A large selection of guest houses, hotels, inns and self catering holiday accommodation is available to choose from. At first it was made of wood but later it was rebuilt in. Dunster castle and village, including the historic yarn. It is titled americas oldest corporation and first ceo. Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, the castle dates back to norman times. In the 12th century it sat on the coast, and thrived as the main trading port for exmoor. The national trust owns the thousandyearsold dunster castle. Street in the village of dunster, somerset, england uk. Dunster village in the county of somerset is one of the prettiest villages in. Dunster village 2020 all you need to know before you go.
We visited dunster to view dunster castle and did not realise what a beautiful place it was to stay. The fantastic dunster castle, watermill, church and gardens are all well worth exploring. The castle belonged to the luttrell family at the time. The village is also home to the old doll collection. Brief history of dunster village tithe barn, dunster. A view of dunster village in somerset, england, uk. With its castle, yarn market, tithe barn and a wealth of listed buildings, dunster is a favourite destination for many tourists. Aug 12, 2018 the busiest the village gets is for the dunster show. We were totally unprepared for the number of buildings of historical interest. Dunster castle is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house, in the village of dunster, somerset, england. The tiny village of dunster is one of the most beautiful in somerset. Situated in the medieval village of dunster within exmoor national park, we specialise in walking holidays and special interest breaks. The britain express heritage guide to somerset looks at dunster s history, what to see, and visiting information, with plenty of beautiful photos. The life and times of henry dunster, first president of harvard.
Things to do in dunster visitor information the best. Dunster is a village, civil parish and former manor within the english county of somerset, today just within the northeastern boundary of the exmoor national park. Full text of a history of dunster and of the families of. Dunster remains a sleepy place that has hardly grown since the 1801 census. The village is dominated by dunster castle, a norman fortress later transformed into a victorian country house by the luttrell family, who have held the manor of dunster for over 600 years. This book, which covers the local history dating as far back as to 1066, captures the development of the village from anglosaxon rule and the turn of the medieval period right up and to the 21st century. It has an impressive medieval gatehouse and ruined tower giving a reminder of its turbulent history, it resisted siege twice. Dunster is englands largest medieval village, it boasts over 100 conservation grade 1 and 2 listed buildings, with many dating from the 11th and. The first written reference in the domesday book names the site as torre, but it was probably called after a saxon. Dunster is a village on the coast of the bristol channel in somerset, just within the northeastern boundary of the exmoor national park.
The medieval village of dunster is in somerset within the exmoor national park. Step back in time to the village of dunster in somerset. There is an elevated, paved courtyard with seating and views down to the castle and over the rooftops of dunster village. The dunster castle towers above the village, and the high street is flamed by quaint shops and tea rooms. The castle and village explores the local history of dunster castle and its surrounding area in somerset.
A book about henry dunster and early harvard history is now available. Famous inhabitants of dunster house have included al gore and tommy lee jones, who were roommates there in the late 1960s. Things to do in dunster visitor information the best of. Dunsters mascot is the moose, inspired by the three golden elk on the dunster family crest. The pretty village of dunster sits on the north eastern fringes of exmoor national park, near minehead. The station has toilets, but no disabled facilities. Dunster has it all an historic castle overlooking the town, a working water mill. Find the perfect dunster village somerset stock photo. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A journey through 900 years of savage and colourful history. Harvard and henry dunster 2008 and is available from amazon, or by writing to. The castle is mentioned in the domesday book of 1086. Dunster village 2020 all you need to know before you go with.
Other notable dunster alumni include al franken, norman mailer, caspar weinberger, and deval patrick. Within those contrasts there is a wide choice of things to do in somerset. Our independent 3 star familyrun hotel prides itself on friendly service. 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. The landscape gives rise to some of the best grassland in the world, along with beautiful apple and pear orchards and fields of vegetables.
The castle lies on the top of a steep hill called the tor, and has been fortified since the late anglosaxon period. The dig village crew visited dunster for a dig weekend at the end of last year. We offer a warm welcome to all who want to enjoy the magnificent surroundings of exmoor and west somerset. The population of dunster is now less than a hundred more at about 860. Dig village the ultimate handson guide to discovering. Check some videos from the dunster dig weekend below. The castle sits proudly on top of a steep, heavily wooded hill called the tor and has been fortified since the late anglosaxon period. Book the perfect vacation rental find the top 31 dunster cabins, cottages and chalets. Dunster an historic village and castle with thatched cottages in somerset. Just off the a39 travelling north towards minehead, we spotted the grand castle of dunster, raised above the surrounding countryside on an imposing hill, as we turned left and drove into this pretty, medieval village.
It is so pretty with all the protected houses and such a wonderful history. We dont know who dun or dunn was but he must have been a powerful saxon. Set on a hillside in the quaint town of dunster, luttrell arms is just 5. Visit dunster castle, somerset, a vast national trust property on the fringes of exmoor. The dunster village societys aim is to ensure that the village of dunster retains its individual, medieval character. Winding cobbled streets are lined with authentic, familyrun tea rooms, galleries, homeware shops and pubs. Many of the towns buildings are picturebook thatched cottages, with roses. Its historic eightgabled yarn market was built in 1609 by george luttrell for the sale of renowned dunster cloth. A medieval village in exmoor national park, bursting with character. A variety of windows in the styles of different historical periods were inserted in the walls, while modern victorian.
The life and times of henry dunster, first president of. It is to be found two and a half miles southsoutheast of minehead and twenty miles northwest of taunton this is a small place, of just 817 inhabitants at the 2011 census, but a fine village with many attractions and sites of interest. Less than 3 miles from seaside town of minehead, dunster is a peaceful village, which is surrounded by exmoor and the hills, a truly wonderful location for those who like walking or the great outdoors. Little dragons is a character cottage, located in the heart of dunster, just off west street. This cottage is located in the village of dunster near minehead and can sleep five people in three bedrooms. During the 12th century dunster thrived as a trading port, known as dunster haven. The busiest the village gets is for the dunster show.
The luttrell arms restaurant serves modern british food, while the cozy bar offers a traditional menu. Dunster castle and village as it looked many years ago. While, on the edge of the village is the old pack horse bridge. The cottage is around 200 years old and backs on to the grounds of st georges church, a center piece of the village. You can find out about the history of the castle here. The village lies on the route of the macmillan way west, somerset way and celtic way exmoor option.
The britain express heritage guide to somerset looks at dunsters history, what to see, and visiting information, with plenty of beautiful photos. Although the domesday book names the settlement as torre, it was. 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. Set at the foot of the castle just 20 metres from the castle entrance itself, guests couldnt be closer to the beauty and attractions that dunster has to offer. All the staff were very friendly and helpful, limited parking around hotel but they gave you parking permits to use main car park to dunster which was 2 minute walk from hotel. Many of the towns buildings are picturebook thatched cottages, with roses around the door and colourful cottage gardens. Despite being a relatively small place dunster has over 200 listed buildings, witness to a long and wealthy history. History of dunster yarn market lying between the wooded hills of exmoor and the sea, dunster is one of the most attractive villages in somerset. Apr 05, 2017 time teams dig village a pictorial diary. Dunster castle is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house, in the village of.
Dig village the ultimate handson guide to discovering the local history and archaeology of your community. This is the main visitor route to the castle so may be busy at peak times. It is an investigation of the history and archaeology of britains most amazing villages, starting with dunster, somerset. Visit dunster village for more shops and places to eat. At the gateway to exmoor park lies the medieval village of dunster, and at the very heart of dunster lies the dunster castle hotel. Set on a hillside in the quaint town of dunster, luttrell arms is just 5 minutes walk from dunster castle. From that time it was the caput of the feudal barony of dunster. Dunster castle and village is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house in the village of dunster, somerset. Dunster, the jewel in the crown of exmoor, offers universal appeal in all seasons, a wealth of history and infinite variety.
Many of the towns buildings are picture book thatched cottages, with roses around the door and colourful cottage gardens. It is to be found two and a half miles southsoutheast of minehead and twenty miles northwest of taunton. Dunster station has a booking office and sells the full range of west somerset railway fares and indeed the tickets for the railway are printed here on a press formerly used by british railways. There is so much history in this beautiful medieval market village. There are beautiful walks around the village, and a. Dunster village all you need to know before you go. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. There is a pretty garden with an outside seating area. We had booked a couple nights on travezoo, at the excellent. I truly envy all the people who are able to see the lovely and breathtaking castle known as dunster. Somerset is a county of contrasts from invigorating coastlines and seaside sandy beaches to gigantic limestone gorges, from lowlying wetlands to uplands and moors with panoramic views. Time teams creator and series producer tim taylor is on a mission to get people interested in the history and archaeology of their local villages and small towns. Tim taylor, creator and series producer of time team.