Places to see in ( Dunster - UK )
Places to see in ( Dunster - UK )
Dunster is a village, civil parish and former manor within the English county of Somerset, today just within the north-eastern boundary of the Exmoor National Park. It lies on the Bristol Channel coast 2.5 miles (4 km) south-southeast of Minehead and 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Taunton.
Iron Age hillforts testify to occupation of the area for thousands of years. The village grew up around Dunster Castle which was built on the Tor by the Norman warrior William I de Moyon (d. post 1090) shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Castle is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. From that time it was the caput of the Feudal barony of Dunster. The Castle was remodelled on several occasions by the Luttrell family who were lords of the manor from the 14th to 20th centuries. The benedictine Dunster Priory was established in about 1100. The Priory Church of St George, dovecote and tithe barn are all relics from the Priory.
The village became a centre for wool and cloth production and trade, of which the Yarn Market, built by George Luttrell (d.1629), is a relic. There existed formerly a harbour, known as Dunster Haven, at the mouth of the River Avill, yet today the coast having receded is now about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) from the village and no sign of the harbour can be seen on the low lying marshes between the village and the coast. Dunster has a range of heritage sites and cultural attractions which combine with the castle to make it a popular tourist destination with many visitors arriving on the West Somerset Railway, a heritage railway running from Minehad to Bishops Lydeard. The village lies on the route of the Macmillan Way West, Somerset Way and Celtic Way Exmoor Option.
Dunster is mentioned as a manor and Dunster Castle as belonging to William I de Moyon (alias de Moion, also de Mohun) in the 1086 Domesday Book. After the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century, he constructed a timber castle on the site as part of the pacification of Somerset. A stone shell keep was built on the motte by the start of the 12th century, and the castle survived a siege during the early years of the Anarchy. At the end of the 14th century the de Mohuns sold the castle to the Luttrell family, who continued to occupy the property until the late 20th century.
Dunster Castle was positioned on a steep, 200-foot (61 m) high hill. Geologically, the hill is an outcrop of Hangman Grits, a type of red sandstone. During the early medieval period the sea reached the base of the hill, close to the mouth of the River Avill, offering a natural defence and making the village an inland port. Nearby is the Dunster Park and Heathlands Site of Special Scientific Interest noted for nationally important lowland dry heath, dry lowland acid grassland, wood-pasture with veteran trees and ancient semi-natural oak woodland habitats.
Dunster, in Exmoor National Park, has many listed buildings including 200 Grade II, two Grade I and two Grade II*. The 17th century Yarn Market is a market cross which was probably built in 1609 by the Luttrell family who were the local lords of the manor to maintain the importance of the village as a market, particularly for wool and cloth. Nearby was an older cross known as the Butter Cross which was constructed in the late 14th or early 15th century and once stood in the High Street.
Other notable buildings include the Nunnery, Dunster Watermill, Dovecote and the Priory barn, which belonged to Dunster Priory. Dunster Working Watermill (also known as Castle Mill) is a restored 18th century watermill, situated on the River Avill, close to Gallox Bridge, in the grounds of Dunster Castle. It is a Grade II* listed building. Conygar Tower is a folly used as a landmark for shipping. It is at the top of Conygar Hill and overlooks the village. It is a circular, 3 storey tower built of red sandstone, situated on a hill overlooking the village. Dunster Doll Museum houses a collection of more than 800 dolls from around the world.
Dunster railway station is on the West Somerset Heritage Railway, though the station is over a mile from the village. The station was opened on 16 July 1874 by the Minehead Railway. Road access is via the A39 and A369. The nearest international airports would be those at Exeter or Bristol.
( Dunster - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting the city of Dunster . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Dunster - UK
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Somerset Weekend away with Swansea Ramblers - Dunster circular
We had a weekend stay at the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster and put on a short and a long walk each day for our members. This walk was the Sunday short one that went to the historic Gallox Bridge, the tallest tree in England (but not the one we're hugging!) and high onto Bat's Castle Iron Age Fort from where we had clear views back to South Wales.
Swansea Ramblers enjoy short and long walks every week to explore the countryside while socialising and making new friends.
We have social events such as meals in local restaurants and weekends away, such as to the Cotswolds and Chester.
Visit us on swansearamblers.org.uk to see the photos of our walks and the full programme of upcoming walks.
We'll be pleased to see you on one of our strolls in the country.
River Avill
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The River Avill is a small river on Exmoor in Somerset, England.It rises on the eastern slopes of Dunkery Beacon and flows north through Timberscombe and Dunster flowing into the Bristol Channel at Dunster Beach.The Gallox Bridge in Dunster dates from the 15th century.It has been designated as a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.
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