Barn Cinema

The Barn Cinema is an independent cinema located in a converted 14th-century barn within the medieval courtyard of the Dartington Hall estate near Totnes, Devon, England. It operates as part of Dartington Trust, the charitable organisation that owns and manages the wider 800-acre Dartington estate. The cinema is known for its distinctive historic setting and for a wide-ranging film programme that spans popular cinema for adults and children, independent releases, documentaries, live opera and theatre screenings, and special events such as Q&A sessions and live music. The Barn has been running as an independent cinema for over 50 years. Its history is intertwined with the Dartington Trust's broader cultural mission, which began when Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst purchased the neglected Dartington estate in 1925 and poured their resources into the 'Dartington Experiment'. The Elmhirsts had a forward-thinking attitude towards film, resulting in a film archive dating back almost a century. The Barn's exterior was reconstructed under the supervision of William Weir during the early 1930s, and in the mid-1930s playwright Anton Chekhov's nephew, Michael Chekhov, worked with Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius to convert the Barn into a fully equipped theatre venue. The Barn Theatre began operating as a part-time cinema in the 1970s, initially as part of the British Film Institute regional cinema network. Today the Barn Cinema offers a varied programme that includes its Screenarts series, featuring screenings of performances and exhibitions from world-renowned arts venues such as the National Theatre, Royal Opera House, and National Gallery. The cinema aims to offer something for everyone and remains a key cultural attraction on the Dartington estate, alongside live music, events, gardens, and hospitality offerings. It is supported by Dartington Trust and benefits from the estate's wider facilities, including restaurants, cafés, and shops.

The Barn Cinema is part of the Dartington Hall estate, a 14th-century property near Totnes in Devon, England. The estate was purchased in 1925 by Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst, who restored the buildings and established a range of farming, forestry, and educational projects known as the 'Dartington Experiment'. This was formalised in 1932 with the creation of The Dartington Hall Trust. The Elmhirsts were passionate about film and built a film archive dating back almost a century. The Barn itself, a 14th-century structure, had its exterior reconstructed under the supervision of William Weir during the early 1930s. In the mid-1930s, Michael Chekhov, nephew of playwright Anton Chekhov, worked with Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius to convert the Barn into a fully equipped theatre venue. This space, known as the Barn Theatre, became a hub for performances and later cinema. The Barn Theatre began operating as a part-time cinema in the 1970s, initially as part of the British Film Institute regional cinema network. Over the following decades, it evolved into a full-time independent cinema, known as the Barn Cinema, running for over 50 years. It has consistently offered a diverse programme, including popular cinema, independent releases, documentaries, live opera and theatre screenings, and special events. The cinema also runs the Screenarts programme, featuring screenings from major arts venues such as the National Theatre, Royal Opera House, and National Gallery. Today, the Barn Cinema remains a key cultural facility on the Dartington estate, operated by Dartington Trust. It continues to screen films and events, and is supported by the estate's wider amenities, including restaurants, cafés, and shops. The cinema's unique setting in a medieval courtyard and its commitment to varied programming make it a distinctive venue in the South West of England.

• 1970

  The Barn Theatre begins operating as a part-time cinema, initially as part of the British Film Institute regional cinema network.

• 1935

  Michael Chekhov and Walter Gropius convert the Barn into a fully equipped theatre venue.

• 1932

  The Dartington Hall Trust is created, formalising the Elmhirsts' charitable work.

• 1930

  The Barn's exterior is reconstructed under the supervision of William Weir.

• 1925

  Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst purchase the Dartington estate.

Independent cinema in a historic setting, offering a wide-ranging programme for all audiences.

• Film screenings

• Live opera and theatre broadcasts

• Documentaries

• Special events and Q&A sessions

• Screenarts programme

1. 1Barn Cinema, Dartington | Film Listings & Ticketsdartington.org
2. 2About Dartington Trust & Estate | History & Visiondartington.org
3. 3Careers at Dartington | Current Vacancies & Internshipsdartington.org
4. 4Dartington Heritage | 1,000 Years of Historydartington.org
5. 5Barn Cinemawikidata.org