Dunster Castle and Village

Dunster Castle and Village is a former motte and bailey castle, now a country house in the village of Dunster, Somerset. The castle sits proudly on top of a steep, heavily wooded hill called the Tor and has been fortified since the late Anglo-Saxon period. The castle you now see today became a lavish country home during the 19th century for the Luttrell family who lived in the house for over 600 years. They then gave the house to the National Trust who now keep the house clean and in working order for its thousands of visitors.

The castle boasts spectacular views of the Bristol channel, the Quantock hills and the moors of Exmoor. Not only are the views from the castle beautiful but the gardens at Dunster are equally as breath-taking. The results of 100’s of years of planning, building and restoration, a walk around the gardens at Dunster castle takes you around the world and through four different micro climates.

If flora and fauna doesn’t excite you then the history of the castle and village certainly will. With over 1,000 years of history the castle has plenty of amazing stories to tell. From how the house was besieged during the English Civil War to how the home was gifted to the Norman de Mohuns, who had been granted the lands at Dunster by William the Conqueror for services at the Battle of Hastings.

Not only does the castle have tea rooms and cafe’s but the village is also home to quaint and charming pubs if you fancy something more substantial.

So, visit Dunster Castle and Village today for a great family day out in the heart of Somerset.