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About Totnes: A town like no other
a long memory and a big heart.
Totnes is a small Devon town with a long memory and a big heart. People have grown up here, raised families here, and shaped the town across generations. It’s a place of deep roots — and deep pride.
At the same time, Totnes has become known far and wide for its independent spirit, creative energy, and alternative outlook. Artists, musicians, campaigners, and entrepreneurs have been drawn here over the years, adding new ideas and perspectives. That meeting of old and new hasn’t always been seamless — but it’s part of what makes Totnes alive: a place constantly in conversation with itself, holding both heritage and imagination.
We are sure you’ll feel the warmth of a town that’s full of stories — and ready for yours.
Performer Perks
To make you feel as welcome as possible, we’ve arranged a few treats:
Grants you free access (subject to availability) to other Fringe shows — because we want you to be inspired by your fellow artists as much as they’ll be inspired by you. So come to the box office when you arrive and we will give you a wrist band.
Local Discounts
Use your pass at selected Totnes bars
- 20% off drinks at the Bull Inn
- 10% off drinks at the Barrel House
Fringe Festival Hub & Box Office
Located in the centre of town—on the ground floor of the Barrel House, the Hub is your go-to place for info, rest, and connection. It’s where audiences buy tickets and ask questions — and where you can always find a friendly face.
Your Venue Host
Each venue has its own dedicated host — one of the core festival team who’s been liaising with you and is there to help with the practicalities of your performance. From access to tech to helping you find a ladder or a last-minute prop, they’re your first port of call.
DINO-SAW COLLECTING THEIR WRISTBAND
Dartington Hall: A Radical Legacy
A radical legacy
Just beyond Totnes lies Dartington Hall — not just a beautiful estate, but a place of cultural revolution. Founded in the 1930s as a centre for progressive education, social change, and the arts, Dartington became a beacon for experimental thinking and performance.
From 1961 to 2010, it was home to Dartington College of Arts, internationally recognised for its radical, interdisciplinary approach to training performers, musicians, choreographers, and makers. Students were encouraged to blur genres, challenge convention, and create work that was rooted in place, politics, and community.
Dartington’s influence reaches far beyond the South Devon hills. In its heyday, it welcomed some of the most important figures in modern performance and movement, including:
- Michel Chekhov, actor and teacher, who founded his Theatre Studio here in the 1930s. His approach to imagination and inner gesture revolutionised actor training.
- Rudolf Laban, pioneer of modern dance and movement analysis, who lived and worked on the Dartington estate after fleeing Nazi Germany.
- Mary Fulkerson, influential choreographer and teacher of Release Technique, who taught at Dartington in the 1970s and 80s.
- Seán O’Casey, the great Irish playwright, who lived at Dartington Lodge from 1938 to 1954, writing and reflecting in the heart of the Devon countryside.
Though Dartington College was controversially closed and absorbed into Falmouth University in 2010, its legacy continues — in the community, in its archives, and in festivals like this one. The Totnes Fringe carries that torch: a belief in the power of experimental work, local roots, and fearless creativity.
Local Walks to Clear Your Head (or Fill With Ideas)
EXPLORE TOTNES AND BEYOND
The River Dart Walk: A peaceful, flat stroll along the river to Dartington (around 30 mins each way). Watch kingfishers dart and herons stalk as you go.
Dartington Hall Estate: This historic estate is also a walk away. Wander through ancient woodlands, past hidden sculptures, and into the Great Hall courtyard.
Sharpham Loop: For something longer (2–3 hours), head downriver through vineyards and fields with glorious views across the Dart Valley.
Bridgetown Nature Trail: Cross the bridge for a tucked-away circular trail through quiet lanes, meadows, and wildflower patches.
VISIT TOTNES INFORMATION
Come for a festival stay for a while. You can read lots more about TOTNES and the surrounding area at the website of one of our sponsors, Visit Totnes.