A great car-free day out around Dunster, taking in the village and the surrounding countryside on foot. Or you can take the bus to local villages and attractions along the bus route.
Highlights
¨ Dunster Castle
¨ The Yarn Market
¨ Gallox Bridge
¨ Dunster Dolls Museum
¨ Dunster Working Water Mill
¨ Dunster church and Dovecot
¨ Scenic walks overlooking Dunster
¨ Steam train ride to Washford or Minehead and walk back
¨ Bus ride to Timberscombe and walk back
¨ Bus ride to Wheddon Cross or Dulverton and bus back
Walk around Dunster
Enjoy the morning discovering the medieval village of Dunster with its wonderful collection of old buildings. Go to the Yarn Market in the High Street and find the cannon ball hole in the roof beam. See the Dunster Dolls Museum on the right towards the castle. Visit the Castle and its sub-tropical gardens (Castle closed on Thursdays). Then go across to the Priory Church and the Dovecot, next to the Tithe Barn, now restored to serve as an impressive meeting hall.
With the Dovecot behind you, go to your right along Priory Green to the end by the school. Turn left along St George’s Street to the end and turn right along the main road, West Street. Soon turn left down Mill Lane, soon following the mill leat to the end of the lane to the working Water Mill.
Return along Mill Lane, shortly turning left along Mill Gardens, a footpath between bungalows, to the end and bear left along the road to reach Gallox Bridge, an ancient pack horse bridge. Either return the way you came, or cross the bridge and take the permissive footpath to the left beside the river, taking the next bridge over the river to then pass through the deer park and the grounds of the castle back to Dunster car park and village.
Bus outings
Take the 398 from Dunster High Street bus stop (near traffic lights). We recommend you check bus times at the National Park Centre or at Traveline, https://www.travelinesw.com/
Go to Timberscombe for a 6.5 mile, 3 ¾ hour walk back to Dunster
Go to Wheddon Cross for a pub lunch
Go to Dulverton to visit the charming village on the river Barle and plenty of delightful shops. Visit the Dulverton Guildhall Heritage Centre.
West Somerset Railway Steam Train outings
From the National Park Centre in Dunster, walk away from the village to use the subway under the main road. Bear left as you exit the subway and shortly bear right along the road through Marsh Street. Soon bear right again towards Dunster Station. At the station buy a ticket to either Washford or Minehead. Trains approximately every 2 hours in each direction.
Attractions: Or visit Cleeve Abbey, a half mile, 15 minutes’ walk from the station to the 13th century monastic site. Then walk on to Torre Cider (free) another 15 minutes walk further along Abbey Road. Enjoy the animals and cream tea before returning to the station. Check return train times before leaving the station.
At Minehead
Walks: follow the coast path for 3 mile, 1 ¾ hour walk back to Dunster.
Attractions: Walk along the seafront to Minehead Golf Course or Butlins. There are amusement arcades and places to eat in Minehead.
Other Car-Free Days Out in this series
¨ Dulverton
¨ Lynmouth
¨ Combe Martin
¨ Porlock
¨ Exford
¨ Minehead
Tourist Information
Dunster National Park Centre, Dunster Steep, Dunster, 01643 821835
Minehead Tourist Information Centre, Warren Road, Minehead, 01643 702624
You will find plenty of local walk leaflets at these TIC’s.
Public Transport
For up-to-date information please contact Traveline on https://www.travelinesw.com/
Disclaimer
Timetables for public transport are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change over the lifetime of this blog. We recommend that you check the current bus timetables and opening times of attractions and eating places before travelling.