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Dunster has over 120 listed buildings. Because of this, the village
has remained virtually intact, and still looks much has it would have
done in centuries past.
With a population of just over 400 Dunster maintains
its "small village" feel whilst giving a delightful experience to
visitors.
Exmoor produces some of the finest food and drink in the country,
celebrated each year at the Exmoor Food Festival. Ideal for sourcing
produce which enables our pubs and restaurants to create some excellent
dishes. A great range of cuisine can be found in the village itself
with a good choice of restaurants, three pubs and tearooms. Dunster has a wide variety of interesting shops to
browse. Localcrafts and art, books, ceramics - all of a high standard
can be found on a stroll around the village.
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Dunster's Heritage
Dunster Castle looks down over the village and the Old Deer Park
towards the coast. The original Norman building has been much altered,
firstly in the 1600's and again in the 1800's.It is now in the hands of
the National Trust. The woods around the castle and it's gardens slope
down to the River Avill from which a Mill Leet still turns the
functioning water wheels of the Dunster Water Mill. This is still
working and grinding and selling "Dunster Flour".
Many other fine and well-preserved examples of Dunster's medieval past
still exist. These include the Yarn Market, The Norman Church, The
Dovecote, Tithe Barn, Butter Cross, Conygar Tower and Packhorse Bridge.
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Dunster Castle
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Looking from the Old coach road towards Exmoor
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Around Dunster
Situated in the Exmoor National Park, Dunster makes an excellent base
for walking, riding, or mountain biking. Footpaths to Grabbist Hill,
and the Iron Age Fort "Bats Castle" in the Old Deer Park, lead directly
from the village. The South West Coast Path starts from Minehead. The
first 20 miles as far as Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon being one
of the most dramatic stretches in the country. Visitors walking this
part can then use a local bus service to return to Minehead.
For the more adventurous there is also the "Two Moors Way" linking
Exmoor with Dartmoor and the "Coleridge Way" connecting Exmoor and the
Quantock Hills.
There are many fine Exmoor country pubs and restaurants in the
surrounding area enabling you to find anything to suit your taste or
budget. |
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