Dartington Crystal
The company was born in 1967 as one of the Dartington Hall Trust’s social enterprises in North Devon. It quickly became the most recognised manufacturer of simple yet functional glassware in the UK. Dartington's vision was built on a clean and simple design style, handmade using age-old techniques of Scandinavian roots. For over 50 years, many notable design figures have come together to use their passion and skill to grow the brand into what is now the only remaining factory scale producer in the country.
In our Torrington factory, around 1400 pieces of Dartington Crystal are made each day, that is about 350,000 pieces a year. While these beautiful glass products start with an inspired design, their creation from molten material requires the skill and artistry of gifted glass makers. Many of our workforce have amassed considerate experience having trained and worked as glassmakers in some areas for 40 years.
White hot molten 24% lead crystal is gathered on a blowing pipe (known as an iron) before it is mouth-blown, and hand crafted into shape. Only basic tools are used to produce the correct form and dimensions, plus a large element of physical effort, skill, precision and judgement. Once cooled at a controlled rate, the item is then finished and carefully inspected with only the finest quality allowed to carry the official Dartington stamp of quality.
