A haven for wildlife and people
The Dartmouth Community Orchard occupies a 3.4 acre site opposite the Royal Naval College. It has been owned by Dartmouth Town Council since 1993, but it is an ancient orchard – records go back to the early 1800s. There are 144 trees of at least 60 different varieties. They are of varying ages up to 100 years old, and grow in two paddocks separated by a woodland zone with some fine mature oak, ash and sweet chestnut trees. The paddocks and woodland are flower rich and host to a range of wildlife – insects, birds, amphibians and mammals. It is part of a green corridor encircling the Dart valley.
Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard
Since the start of 2015, the Friends of the Orchard have helped to care for it. They undertake pruning, scrub control, path improvement, and wildlife enhancement projects. They run community events – picnics and apple pressings – and promote it as an ‘outdoor classroom’ for use by local schools as well as a place for quiet recreation.
After a long campaign, in 2021 they were successful in achieving Village Green status for the orchard, thus protecting it into the future as a space for recreational use by townspeople and visitors.

