Dartington glass making history dates back to 1967 when the Dartington Trust recruited its first managing director, Eskil Vilhemson, from a Swedish Glass manufacturer, who in turn recruited a team of Scandinavian glass blowers and brought them to Devon. The factory was officially opened in June 1967 when it employed just 35 people.
Over the following years, glass blowing skills were taught to English craftsmen, working originally to Scandinavian designs and later to the work of British designers including the renowned Frank Thrower. 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.
Today Dartington is the only remaining major UK crystal and glass manufacturer producing quality products for an international market
