Dunster Village

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Dunster Village

Dunster Info FAQ

Here we are going to ask any Frequently Asked Questions about Dunster Village you may have.

Most of these have been taken from Google but some have been asked on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. If you have any questions you’d like us to answer please contact us on social media.

With over 30 independent shops, tea rooms, pubs and restaurants, Dunster Castle and a long list of historic buildings and monuments and Dunster Beach and Dunster Railway Station, Dunster is definitely a place you should visit!

Yes Dunster has a beach and it is approx 1.3 miles from Dunster Village and is a beautiful but challenging walk!

The people of Dunster were famous for making thick wool called Dunster. In the early 17th century, this wool work expanded to a Yarn Market, but in the 18th century, the wool trade of Dunster declined as the business shifted to other parts of the Country.

Dunster Castle was built on the hilltop to protect the village from invaders arriving in the region via sea route. In 1066, Norman invaders defeated the English forces in the battle of Hastings. The Norman commander William de Mohun (Moion) le Viel (the elder) was granted fifty-five West Country manors including Dunster.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot “The Cornish Mystery” (Season 2, Episode 4) was filmed in Dunster, with famous detective Hercule Poirot on the case of a new mystery! Many of the landmarks can be seen in this episode like The Yarn Market, Dunster Castle, The Luttrell Arms and Chapel House on West Street.

No one lives in Dunster Castle anymore, it is purely a tourist attraction managed by The National Trust.

Dunster Castle is now one of the most famous tourist destinations in England and it is owned and regulated by the National Trust.

Dunster Estate was owned by The Luttrell Family for 21 generations and over 600 years but now owned by The National Trust.

Dunster Beach is approximately 1.3 miles from Dunster Village, accessible by car, bike or by foot.
Dunster is a medieval Village which sits on the north-eastern fringe of Exmoor National Park is overlooked by the stunning Dunster Castle and just 2.5 miles from Minehead.
Dunster is most noticed for Dunster Castle or Dunster Yarn Market but there is so much more to discover in Dunster! Such as Dunster Water Mill, The Dovecote and Dunster Tithe Barn, Conygar Tower, Bats Castle high on Exmoor too! The packhorse “Gallox Bridge” crossing the River Avill, Dunster Kiln, Englands Tallest Tree
The earliest records of civilization and settlement in Dunster dates back to 700 AD. The village was mentioned for the first time in the Doomsday Book that was composed about two decades after the Norman Conquest.
Dunster beach is approx 1.3 miles from Dunster Village, accessible by car, bike or on foot

The walks around around Dunster Castle are varied and can be quite steep it isn’t suitable for everyone. To go around inside would take about 1-2 hours.

After the death of John de Mohun in 1376, his wife Joan decided to sell the Dunster Castle to Elizabeth Luttrell, the head of the rich Norman Luttrell family at that time. She sold the castle for 5000 marks agreeing to transfer the ownership post her death.

The Luttrell family then lived in Dunster Castle for 600 years and 21 generations until 1976!

Yes, Dunster Castle has a café that is open daily from 11am-3pm, serving hot & cold drinks, ice creams and light refreshments.

Dunster Castle is a former motte and bailey castle and now is a country house, in the village of Dunster, Somerset.

Dunster Castle was owned by The Luttrell Family for 21 generations and just over 600 years!

Dogs are welcome throughout the year at Dunster Castle and Watermill, just not inside the Castle itself.
You can find fully accessible toilets and shower blocks at the beach site.
Dogs are allowed on Dunster Beach all year round
Dunster Beach is a private site of 230 chalets.
In 1965, 230 chalet owners formed a not-for-profit limited company and purchased the 41-a site.
Dunster beach is accessible on foot and is 1.5 miles along the coast path from Minehead.
Yes, you can find fully accessible toilets at the beach.

Yes you have to pay for parking at Dunster Beach, there are two machines at each end of the car park, one just takes cash the other takes card and phone payments.

Dunster is open to visit all day and evening but Dunster Castle usually opens 10am and most shops open from 9am.

Yes you can, dogs are welcome all around Dunster Castle grounds but unfortunately not inside the Castle itself. 

Yes you can walk around Dunster Castle and see inside, it usually takes up to 2 hours and is well worth it!

We have created a page for this, see it here – Xxx

Yes, there is so much history of this beautiful village. From Dunster Castle to The Yarn Market, lots of independent shops and restaurants plus a range of events all year round you really need to discover Dunster!

Unfortunately you can’t get married at Dunster Castle, however you can at The Priory Church of St George in Dunster and Dunster Tithe Barn is perfect to host the reception afterwards.

Prices for Dunster Castle are Adult £16, Child £8, Family £40 and 1 adult, up to 3 children £24 . Full prices and information can found here – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/dunster-castle-and-watermill

No one lives in Dunster Castle anymore as it’s purely a tourist attraction managed by The National Trust.

Yes, Dunster Train Station is near to Dunster Beach and you can travel one stop to Minehead or in the other direction to Blue Anchor or further to Bishops Lydeard.

Entry and parking to Dunster Castle is free for National Trust members with a valid membership card during normal opening hours.

Dunster is located in Somerset, West Somerset to be precise. It lies on the edge of Exmoor National Park and 1.5 miles from Dunster Beach on the Bristol Channel.

Prices for Dunster Castle are Adult £16, Child £8, Family £40 and 1 adult, up to 3 children £24 . Full prices and information can found here – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/dunster-castle-and-watermill

Dunster Castle was initially created as a Norman Fortress built by William de Mohun, but later, this castle was passed to The Luttrell family. It was later transformed into a Victorian country house by The Luttrell family. Later, this village started to grow and turned into a small town. Its market began to grow, and its trade business grew more and more with time. Dunster seems to be a small village, but it is enough for a limited population, people living there are only in the hundreds. In the early 17th century, this wool work expanded to a Yarn Market, but in the 18th century, the wool trade of Dunster declined as the business shifted to other parts of the Country. Still, it remained a busy town, and even at that time, there were butchers, blacksmiths, saddlers, tailors, carpenters, etc. Dunster railway station is located near the beach and this was opened in 1874. However, it was closed in 1971 that was reopened in 1976. This is run by West Somerset Railway. Today, Dunster village is a trendy and ideal place for tourists to visit. There’s a Yarn Market, Tithe Barn, a wealth of listed buildings and of course a captivating castle. Dunster Castle, was constructed in the 12th century, altered in the 17th century, and later rebuilt in 19th century by an architect Anthony Salvin. In 1976, the castle was handed over to The National Trust to mange.

Yes, you have to pay for Dunster Castle. Prices for Dunster Castle are Adult £16, Child £8, Family £40 and 1 adult, up to 3 children £24 . Full prices and information can found here – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/dunster-castle-and-watermill

There is a designated area situated close to the Kiosk and Toilet Block A in the public car park, this is the only area that can be used for barbecues.

The population of Dunster in 2014 was recorded at 817.

Dunster has very limited free parking as most parking spaces are reserved for residents and hotel guests with permits. There are two public car parks in the village, Dunster Steep and Park Street. For more information see our Parking in Dunster page.

Dunster Beach is a large private sand and shingle beach and is 1.3 miles from Dunster Village.
Dunster Village is a medieval market Village which sits on the north-eastern fringes of Exmoor National Park and is located 2.5 miles (4 km) southeast of Minehead.
In 2018 and 2019 the EA classed Dunster Beach as sufficient but there is no data for 2020.
Dunster Show the gates open at 8am.

The 175th Dunster Show is taking place 18th August 2023

Dunster Beach site facilities include a laundry room, ​a kiosk for ice creams and takeaway food, fully accessible toilet and shower blocks, a tennis court, picnic and BBQ areas and by the kiosk in the main car park is the mini golf course.
Dunster by Candlelight takes place every year on the first Friday and Saturday of December, so this year it will be Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December 2023.
Yes, Dunster by Candlelight is paid for by the Traders of Dunster in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset. As well as Street collections every £1 from the sale of the programmes goes to the Hospice.
The gates open at 8.30am and the fair starts at 10.00am

See our Events page to find all of the Dunster Events running in 2023

Dunster Country Fair will take place on Wednesday 26th July 2023

Parking at Dunster Beach costs £1.30 for 1 hour or £5.80 for all day parking. For more information see our Parking in Dunster page.

There are two in the village, Dunster Steep and Park Street. For more information see our Parking in Dunster page.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot “The Cornish Mystery” (Season 2, Episode 4) was filmed in Dunster, with famous detective Hercule Poirot on the case of a new mystery! Many of the landmarks can be seen in this episode like The Yarn Market, Dunster Castle, The Luttrell Arms and Chapel House on West Street.

What to see in Dunster

From the iconic Dunster Castle, The Yarn Market to hidden gems like the Pottery Kiln and Lovers Bridge.

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Eat in Dunster

Whether you are after a Sunday roast, a cream tea for lunch, just a light bite we have you covered for all food in Dunster.

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Dunster Castle Shop

Shop in Dunster

Every shop offers something different and you are never short of ideas for gifts to bring back from your holiday in Dunster!

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Dunster
Dunster
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