Dunster

Dunster Castle overlooks the whole area.which includes the Yarn Market in the High Street, the Memorial Hall which houses the Dolls Museum, the Nunnery in Church Street, also St. George's Church with its magnificent rood screen. Behind the Church is the Dovecote.
Dunster offers a wide range of accommodation, from B and Bs to sophisticated hotels, making it the ideal base from which to explore Exmoor and the Somerset and North Devon coast. Bath is two hours' travelling time, Exeter 1.5 hours, Glastonbury and Wells just over an hour.

The village of Dunster is a must for any visitor to West Somerset or Exmoor. When you see the wide main street, once a sheep market, with the towering castle at one end and the yarn market at the other, and a wealth of ancient buildings, narrow alleys and roads, a water mill and a pack-horse bridge, all wrapped in steep wooded hillsides, you will see why!

It is about one mile from the west somerset railway station, a pleasant walk or, if you are lucky, you can get a ride in a vintage bus. Dunster Castle, now in the hands of the National Trust, was the home of the Luttrell family, who were instrumental in building the Minehead Railway from Watchet to Minehead in 1874. It sits atop a conical hill and must have been very hard to attack. There is a great view of the castle from the train - the castle standing guard over the Avill valley with the hills of Brendon reaching skyward all around. A restored water mill can be visited, and nearby is a superb example of an Exmoor packhorse bridge.

In the opposite direction, Dunster Beach lies about half a mile or so from the station - a path from the end of the platform leads to Sea Lane.

Dunster has a Country Fair in July and the Dunster Show in August. There is a Village Festival on the Spring Bank Holiday. There is a Flower Festival in the Church in August and Dunster-by-Candlelight is always the first Friday and Saturday in December when the houses are lit by candlelight, all the shops are open and there is dancing and music in the street.

From the Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre on the Steep, down the High Street, through Church Street into West Street and on to the Packhorse Bridge, you will pass a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants.

Dunster Station is about one mile from the picture postcard village of Dunster, with its castle perched high above the main street. The station was first opened in 1874 when the railway was extended to the town from Watchet. The main building has been superbly restored, and also houses the railway's ticket printing department. Not only tickets for the railway are printed on the old Edmond-son Press but for many other heritage lines. The goods shed, recently restored, and the adjacent yard, is home to the railway's Permanent Way department.

Dunster, famed for its castle, is a village steeped In history and well worth spending some time in.

The obvious place to start a tour of Dunster is at the top of the High Street, from where you can look across to the imposing castle. Immediately on the left is the Luttrell Arms Hotel, a 16th century coaching hostelry which played a significant role during the Civil War. Known then as the Ship Inn, it housed Colonel Blake's Roundheads during their 160-day siege of the Royalist-held castle.

Cannonballs flew up and down the High Street during the siege, and today a hole made by one of the cannonballs can still be seen in a beam in the famous old Yarn Market, opposite the hotel. The octagonal market was erected in 1609 following an Act of Parliament governing the sale of the cloth kerseymere or "Dunsters". Traders would be found under cover carrying out their business through the openings.

Dunster

Dunster

Dunster Water Mill Cafe

At the foot of the High Street, directly ahead is the steep climb to the castle, but a sharp turn right takes you into Church Street and a quieter but equally charming part of the village.

On the right is the Priest House, a 16th century cottage built from ship's timbers which forms the entrance to Dunster Church, dedicated to St. George. In the shape of a cross, the main body of the church is 15th century, but the Norman West Door and 13th century stone altar in the north chapel remain from an earlier building.

Through the North Door is the Priory Garden. Now only a fragment of its former self, it was used by the monks from the nearby Priory.

Opposite is the prior's 12th century Dovecote, which can hold 2,000 doves, and the Tithe Barn. Back in Church Street the road turns sharply into West Street, younger than High Street and today a pleasant row of shops and pubs.

History abounds in Dunster from the old packhorse bridge and thatched cob cottages, to the working watermill, medieval dovecote, tithe barn, and celebrated Yarn Market. The Nunnery and cottages have stood in Church Street for nigh on 550 years, whilst the one time affluent merchants houses in the High Street contrast with the former medieval woollen workers humble homes in West Street, still for the most part unchanged. With listed buildings in abundance; 6 Grade 1, 6 Grade 2*,
and over 100 Grade 2, there's lots to enjoy.

Dunster is host to many festivals and fetes including the famous Dunster by Candlelight.

Dunster Castle overlooks the village of Dunster was first settled on the present site around 700AD and was first referenced in the Doomsday Book. At this time the village was called Torre. Dunster has a Yarn Market in the High Street, the Memorial Hall which houses the Dolls Museum, the Nunnery in Church Street, also St. George's Church with its magnificent rood screen. Behind the Church is the Dovecote.

Dunster is perhaps the most beautiful village on Exmoor, with a wide main street of old-world houses and the 17th -century Yarn Market. One end of the street is dominated by the tower on Conygar Hill, built in 1775, a landmark for shipping; at the other end stands the castle. Built by the Normans, and enlarged down the centuries, Dunster Castle has been owned by only two families in a thousand years - the Mohuns and the Luttrells. Its gatehouse was built in 1421 by Sir Hugh Luttrell before the silting of the river destroyed Dunster's importance as a harbour. The 15th-century church, once both Benedictine priory and parish church, is the largest and finest on Exmoor.

It is generally recognised that Dunster is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in England, with its origins dating back to the times of Bronze and Iron Age Britain.

Fifteen hundred years or so before Dunster Castle was built, people were living on the hills above the River Avill, which runs through Dunster from the hills of Exmoor to the Bristol Channel. Round about 350 B.C.these peaceful users of bronze and iron built and occupied circular enclosures on Gallox Hill, within what is now Dunster Deer Park. Here they can be clearly seen with ditch and double banked settlement boundaries. The more complete fortification of the two, known as Bats Castle, has been attributed to the Romans, but this is more conjecture than fact. The first Saxons invaded the area around 700 AD and soon settled on the present Dunster site. The first written reference in the Domesday book names the site as Torre, but it was probably called after a Saxon Thane, Dunna, who founded the settlement with its strategically placed hill, with the last Saxon lord being Aluric.

Dunster Village from above
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Dunster Castle Doorway
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

Looking down on Dunster Village
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

One of William of Normandy's chief supporters in his conquest of England was William de Mohun, who came from St. Lo, not far from Bayeux in Normandy. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066 William de Mohun was granted sixty-nine West Country Manors including Dunster. This is where he decided to build the castle which was to become the administrative centre of his estates. William's choice of Dunster as the site for his castle was the making of the town. In 1197 it was described as a borough and by 1222 known to have a market. While the De Mohuns were living in the Castle, Dunster thrived as a well established centre in the cloth and woollen industry, with the first recorded fulling mill noted in 1259.

In 1376 Dunster Castle came under the ownership of the Luttrell family, who also had French origins, and it stayed in the family for the next 600 years. During much of this period, up until the 17th. century, sea-going ships used a small harbour at the mouth of the River Avill , but sadly no sign remains today as the whole river estuary has silted up. Also in existence at this time, and mentioned in the Domesday Book, were various corn mills. Two of these, called Newmylle and Nethermylle, were combined in 1620, and it is still operating today.

Dunster
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

The organisation of the woollen industry varied, but by the 17th century it was centred around wealthy clothiers and independent spinners which resulted in Geoffrey Luttrell, in 1601, building the Yarn Market in the High Street. During the Civil War, Dunster Castle was a focal point of military activity in the west, with both sides keen to hold a fortress so well placed strategically. After a five month seige the Royalists finally left the Castle in 1646 with drums beating and colours flying. The Yarn Market was damaged and had to be rebuilt, but a cannon ball hole in one of the beams can still be seen.

View into Dunster and the Medieval Gallox Bridge and the River Avill
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrel

In 1607 an Act of Parliament laid down regulations which standardised the kersey type cloth known as " Dunsters." This was a coarse narrow cloth, woven from long wool, and usually ribbed, but mechanisation and competition from the North of England saw the demise of the local industry over the next 200 years. One of the main routes into Dunster during this period was across the River Avill by way of Gallox Bridge, also known as the Pack Horse Bridge.This was built in the mid 14th Century.

Apart from the various changes to individual buildings that had taken place over the years, one of the main differences between the medieval times and the present was the disappearence of the "Shambles". This was a range of open stalls and cottages in existence in 1423 in the centre of North Street, now the High Street, but which were demolished in 1825 due to their dilapidated state. It is recorded that in 1791 there were 190 houses in Dunster, whereas at the beginning of that century there had been around 400. By 1840 Dunster had already turned it's back on the old days of the cloth industry and the weekly market, and was developing as a town of small businesses, and a full complement of craftsmen, ready to serve the local neighbourhood.

When Alexander Luttrell died in 1944 he had not made over either castle or estate to his heir. Crippling death duties were incurred and in 1949 Geoffrey Luttrell was forced to sell. The Ashdale Property Company bought the majority of the Dunster Estate in 1949 and shortly after, the greater part extending to just under 10,000 acres, and consisting of agricultural land, woodland and parkland, together with a number of non-residential properties, was acquired by the Crown Estate Commissioners.

In July 1951 over 125 houses, cottages and businesses, occupied by former tenants of the Luttrell family, were sold at public auction by the Ashdale Property Company. The vast majority were purchased by the sitting tenants and, at the drop of the hammer, a thousand years of a feudal system in Dunster came to an end.

Dunster Castle
Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

The remainder of the Dunster Estate, comprising the Castle and Grounds, passed to Colonel Walter Luttrell in 1957 on the death of his father, Geoffrey. When Walter's mother, who had continued to live in the Castle, later died, he gave the Castle, the Gardens and Old Deer Park to the National Trust in 1976.

Today, and nearly thirty years on, Dunster still retains it's original charm and atmosphere, and continues to be an important focal point for people coming to West Somerset with the Castle alone having well over 100,000 visitors each year.

The buildings and constructions that make up the heritage of Dunster have, in recent years, been well preserved and protected either by their owners or sympathetic conservation bodies and organisations.

In 2004 those buildings which make this medieval village almost unique, such as Dunster Castle, St. George's Church, the Yarn Market, Dovecote, Butter Cross, Pack Horse Bridge, Water Mill, and Conygar Tower and the early 16th Century Dunster Tithe Barn, originally part of a Benedictine Priory.

Dunster, is generally recognised as one of the most perfectly preserved mediaeval villages in the UK, with origins dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Visitors to the village delight in seeing buildings which make the historic experience almost unique: Dunster Castle, St George's Church, the Yarn Market, the Dovecote, Butter Cross, Pack Horse Bridge, the working Water Mill, and Conygar Tower and the early 16th century Tithe Barn, originally part of a Benedictine priory.

Dunster Castle can be found in Dunster, which also boasts a priory, dovecote, Yarn Market, inn, packhorse bridge (a packhorse bridge is typically very narrow and was only designed to take a horse and mill. The West Somerset Railway also stops here.

A renowned woolmarket town and site of Dunster Castle. The Luttrell Arms (also mentioned in the book) is still there today. Medieval village, castle, Yarn Market and mill.

On the southern edge of this National Trust village, follow the English Heritage signs for Gallox Bridge to find this nice old gravel ford at the point where the public road ends. You mustn't drive through, but you can probably cycle across the 20 yards, to a pleasant grassy public amenity area on the far side; or park in the adjacent car park and walk across the ancient little packhorse bridge that is now a preserved ancient monument. A further small ford is found around 100 yards further South, just before the cottages (below picture).

One of Britain's best preserved Medieval villages with castle (NT), working water mill, dolls museum, dovecote and 17th century Yarn Market in the High Street. Dunster's fortune was based on the wool trade and cloth making. The National Park Visitor Centre has an interesting painting of the market in 1599. Dunster Country Fair in July, Dunster Show in August and Dunster by Candlelight in early December are just a few of the many popular events held in the village.

Dunster Beach and railway station lie to the north of the village. There are excellent walks up to Bats Castle, Dunster Forest and Hopcott Common.

The village of Dunster was first settled on the present site around 700AD and was first referenced in the Doomsday Book. At this time the village was called Torre. The centuries have carved out a unique little village which is considered the jewel in the crown of Exmoor National Park.  Dunster is incredibly protected to ensure that it maintains its heritage. With over 200 grade 2 listed, 2 grade 1 and 2 grade 1* buildings Dunster is well preserved. 

The Yarn Market in the high street shows the village's wool trading heritage that held sway of the towns economy for hundreds of years.  Naturally the story and history of Dunster is integrally linked with the history of the castle itself which is now owned and maintained by the national trust. 

Dunster

Dunster boasts a number of unqiue attractions and features.  From the ancient high street to the old Butter Cross, the castle which towers over the village, the dolls museum and much more besides. 

The high street is almost unchanged from images taken close to two centuries ago.

• Dunster on Multi-map 
• Dunster in Google Maps 
• Dunster in Mappy
• Dunster in Ordanance Survey (Seach for Dunster)

Dunster, one of England's most scenic villages, was once renowned as a port and for its woollen industry. From its hilltop position the majestic Dunster Castle towers above the village and dates back to c.1066, it was here that the Luttrell family once ruled. Variety is part of Dunster's charm and there is a wealth of history to unfold. You will find the Yarn Market built by George Luttrell in 1609; St George's Church with its magnificent rood screen; picturesque cottages; and a nunnery, which is over 550 years old. There are ancient buildings, the watermill, packhorse bridge and the Iron Age remains of Bat's Castle.

Dunster has a number of festivals during the year, the Village Festival takes place on Spring Bank Holiday, the Country Fair in July, and Dunster Show and the Flower Festival are held in August. The village has a good range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to cosy B & B's, and with its variety of shops, pubs and restaurants it really does have a lot to offer.

Dunster - High Street, with the 1609 Yarn Market Dunster Castle, dating from 1070, dominates the village

www.dunster-exmoor.co.uk
The Medieval village of Dunster

The Nunnery and cottages have stood in Church Street for nigh on 550 years, whilst the one time affluent merchants houses in the High Street contrast with the former medieval woollen workers humble homes in West Street, still for the most part unchanged. With listed buildings in abundance; 6 Grade 1, 6 Grade 2*, and over 100 Grade 2, there's lots to enjoy.

The surrounding countryside is simply stunning and even a gentle walk up to Conygar Tower can be extremely satisfying. The views from the surrounding hills are breathtaking.

Dunster has a station ½ m. distant on the G.W. branch line to Minehead. For many people picturesque Somerset begins with Dunster, and its attractions are hardly overrated. Here both the artist and the antiquary find themselves in clover. The quaint wide street, with its gabled houses commanded at one end by the frowning heights of the castle, and overlooked at the other by a watch-tower, wears an air impressively mediaeval. The village was once a noted emporium for cloth, and "Dunsters" were quoted at reputable prices by every chapman. The venerable Yarn Market still stands; the date 1647 is the date of its repair by the grandson of the builder, George Luttrell. The Castle claims first attention, as the history of Dunster is largely the story of the Castle. It was, as might be expected, a legacy of the Conquest. It was built by Wm. de Mohun, and by his successor was made a sad thorn in the side of King Stephen. It passed into the hands of the Luttrells (its present possessors) by purchase. In the Civil War it was alternately held for the Parliament and the king, and in 1546 it was regarded as Charles's last hope in Somerset. Its resistance was stout; for 160 days Colonel Wyndham baffled the assaults of no less an adversary than Blake, and only surrendered on the total collapse of the Royal cause (p. 17). The grounds are entered under a gateway (Perp.), built by Sir H. Luttrell. The oldest part of the castle lies to the R. of this, flanked by two round towers (13th cent.), built by Reginald Mohun. (Note door and huge knocker, replacing original portcullis: another similar tower of the same date will be seen from the terrace). Of the mansion the portion to the R. of the elaborate doorway is the oldest (Elizabethan); the part to the L. dates from the 18th cent. In the grounds should be noticed (1) a lemon tree 200 years old, (2) cypresses, (3) magnificent yew hedge. The view obtainable from the terrace is varied and comprehensive, embracing mountain, sea, and park.

The Mohuns had ecclesiastical sympathies as well as military ambitions, for in addition to building the castle, they established a priory here in connection with Bath Abbey. This explains the peculiarity of Dunster Church, which possesses a separate monastic choir. The prior's lodging, and the conventual barn and dovecot, may still be seen in a yard on the N. side of the church. The church has a central tower of rather weak design. Internally this forms the division between the secular and monastic portion of the building. The chief feature of the church is a magnificent rood-screen which spans the whole width of the structure. It has been the model for many neighbouring imitations. The western half of the church is Perp., with occasional traces of an earlier Norm. building. The W. doorway is Norm., and on the W. side of the tower are the piers of a Norm. chancel arch. At the base of the tower there is a bit of masonry locally claimed as pre-Norman. The monastic choir and its sanctuary have been restored from indications of its original E.E. character. Besides transepts, the church has three chapels—that of the Holy Trinity on the S., St Mary's on the N., and beyond this the interesting chantry of St Lawrence, which contains a fine altar slab and a tiled floor. The monuments which call for notice are (1) in the monastic choir the effigy of a lady (said to be one of the Everard family), under a canopy; (2) on the N. of the sanctuary the recumbent figures of Sir Hugh Luttrell and wife (1428-33); (3) at E. end of the Chapel of Holy Trinity an incised slab with figure of Lady Eliz. Luttrell (1493); and (4) on S. of same chapel an altar with two pairs of recumbent figures, also Luttrells. A small brass with the figures of a man and woman will be found at the W. end of the S. aisle, bearing date 1470. In addition to features already mentioned, note (1) the unique E.E. arch at entrance of S. chapel, widened by Perp. builders for ritual purposes; (2) old alms and muniment chests in N. chapel; (3) old bench-end near W. doorway, from which the other woodwork has been copied. Externally should be observed (1) priest's house at S. entrance of churchyard; (2) recess for stocks in the wall close by; (3) churchyard cross with round base at W. end of church; (4) conventual barn and dovecot in yard on N.

The "Luttrell Arms," at the entrance of the village, has a mediaeval porch with openings for cross bows, a fine timbered wing at the back of the buildings, and some plaster work in one of the rooms. The Watch Tower on Conygar Hill (i.e. Coney Garth—"rabbit enclosure") is, as will easily be seen, a mere shell, built (probably for ornament's sake) in 1775. Amongst the old houses in which Dunster is peculiarly rich, the curious three-storeyed building at the entrance of the street leading to the church claims particular attention. It is locally known as the Nunnery, a curious designation, which points to a possible connection with the priory, perhaps in the capacity of guest house. The three storeys overhang one another, and are faced with shingles. At the bottom of the street which leads into the Dulverton road will be found a lane to the L. This descends to a stream which is crossed by a picturesque pack-horse bridge of two spans. There is an old market cross (locally known as the Butter Cross) hidden by the hedge on the right-hand side of the upper Minehead road.

Perhaps the most beautiful village on Exmoor, with a wide main Street of old-world houses and the 17th-century Yarn Market. One end of the street is dominated by the tower on Conygar Hill, built in 1775, a landmark for shipping; at the other end stands the castle. Built by he Normans and enlarged down the centuries, Dunster Castle has been owned by only two families in a thousand years the Mohuns and the Luttrells. Its gatehouse was built in 1421 by Sir Hugh Luttrell, before the silting of the river destroyed Dunster’s importance as a  harbour. The church, once both Benedictine priory and parish church, is the largest and finest on Exmoor. It dates mainly from the 15th century. and has a magnificent rood—screen. The nearby Luttrell Arms Hotel is said to have been a residence of the medieval Abbots of Cleeve.

Dunster used to be the main town of the region, famous for its cloth industry and having an attractive octagonal Yarn Market (built in 1609) at its centre. It still retains many beautiful buildings from the middle ages including the castle, the priory, the church and the Luttrell Arms.

During Elizabeth I's reign 'Dunster Haven' was a harbour of some importance, but it silted up long ago and now Dunster Beach is renowned for its long row of chalets beloved of many generations of holidaymakers. It is a good place to relax, with lovely views of Blue Anchor Bay and the green backdrop of coastal cliffs and hills beyond. Modern tourism probably keeps

the town as prosperous as it ever was, a new industry which seems to have left Dunster unspoiled.

Conygar Hill with its eighteenth century folly is an outstanding landmark. 'Conygar' possibly comes from 'Cony Garth', the old name for a rabbit warren (rabbits were known as conies).

Dunster Castle in its present form is largely a Victorian creation, although the first castle was erected just after the Norman conquest, and the Luttrell family have lived here since 1376. The castle once controlled the coast road and the strategically important route (now A396) through the hills and down the Exe Valley to Tiverton. Today owned by The National Trust, the castle is open to the public, and has many acres of parkland with thoroughbred cattle.

Dunster Station was opened in 1874 and is still used by the West Somerset Railway.

The nunnery in church street is a grade 2 listed building.  One of over 200 in the village. 

Local traditions include Apple Wassailing to scare away local spirits which is still practiced in the Butchers Arms in the neigbouring village of Carhampton.  The Minehead hobby horse visits Dunster on the evening of May 1st. 

The Nunnery clad with slate a beautiful building in Church Street

The priory church and nunnery located in the centre of Dunster were the spiritual centre in Dunster from the medieval ages.

Built in the 14th Centry St George's church was shared by the Monks and the parishoners for years. The church in the heart of the village is bordered on two sides by the village gardens which are open to the public. Inside the church an ornate wooden partion still remains from when the monks and local people had to be seperated beacuse they kept  "annoying" each  other. 

Dunster (pop 948) is one of the most visited places on Exmoor. It has all the features you would expect of an English Medieval village, including an ancient castle, priory, dovecote, Yarn Market, inn, packhorse bridge and mill - plus the modern scourge of busy road traffic. Its once prosperous woollen industry died in the eighteenth century, since when the village has been locked in a time warp. The main attraction is the National Trust castle, former home of the Luttrell family. However, the whole village and the lush countryside surrounding it are equally worth exploration. The National Park Centre shares displays with the National Trust and the Crown Estate, the major landowners in the area. Services are mainly tourist oriented, with a plethora of gift and tea shops.

The obvious place to start a tour of Dunster is at the top o the High Street, from where you can look across to the imposing castle. Immediately on the left is the Luttrell Arms Hotel, a 16th century coaching hostelry which played a significant role during the Civil War. Known then as the Ship Inn, it housed Colonel Blake's Roundheads during their 160-day siege of the Royalist-held castle. Cannonballs flew up and down the High Street during the siege, and today a hole made by one of the cannon-balls can still be seen in a beam in the famous old Yarn Market, opposite the hotel. The octagonal market was erected in 1609 following an Act of Parliament governing the sale of the cloth kerseymere or "Dunsters". Traders would be found under cover carrying out their business through the openings.

At the foot of the High Street, directly ahead is the steep climb to the castle, but a sharp turn right takes you into Church Street and a quieter but equally charming part of the village.

On the right is the Priest House, a 16th century cottage built from ship's timbers which forms the entrance to Dunster Church, dedicated to St. George.

In the shape of a cross, the main body of the church is 15th century, but the Norman West Door and 13th century stone altar in the north chapel remain from an earlier building.

Through the North Door is the Priory Garden. Now only a fragment of its former self, it was used by the monks from the nearby Priory.

Opposite is the prior's 12th century Dovecote, which can hold 2,000 doves, and the Tithe Barn. Back in Church Street the road turns sharply into West Street, younger than High Street and today a pleasant row of shops and pubs.

Dunster has a Country Fair in July and the Dunster Show in August. There is a Village Festival on the Spring Bank Holiday.

There is a Flower festival in the Church in August and Dunster-by-Candle-light is always the first Friday and Saturday in
December when the houses are lit by candlelight, all the shops are open and there is dancing and music in the street.

The Nunnery and cottages have stood in Church Street for nigh on 550 years, whilst the one time affluent merchants houses in the High Street contrast with the former medieval woollen workers humble homes in West Street, still for the most part unchanged. Dunster has many listed buildings; 6 Grade 1, 6 Grade 2*, and over 100 Grade 2.

St George's Church has been featured on BBC "English churches", housing the Luttrell tombs and the longest Rood Screen in England. The church clock plays a different tune daily on the hours one, five, and nine. Not to be missed.

Dunster: very high (perhaps top) on the list of the West Country's prettiest large villages, its castle on a wooded hillside standing romantically, feudally, over its lovely main street (16th cent. covered Yarn Market). Many other ancient buildings, cottages; finest church for many miles (ancient mulberry tree in grounds). Attractive pubs. Famous show in August and Christmas celebrations. And in exceptional countryside. Exmoor's heather hills, 6 miles; the sea/sand, 1.Minehead(small resort town, sandy beach good golf course), 2 miles.

Dunster is one of Britain's gems. Dunster was once a port but the sea receded long ago.

In 1274 a Benedictine priory was established on the north side of the church, housing a prior and four brothers. Part of the building still stands, now two cottages.

The church of St George is interesting with a 58ft rood screen of fourteen bays, said to be the longest in England.Other buildings include the Nunnery (more than 550 years old), Tithe Barn and Dovecote.

By the banks of the River Avill, below the Casde, is the I7th century Dunster Water Mill mentioned in the Domesday Book. This has two working water wheels which is very rare and visitors can climb the various levels to see it working. Many special events take place during the year, including the Country Fair, Dunster Show and Dunster by Candlelight at Christmas.
Around Dunster is much pretty countryside including Grabbist Hill, which is said to be the inspiration of the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful, and Gallox Bridge, formerly used by pack horses. Nearby Gallox Hill was the scene of many local hangings at the time of Judge Jeffries. The village is still said to be haunted by ghosts.

Eat and Drink
Castlee Coffee House, High Street 01643 821219
Meals and snacks served all day. Licensed. Covered terraced gardens.
Chapel House Tea Room, West Street 01643 821364
Light lunches and teas in the friendly setting of the historic old Chapel.
Cobblestones Restaurant and Cafe, High Street 01643 821595
Excellent food at excellent prices- open for lunch and evening meals.
Dunster Mill Tea Rooms and Garden, Mill Lane 01643 821759
Home baking at its best light lunches, scones and cakes by the river.
Haulaway's of Dunster, West Street 01643 821725
Light lunch and candlelight evening restaurant, specialising in fresh fish and local meat
Luttrell Arms Hotel, High Street 01643 821555
Open to residents and non - residents.
Stags Head Inn, West Street 01643 821229
Dunster's oldest inn, guide book recommended food, ales and bed & breakfast
Yarn Market Restaurant, High Street 01643 821425
Open 5.30pm dairy for home cooked food.

Looking and Visitng
Exmoor National Park Visitors Centre, The Steep 01643 821835
Exmoor information; walking leaflets, maps and books. Advice on ways to enjoy Exmoor.
Maurice Bishop's Studio Gallery, Castle Hill 01643 821052
Paintings, signed limited edition prints and greetings cards of Exmoor.
Dolls Museum, Memorial HalL High Street 01643 821220
Immense variety of Dolls of many periods (open daily l0.30am- 4.30pm weekdays.
Weekends 2.00pm- 5.00pm).
Dunster Castle (The National Trust) 01643 821314
Historic Castle, gardens and park.
Dunster Water Mill Mill Lane 01643 821759
Visit the Mill to see how stone ground flour is produced.
Dunster Village Gardens
Peace and tranquillity next to the church.
Henry Rimmer, Watercolourist, at Chapel Crafts 01643 821364
Art works for sale, commissions undertaken.
Jano Clarke, Potter, Casde Hill 01643 821836
Dunster's only working pottery, producing beautiful, hand thrown stoneware.
Tithe P^rn, Community HalL Priory Green 01643 821246
Early 16th century Tithe Barn. Ideal for meetings and weddings for up to 200 people.
West Somerset Steam Railway. (Train times 01643 707650) 01643 704996
Recapture steam's golden age on Britain's longest preserved railway.

Shopping
Ashleigh Bishop, High Street 01643 822112
Sculpture, prints, jewellery and greetings cards.
Chapel House Crafts, West Street 01643 821364
Contemporary jewellery, local arts & crafts, cards, baskets & preserves.
Cobbles Bookshop, Church Street 01643 821305
Second hand, out of print & antiquarian books. Free book search.
The Crooked Window, High Street 01643 821606
Robert and Margaret Ricketts. Fine antiques, jewellery, paintings, sculpture and art
Dunster Village Shop & Deli, High Street 01643 822078
Home of the TExmoor Pasty*, Somerset real ales, local ciders and other West Country
produce.
Dunster Woodland Products 01643 822260
Loxhole Bridge on A39, opposite Castle entrance. Timber garden products and
accessories.
Horse & Crook, High Street 01643 822191
Classic and unusual garden accessories. www.horseandcrook.co.uk
Humming Bird, Church Street 01643 821880
Beautiful things for you and your home.
wwwjacobsofdunster.co.uk, High Street 01643 822041
Quality family clothing from Adini, Amano, Amundsen, Dents, Nomads,
Pachamama, Poppy and more.
Parham House Brides, Church Street 01643 822298
The most beautiful wedding dresses and accessories in an inspiring setting.
Rainbow Gifts and Post Office, High Street 01643 821355
Quality gifts, stationery and books.
Roh/s Fudge Pantry, High Street 01643 821311
Original homemade crumbly fudge, produced on the premises.
The 5 Quarters 01643 822187
Magical crystals, jewellery, angels, faeries, candles, oils, incense and much more.
Traditional Candy Shop, High Street 01643 822099
Homemade soft fudge and traditional sweets.

Accommodation
Buttercross, St George's Street 01643 821413
AA 4 Star Bed & Breakfast Quiet location. Large, comfortable rooms.
'Castle View' apartment, Church Street 01643 822298
4 Star, listed self catering. Sleeps five. Parking, www.castleviewapartment.co.uk
Conygar House, Priory Green 01643 821872 AA Red Diamond Accommodation in a quiet comer of the village.
Dollons House, Church Street 01643 821880
5 Diamond AA, non smoking, all en-suite rooms, parking.
Dunster Water Mill, Mill Lane 01643 821759
Bed and Breakfast in a beautiful setting by the river. Parking.
Exmoor House Dunster, West Street 01643 821268
Bed & Breakfast and a little bit more. 4 Star Silver award. Non smoking.
Higher Orchard, St George's Street 01643 821915
Bed & Breakfast Quiet location. En-suite rooms. Off road parking.
Luttrell Arms Hotel High Street 01643 821555
Non-residents and residents welcome.
Millstream Cottage, Mill Lane 01643 821966
High quality Bed & Breakfast En-suite. Non smoking. Open all year.
No.7 West Street 01643 821064
Cottage HoteL Fine accommodation and French cooking
Spears Cross, West Street 01643 821439
Award winning Bed and Breakfast 4 Star, Silver. En-suite, non smoking Parking
Stags Head Inn, West Street 01643 821229
Beautifully restored en-suite bed & breakfast in historic inn with excellent food.
Yarn Market Hotel, High Street 01643 821425
Tourist Board 3 Stars Hotel Raring Open all year. Non smoking throughout
Many businesses are open in the winter months. Please call named business to check.

Burning the Ashen Faggot - Dunster, Christmas Eve

The ashen faggot is an old English Christmas tradition found in Devon and Somerset, similar to the Yule log. Ash sticks are bound together with a series of green ash or hazel withies and placed on the fire. Each time a binding bursts, a round of drinks is ordered and perhaps a story told. Today this tradition survives in Dunsterat the Luttrell Arms.

Dunster by Candlelight - this remarkably preserved medieval village turns its back on the present and lights its streets with candles. To mark the beginning of the festival there is the Lantern Lighting Procession. The free entertainment includes samba bands; Morris dancers; fire jugglers; storytelling; Rattlebox Theatre and Father Christmas, together with choirs & carol singers in St George's Church. www.dunsterbycandlelight.co.uk

Butter Cross Dunster

Butter Cross is the transplanted stump of a medieval stone cross, once a meeting-place for butter-sellers.

Food and Drink in Dunster

Castle Coffee House, High Street 01643 821219
Meals and snacks served all day. Licensed Covered terraced gardens.

Chapel House Tea Room, West Street 01643 821364
Light lunches and teas in the friendly setting of the historic old ChapeL

Cobblestones Restaurant and Cafe, High Street 01643 821595
Excellent food at excellent prices- open for lunch and evening meals.

Dunster Mill Tea Rooms and Garden, Mill Lane 01643821759
Home baking at its best Light lunches, scones and cakes by the river.

Haulaway's of Dunster, West Street 01643 821725
Light lunch and candlelight evening restaurant, specialising in fresh fish and local meat.

Lunrll Arms Hotel High Street 01643 821555
Open to residents and non - residents

Stags Head Inn, West Street 01643 821229
Dunster's oldest inn, guide book recommended food, ales and bed & breakfast

Yam Market Restaurant, High Street 01643 821425
Open 5.30pm daily for home cooked food.

Attractions

Exmoor National Park Visitors Centre, The Steep 01643 821835
Exmoor information; walking leaflets, maps and books. Advice on ways to enjoy Exmoor.

Maurice Bishop's Studio Gallery, Castle HiH 01643 821052
Paintings, signed limited edition prints and greetings cards of Exmoor.

Dolls Museum, Memorial HalL High Street 01643 821220
Immense variety of Dolls of many periods (open dailyl030am- 4.30pm weekdays.
Weekends 2.00pm- 5.00pm).

Dunsler Casrte (The National Trust) 01643 821314
Historic Castle, gardens and park.

Dunster Water Mill, Mill Lane 01643 821759
Visit the Mill to see how stone ground flour is produced.

Dunster Village Gardens
Peace and tranquillity next to the church.

Henry Rimmer, Watercolourist, at Chapel Crafts 01643 821364
Art works for sale, commissions undertaken.

Jano Clarke, Potter, Castle Hill 01643 821836
Dunster's only working pottery, producing beautiful, hand thrown stoneware.

Tithe Barn, Community HalL Priory Green 01643 821246
Early 16th century Tithe Barn. Ideal for meetings and weddings for up to 200 people.

West Somerset Steam Railway. (Train times 01643 707650) 01643 704996
Recapture steam's golden age on Britain's longest preserved railway.

Shopping
Ashleigh Bishop, High Street 01643 822112
Sculpture, prints, jewellery and greetings cards.

Chapel House Crafts, West Street 01643 821364
Contemporary jewellery local arts & crafts, cards, baskets & preserves.

Cobbles Bookshop, Church Street 01643 821305
Second hand, out of print & antiquarian books. Free book search.

The Crooked Window, High Street 01643 821606
Robert and Margaret Ricketts. Fine antiques, jewellery, paintings, sculpture and art

Dunster Village Shop & Deli, High Street 01643 822078
Home of the 'Exmoor Pasty', Somerset real ales, local ciders and other West Country produce.

Dunster Woodland Products 01643 822260
Loxhole Bridge on A39, opposite Castle entrance. Timber garden products and accessories.

Horse & Crook, High Street 01643 822191
Classic and unusual garden accessories, www.horseandcrook.co.uk

Humming Bird, Church Street 01643 821880
Beautiful things for you and your home.

www.jacobsofdunster.co.uk, High Street 01643 822041
Quality family clothing from Adini, Amano, Amundsen, Dents, Nomads, Pachamama, Poppy and more.

Parham House Brides, Church Street 01643 822298
The most beautiful wedding dresses and accessories in an inspiring setting.

Rainbow Gifts and Post Office, High Street 01643 821355
Quality gifts, stationery and books.

Rol's Fudge Pantry, High Street 01643 821311
Original homemade crumbly fudge, produced on the premises.

The 5 Quarters 01643 822187
Magical crystals, jewellery, angels, faeries, candles, oik, incense and much more.

Traditional Candy Shop, High Street 01643 822099
Homemade soft fudge and traditional sweets.

Accommodation
Butfercross, St George's Street 01643 821413
AA 4 Star Bed & Breakfast Quiet location. Large, comfortable rooms,

'Castle View' apartment, Church Street 01643 822298
4 Star, listed self catering. Sleeps five. Parking, www.castleviewapartmentco.uk

Conygar House, Priory Green 01643 821872
AA Red Diamond Accommodation in a quiet comer of the village.

Dollons House, Church Street 01643 821880
5 Diamond AA, non smoking, all en-suite rooms, parking.

Dunster Water Mill, Mill Lane 01643 821759
Bed and Breakfast in a beautiful setting by the river. Parking.

Exmoor House Dunster, West Street 01643 821268
Bed & Breakfast and a Etde bit more. 4 Star Silver award. Nonsmoking.

Higher Orchard, St George's Street 01643 821915
Bed & Breakfast Quiet location. En-suite rooms. Off road parking.

Luttrell Arms Hotel High Street 01643 821555
Non-residents and residents welcome.

Millstream Cottage, Mill Lane 01643 821966
High quality Bed & Brealdast En-suite. Non smoking. Open all year.

No.7 West Street 01643 821064
Cottage Hotel. Fine accommodation and French cooking.

Spears Cross, West Street 01643 821439
Award winning Bed and Breakfast 4 Star, Silver. En-suite, non smoking. Parking.

Stags Head Inn, West Street 01643 821229
Beautifully restored en-suite bed & breakfast in historic inn with excellent food.

Yarn Market HoteL High Street 01643 821425
Tourist Board 3 Stars Hotel Rating. Open aU year. Non smoking throughout

Dunster Castle and Yarn Market approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Dunster Dovecott approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Dunster Churchyard approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Dunster Monk's Garden and Priory approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Dunster approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Dunster Old Mill approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Dunster Nunnery approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

Dunster Yran Market approx 1940 - photo presented with the kind permisssion of www.grumpystumpy.com

See also:

Visit Dunster

www.dunsterbycandlelight.co.uk

www.dunstertithebarn.org.uk

www.visitdunster.co.uk

Exmoor Beast Cycle Race

OS Grid Reference: SS9943

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