Dunster Castle

A castle that became a family home

Dunster Castle stands above the village of Dunster, close to Minehead. The Luttrell family lived here for around 600 years, and the medieval gatehouse is among the oldest parts you can still see. Later owners remodelled the buildings as a comfortable country home, and the National Trust now looks after it.

Inside, the Trust highlights a collection of painted leather hangings that it describes as the only one of its kind in the UK. Routes are steep, with steps and uneven surfaces, and the Trust lists a stairclimber, ramped access, an induction loop and wheelchairs to borrow. Detailed access guides are linked from the National Trust property page.

Gardens, watermill and parkland

The garden takes in four different microclimates, with subtropical planting and a bowling green on the old castle mound. The watermill is a working Victorian one with three floors of traditional machinery and milling days, and it has its own tea-room.

The less formal parkland follows the River Avill, and the Trust says it is a place to spot otters and kingfishers. A natural play area is built around a giant redwood, and a path leads out to the wider estate and the deer park. There is a parkland trail of about 1 mile.

Walks from the estate

The Trust lists longer walks that leave from Dunster. A circular woodland route of about 2.2 miles reaches Conygar Tower, a folly on the hill above the village. Grabbist Hill is about 2.5 miles and passes ancient woodland, and the longest, about 4 miles, climbs to Bats Castle, an Iron Age hillfort.

Planning the day

Opening times differ for the castle, garden and parkland and change through the year, so check the property page before you leave. The car park gates are locked at 6pm daily. If you would rather leave the car behind, ride the West Somerset Railway to Dunster station and walk up through the village.