Dunster Castle and Watermill

Somerset

An ancient castle and comfortable country home with dramatic vistas and subtropical gardens

Dunster Castle, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6NY

Opening times
Prices
See on map

Exterior view of Dunster Castle and Garden in Somerset

M	T	W	T	F	S	S

Open

Closed

Opening times for 14 September 2026
Asset	Opening time
Castle	10:00 - 16:00
Entrance point	10:00 - 16:00
Garden	10:00 - 17:00
Parkland	10:00 - 18:00
Castle refreshments	10:00 - 16:00
Shop	10:00 - 17:00
Watermill	10:00 - 16:00
Watermill tea-room	10:00 - 17:00

Entry and parking is free for National Trust members with a valid membership card, during normal opening hours. Please scan your membership card at our pay and display machines for free parking (or register via the JustPark app). Please show your membership cards at our reception points for free entry.

Car park charges will apply for non-members at £6.50 per vehicle per day, £13 for motor homes. If you do not have coins to pay for parking, you can use the Just Park (location code 80572) or pay via card at our Visitor Reception.

Free parking in designated spaces for Blue Badge holders (subject to availability).

We are unable to take pre-bookings or payments in advance for General Admission. Events outside of normal opening hours will normally require booking via links on event listings.

Admission (until 15 March 2026)
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
Adult (18+)	£19.80	£18.00
Child (5-17) under 5s free	£9.90	£9.00
Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children)	£49.50	£45.00
1 adult, up to 3 children	£29.70	£27.00

Admission (from 16 March 2026)
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
Adult (18+)	£20.90	£19.00
Child (5-17) under 5s free	£10.50	£9.50
Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children)	£52.30	£47.50
1 adult, up to 3 children	£31.40	£28.50

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Bookshop
Café
Car park
This car park uses the JustPark app for member check-in and non-member payments. Please download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and create an account before your visit. You’ll be asked to add payment details, but National Trust members will not be charged for parking. The JustPark code for this property is 80572.
Car park - more information
Cycle parking
Cycle parking is located behind Visitor Reception.
Dogs allowed
Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the castle.
Shop
Tea-room
Toilet
Steep routes with steps and uneven surfaces. Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilets by shop. Mobility scooters for hire.
Explore Dunster Castle's accessibility guides on the AccessAble website
Accessible route and/or map
Accessible toilet
Designated parking
A limited number of blue badge spaces
Drop-off point
A space available should blue badge spaces be unavailable
Induction loop
Powered mobility vehicle available
Ramped access/slopes
Stairclimber
Steps/uneven terrain
Wheelchairs available
Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
Enter from A39 onto the parkland driveway. Car park is 300 yards from the main road.
Parking: £6.50 all day, members free (please scan your card), motor home £13 (space dependent). Car park gates locked at 6pm daily. Our car park is small and parking spaces are limited. In poor weather we may suggest parking in the Dunster Steep village car park. Please check our website before travelling. We cannot guarantee parking for motorhomes. Strictly no caravans or trailers.
Sat Nav: 3 miles south-east of Minehead, off A39. Please use "Directions via Google Maps" at the top of this page or use postcode TA24 6NY and follow the brown signs onto the parkland driveway from the A39. There is no vehicular access from the village via Castle Hill.
By road - more information
By train
The closest train station is Dunster Station (West Somerset Railway) 1 mile (about a 25 minute walk to the entrance).
As a thank you for arriving car-free, enjoy a free hot drink in our cafés when you show a member of our Welcome Team a bus or train ticket with the day’s date on it, or a bike helmet.
Plan your car-free visit to us with Good Journey
By bus
Travel to Dunster by bus for just £2 each way
28/X28/28A - Taunton - Minehead - bus service operated by Buses of Somerset, alight Dunster Steep, ½ mile.

Exmoor Coaster West-bound: Doniford- Watchet- Dunster- Minhead- Porlock- Lynmouth. East-bound: Lynmouth- Porlock- Minehead- Dunster- Watchet- Doniford.

198 - Dulverton - Minehead- bus service operated by Atwest , alight Dunster High Street Newagents (S-bound) or Dunster The Foresters Inn (W-bound).

678 - Dulverton - Minehead - bus service operated by Exmoor Community Bus Association, alight Dunster High Street Newagents (S-bound) or Dunster The Foresters Inn (W-bound).

As a thank you for arriving car-free, enjoy a free hot drink in one of our cafés when you show a member of our Welcome Team a bus or train ticket with the day’s date on it, or a bike helmet.
Plan your car-free visit to us with Good Journey
Cycling
Cycle lane from Minehead to Dunster along A39. Cycle parking is available behind Visitor Reception.
As a thank you for arriving car-free, enjoy a free hot drink in one of our cafés when you show a member of our Welcome Team a bus or train ticket with the day’s date on it, or a bike helmet.
Plan your route to Dunster Castle and Watermill using the CycleStreets journey planner via the bicycle link below (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don't ride on it.)
Cycling - more information
Car-free
We hold the Good Journey Mark for welcoming car-free visitors. Travel a greener way and enjoy a free hot drink when you travel by bus, train or bicycle to us. Plan your journey by train, bus, bike or foot with Good Journey

Planning your visit

Christmas at Dunster

Experience Christmas at Dunster Castle this winter. Wander through seasonally decorated rooms, enjoy crisp winter walks and views from the garden, and browse festive gifts in the Stables Shop. Throughout December, a varied programme of seasonal events, performances and activities offers plenty of reasons to visit again and again. Dunster Castle and Gardens is open at weekends throughout November and December, and every day from 13 December to 3 January (Excluding Christmas Eve & Christmas Day). Extended Christmas opening hours are available: -Every weekend in December -Daily from 19 to 23 December -Daily from 26 December to 3 January On these dates, the Castle, Stables Shop and Tenants' Hall are open until 7pm, with last entry to the Castle at 6.15pm. The Watermill Tearoom, parkland and car park are open daily throughout the season. Please check opening times before your visit.

A child running towards a Christmas tree at Dunster Castle in Somerset

Family Fun at Dunster Castle and Watermill

Looking for a fun family day out this autumn? As the leaves turn golden and the landscape is filled with seasonal colour, Dunster Castle is the perfect place for little explorers and grown-ups alike to enjoy the great outdoors. Crunch through fallen leaves, spot signs of wildlife and discover fascinating stories from the castle's past. With plenty of space to play, explore and enjoy the changing season, there's something to keep the whole family entertained.