A postcard from Dunster
southern living
The skyline is dominated by Dunster Castle; Gallox Bridge (right) once carried packhorses; the Yarn Market (below right) dates from the 17th century.
Property...
ou fav r i
te
our
The town is bursting with charm and architectural character, boasting more than 200 listed buildings from medieval merchants’ houses to wool-makers’ homes.
FEATURE COLUMBA COLIVET ASSISTED BY KATE HUTCHINS Photographs (high street and castle; gallox bridge) COLUMBA COLIVET; (yarn market) david clapp/photolibrary
i
o
d
es
n
rset some t i n at
A postcard from...
Five-bedroom cottage, £295,000 Grade II listed property in the heart of Dunster with exposed beams, wall timbers and an open fireplace. Outside there’s a walled garden and separate studio. Webbers, 01643 706917, webbers.co.uk.
Dunster
WHERE? At the gateway to Exmoor National Park, this pretty Somerset medieval village is well worth a visit. WHY VISIT NOW? Enjoy brisk autumn rambles and witness competitive stag duels on the moorland. GETTING THERE… Fast trains from London Paddington to Taunton take 1 hour and 45 minutes with First Great Western, 0845 700 0125, firstgreatwestern.co.uk, then reach Dunster by taxi, local bus (First Group, 0871 200 2233, firstgroup.com) or by heritage train from Bishops Lydeard (four miles outside Taunton). By car from London take the M4, then at Junction 20 take the M5 and reach Dunster by the A38 and A39. SHOP FOR… Interiors and gifts Hummingbird, 12 Church Street, 01643 821880, sells chic country brands including Emma Bridgewater and Pip Studio, while Chapel House Crafts, 2 West Street, 01643 821364, showcases local crafts, jewellery and homemade preserves. Horse & Crook, 19 High Street, 01643 822191, horseandcrook.co.uk, has new and vintage gifts for home and garden; or find cuddly sheepthemed toys and accessories at Home Coming, 23 High Street, 01643 821589, home-coming.co.uk. Need the time? Head to Harwoods of Dunster, 3 Church Street, 01643 821485, pioneers of the world’s first automatic wristwatch. Artisan produce Who can resist the lure of The Traditional Candy Shop, 2 High Street, 01643
822099, for homemade fudge, traditional sweets and Salcombe ice cream. Dunster Village Shop & Deli, 11 High Street, 01643 822078, has savoury temptations such as Exmoor pasties and West Country ales. TAKE A BREAK… Tessa’s tearooms, The Olde House, 13 High Street, 01643 821231, offers teas and treats in its homely café and leafy garden. Or dine at the relaxed Italian restaurant Hathaway’s of Dunster, 6-8 West Street, 01643 821725, hathawaysofdunster.com. SPEND A WEEKEND… Where to stay Try the relaxed Millstream Cottage B&B, 2 Mill Lane, 01643 821966, millstreamcottagedunster.co.uk, or further afield luxuriate in spa treatments at The Mount Somerset hotel, Lower Henlade, 01823 442500, mountsomersethotel.co.uk. What to do Brave a ghost tour or escape to the serenity of the Dream Garden at historic Dunster Castle, 01643 823004, nationaltrust. org.uk. Marvel at the structure of the Yarn Market, visit St George’s Church, which has the longest rood screen in England, or potter along Gallox Bridge towards the working watermill. Don’t miss the West Somerset Railway, 01643 704996, west-somersetrailway.co.uk, which runs steam and diesel vintage trains. For information on other attractions, check out visitsomerset.co.uk.
Three-bedroom house, £495,000 Grade II listed house in peaceful Old Cleeve with a fitted kitchen, Rayburn oven, pretty gardens and off-road parking. JacksonStops & Staff, 01823 325144, jackson-stops.co.uk.
Three-bedroom farmhouse, £775,000 In Exmoor National Park, this rustic farmhouse in Wootton Courtenay also includes a two-bedroom flat, a Dutch barn and 11 acres of pasture land. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01823 325144, jacksonstops.co.uk.
The skyline is dominated by Dunster Castle; Gallox Bridge (right) once carried packhorses; the Yarn Market (below right) dates from the 17th century.
Property...
ou fav r i
te
our
The town is bursting with charm and architectural character, boasting more than 200 listed buildings from medieval merchants’ houses to wool-makers’ homes.
FEATURE COLUMBA COLIVET ASSISTED BY KATE HUTCHINS Photographs (high street and castle; gallox bridge) COLUMBA COLIVET; (yarn market) david clapp/photolibrary
i
o
d
es
n
rset some t i n at
A postcard from...
Five-bedroom cottage, £295,000 Grade II listed property in the heart of Dunster with exposed beams, wall timbers and an open fireplace. Outside there’s a walled garden and separate studio. Webbers, 01643 706917, webbers.co.uk.
Dunster
WHERE? At the gateway to Exmoor National Park, this pretty Somerset medieval village is well worth a visit. WHY VISIT NOW? Enjoy brisk autumn rambles and witness competitive stag duels on the moorland. GETTING THERE… Fast trains from London Paddington to Taunton take 1 hour and 45 minutes with First Great Western, 0845 700 0125, firstgreatwestern.co.uk, then reach Dunster by taxi, local bus (First Group, 0871 200 2233, firstgroup.com) or by heritage train from Bishops Lydeard (four miles outside Taunton). By car from London take the M4, then at Junction 20 take the M5 and reach Dunster by the A38 and A39. SHOP FOR… Interiors and gifts Hummingbird, 12 Church Street, 01643 821880, sells chic country brands including Emma Bridgewater and Pip Studio, while Chapel House Crafts, 2 West Street, 01643 821364, showcases local crafts, jewellery and homemade preserves. Horse & Crook, 19 High Street, 01643 822191, horseandcrook.co.uk, has new and vintage gifts for home and garden; or find cuddly sheepthemed toys and accessories at Home Coming, 23 High Street, 01643 821589, home-coming.co.uk. Need the time? Head to Harwoods of Dunster, 3 Church Street, 01643 821485, pioneers of the world’s first automatic wristwatch. Artisan produce Who can resist the lure of The Traditional Candy Shop, 2 High Street, 01643
822099, for homemade fudge, traditional sweets and Salcombe ice cream. Dunster Village Shop & Deli, 11 High Street, 01643 822078, has savoury temptations such as Exmoor pasties and West Country ales. TAKE A BREAK… Tessa’s tearooms, The Olde House, 13 High Street, 01643 821231, offers teas and treats in its homely café and leafy garden. Or dine at the relaxed Italian restaurant Hathaway’s of Dunster, 6-8 West Street, 01643 821725, hathawaysofdunster.com. SPEND A WEEKEND… Where to stay Try the relaxed Millstream Cottage B&B, 2 Mill Lane, 01643 821966, millstreamcottagedunster.co.uk, or further afield luxuriate in spa treatments at The Mount Somerset hotel, Lower Henlade, 01823 442500, mountsomersethotel.co.uk. What to do Brave a ghost tour or escape to the serenity of the Dream Garden at historic Dunster Castle, 01643 823004, nationaltrust. org.uk. Marvel at the structure of the Yarn Market, visit St George’s Church, which has the longest rood screen in England, or potter along Gallox Bridge towards the working watermill. Don’t miss the West Somerset Railway, 01643 704996, west-somersetrailway.co.uk, which runs steam and diesel vintage trains. For information on other attractions, check out visitsomerset.co.uk.
Three-bedroom house, £495,000 Grade II listed house in peaceful Old Cleeve with a fitted kitchen, Rayburn oven, pretty gardens and off-road parking. JacksonStops & Staff, 01823 325144, jackson-stops.co.uk.
Three-bedroom farmhouse, £775,000 In Exmoor National Park, this rustic farmhouse in Wootton Courtenay also includes a two-bedroom flat, a Dutch barn and 11 acres of pasture land. Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01823 325144, jacksonstops.co.uk.
