The Cider Press Centre at Dartington: A Hub for Studio Crafts
A mile out of Totnes, on the Dartington estate at Shinners Bridge, sits the Cider Press Centre. The site has been a destination for crafts, food and small independents since the 1970s, and although the mix of tenants has changed over four decades, the basic idea has not. This is a curated cluster of shops and studios celebrating Devon makers, with enough breadth that a visit can comfortably take half a day.
The Setting
The Cider Press Centre occupies a picturesque corner of the Dartington Hall estate, with the original buildings clustered around a cobbled courtyard. The site sits next to Shinners Bridge, where the original Dartington Pottery was established by Bernard Leach in the early 1930s and later run as a community workshop by his son David Leach from 1975. That pottery moved its production elsewhere in the 2010s, but the ceramic heritage of the site is still visible in the buildings and the wider Dartington estate.
Today the centre is described by its operators as a lifestyle destination, with a curated mix of local arts, crafts, food and drink. It sits ten minutes by car or 25 minutes on foot from Totnes town centre, with a footpath linking the two through the Dartington grounds.
Pottery Painting and Clay Studios
The current Cider Press Centre is home to the largest range of paint-your-own pottery in the region. Two formats are on offer. Kiln-Fired Pottery uses professional glazes, with finished pieces fired and ready for collection or postal delivery after a few days; the results are food-safe and durable. Paint & Go uses cold paints for an immediate take-home result, which suits children and short visits.
Beyond painting, the studio runs Pot Throwing Sessions on the wheel and Clay Sculpting Classes for adults and families. Booking ahead is recommended, particularly during school holidays and at weekends. The studio is a good wet-weather option in Totnes and a reliable rainy-Saturday family plan.
The Shops at the Centre
The retail mix at the Cider Press Centre has shifted over the years, but current operators include Go Deer, The Orchard Carving Studio, the Cider Press Gallery, the Clash taproom, Wildwise Enterprises and Designs Café. Between them they cover wood carving, handmade gifts, art, local beer and food.
The Cider Press Gallery shows work by South West artists and makers across painting, ceramics and craft, with a programme of changing exhibitions and a steady stock of small affordable pieces. The Orchard Carving Studio is one of the few places in Devon where you can watch wood being shaped by hand and pick up bowls, spoons and decorative pieces directly from the maker.
Food and Drink
Designs Café provides the main eating option on site, with an emphasis on local ingredients and a programme of changing dishes. The Clash taproom is a recent addition, pouring beers from the local Clash Brewing operation alongside guest taps. Both are good places to pause between shops.
The Wider Dartington Estate
The Cider Press Centre is only one part of the Dartington estate, and a visit can easily roll into a wider day out. The Dartington Hall gardens are open to visitors year-round and include the famous tiltyard, the Henry Moore sculpture and walks down to the River Dart. The estate also hosts cultural events through the year, with concerts, talks and screenings.
If you have time, walk the riverside path from the centre back into Totnes. The route is about 25 minutes, mostly flat, and brings you out near Totnes town centre via Mill Lane. In summer this is a far nicer way to return than driving.
Practical Notes
The Cider Press Centre is open seven days a week, with most shops trading from 10am to 5pm; the pottery studio has slightly different hours and benefits from advance booking. Free parking is available on site at the Shinners Bridge car park, postcode TQ9 6TQ for satnav. Access is largely step-free across the main courtyard, although individual shops in the older buildings can have small thresholds.
Bus services from Totnes town centre to Dartington run regularly; the Stagecoach 88 or the Tally Ho route both stop nearby. Cyclists will find racks at the car park entrance. If you are visiting in school holiday weeks, booking ahead for the pottery painting studio is essential, particularly on rainy days when demand spikes.
Why It Is Worth the Detour
A short hop from the High Street brings you to a setting where Devon craft is still being made by hand in front of you, where you can spend twenty pounds or two hundred, and where the surrounding gardens give you a reason to stay. The Cider Press Centre is one of the most distinctive shopping destinations in the South Hams.