Dunster
Dunster is a medieval town
with a long history. Its fame and wealth were built on its cloth
making. The octagonal wooden yarn-market (see picture) in the centre of
Dunster was built in 1609 and for many years after, market day was the
biggest event for miles around.
The town received a Charter from Reginald de Mohun shortly after the Norman
Conquest. Up until the reign of Elizabeth 1 Dunster was a busy port known
as Dunster Haven.
Nowadays the village is very popular with visitors during the summer but retains
its charming, medieval air. There are a number of tea rooms, inns, local
craft shops and an Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre. There is a beach
approx. half a mile south of the village centre and there is a West Somerset
Steam Railway Station.
The Castle is best described by the National Trust, its modern guardians:
" Dramatically sited atop a wooded hill, there has been a castle
here since at least Norman times. The 13th-century gatehouse survives, but the
present building was remodelled in 1868–72 by Antony Salvin for the Luttrell
family, who have lived here for 600 years. The fine oak staircase and
plasterwork of the 17th-century house he adapted can still be seen. There is a
sheltered terrace to the south, on which tender plants and shrubs grow, and
beautiful parkland in which to walk " |
Yarn market - Castle
behind
Click
here for details of the Castle |
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Yarn Market
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Dunster
Castle
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The Castle hosts many events throughout the year (which feature in our
events pages) including concerts on the lawns. Below the Castle is St.
George's Church, a fine cruciform building 168 feet long which dates mainly
from the early fifteenth century. The tower is 90 feet high. The
church contains many beautiful features, the finest being a rood-screen
which stretches the full width of the building (55 feet). There are
lots of fine old buildings in the village, many now housing tea shops or
specialist shops of interest to visitors.
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PLACES
TO STAY
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The Court
Self Catering
Luxborough
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The Court provides the perfect break for two people. At
the centre of the traditional Exmoor village of Luxborough.
The Court offers both comfort and charm, with every convenience.
Superbly equipped accommodation with kingsize bed, Egyptian cotton
linen, large fluffy towels, rolltop bath, separate shower.
Kitchen with dishwasher, microwave.
Lobby with washer and tumble dryer.
Wonderful walks with stunning scenery.
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Willow Thatch
Self Catering
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Grade II listed thatched cottage with two bedrooms sleeps 4+1. One double, one twin and a cot.
Fully equipped kitchen. Linen, towels and all gas / electricity included.
Parking permit for free parking in many local car parks.
Small fully enclosed courtyard. Children welcome. Well behaved pets welcome (£15 extra).
Close to Castle and Dunster's attractions. Fabulous walks on your doorstep.
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Chimney Cottage
Self Catering
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A charming, listed, thatched cottage near the Old Mill in Dunster, with a south-facing courtyard garden sloping down to the stream that feeds the Mill (a stone wall with a solid gate ensures safety for children).
It offers high quality, spacious, centrally-heated accommodation for up to
6 persons. 3 bedrooms (1 with en suite shower room, 1 with en suite wc/basin), family bathroom, sitting room with
Sky tv, DVD player/recorder, large farmhouse kitchen with dishwasher, washer/dryer, fridge/freezer. Cot, high chair and stairgate available. Dogs welcome.
Full details with floor plans and up-to-date availability/prices, including short breaks, on our website.
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Trinity Cottage
B&B and
Self Catering
Roadwater
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The cottage has beautiful views from all bedrooms over the
wooded, Exmoor valley of Roadwater Village. A quiet, rural setting with pretty
gardens, field and stables. En-suite rooms with colour tv's and drink trays.Good walking from the doorstep and on the Coleridge Way Walk. Cleeve
Abbey, Dunster and coast nearby. A very comfortable base for Exmoor sightseeing. Excellent breakfasts and a smile to greet you!
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Cedar House
B&B and
Self Catering
Old Cleeve
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Cedar House is a fine Edwardian country house offering
superb bed & breakfast and self catering accommodation. Set in 1.5
acres of gardens with ample parking, its location has stunning views of
the Brendon Hills, Exmoor and the sea. There are 2 double and 1
twin B&B bedrooms with ETC 4 Diamond grading. Also 3 detached
self catering cottages in the grounds which sleep 2 or 4.
Situated on the edge of the unspoilt village of Old Cleeve, Cedar House
is ideally placed for visits to all the regions attractions including
Minehead, Dunster and Blue Anchor Bay, all of which are linked by the
West Somerset Steam Railway. Cedar House is ideal for those
seeking a peaceful and relaxing break.
tel:01984-640437 Christine and David Holmes
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Yarn Market Hotel
Dunster centre
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A small family
run hotel with a warm and friendly atmosphere in the heart of
Dunster. Our elegant restaurant serves speciality and traditional
English fayre, freshly prepared from local produce. All 24 bedrooms have beautiful new soft furnishings for 2001, en-suite
bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities, remote control colour
TV and central heating.
tel:01643
821425 fax:01643 821475
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Lyndale
Self-Catering
Roadwater
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Dunster 5 miles
18th Century stone cottage, combining character with comfort. Located in
pretty village with inn and shop nearby.
Sleeps 4-6. Open fire and
woodburner. Beamed ceilings. Parking and garden 50 yards from door.
Excellent walking, inland and coastal. No smoking. Dogs welcome.
£260-£485 inc. electricity
tel: 01984-641426 Mr J. Middleton
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Full
directory listing: Hotels,
B&B
| Self
Catering
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| REGULAR
EVENTS |
| Country Fair |
July |
| Dunster Show |
August |
| Village Festival |
Spring Bank Holiday |
| Flower Festival
(Church) |
August |
| Dunster-by-Candlelight |
First Friday and
Saturday in December |
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PUBLIC
TRANSPORT
Buses:
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| 37 |
Minehead/
Luccombe/ Wootton Courtenay/ Dunster/ Minehead
Mondays and Thursdays |
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| 300 |
Taunton/ Dunster/
Minehead/ Lynton/ Ilfracombe/ Barnstaple |
| 39 |
Minehead/ Dunster
'Shuttle'
Mondays to Saturdays |
| 398 |
Tiverton/
Bampton/ Dulverton/ Dunster/ Minehead |
| 285 |
"North Exmoor
Circular" Mon-Fri May-Oct
Minehead/ Dunster/ Winsford/ Withypool/
Exford/ Porlock/ Minehead |
Trains:
The only train service is provided by the West
Somerset Railway at Dunster Station (approx 0.5 mile from the
town centre). |
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click
here for more general details
and public
transport
links/contacts
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