Since the 1960's Dartington Crystal has been manufacturing in Great Torrington 'Dartington Glass' products. Over the following years since the company was founded using traditional Swedish techniques, glass blowing skills were then taught to English craftsmen who worked to Scandinavian designs and then later to the work of British designers. Many of the original glass blowers remained in Torrington and have been a key strength over the years in developing Dartington Crystal into the leading name in English crystal.

Dartington Crystal is individually made by a team of up to 12 craftsmen led by a master glassblower who has perfected his skills over at least 10 years. The raw materials of crystal (sand, lead oxide and other compounds) are melted in a clay pot within a special furnace at 1400 degrees.

Blowers gather molten glass from the furnace on the end of a blowing pipe. The molten glass (gob) is rolled smooth in a scoop before being blown into which starts to form the required shape. Often the molten glass is placed inside a graphite mould while being blown to help create the final shape.

Many forming processes and techniques will be used by the blowing team depending on the item being made. Once the item has been shaped it is placed in a temperature controlled tunnel called a lehr. Slowly passing through the lehr gradually cools the glass to room temperature until is is ready for finishing and polishing.

Dartington Crystal is just one of many local visitor attractions that we recommend you visiting during your stay at Blagdon Manor.