved to me as he got in and drove off. What a memorably number plate for an E Type soft top RRX990H, but then I love yellow cars or green ones of course!