There is so much to explore on the garden's slopes. Discover the riverside garden, the Mediterranean styled terrace, and over 1,000 trees. Enjoy walks in the surrounding parkland.
A few selected highlights:
A bridge built for two
© English Heritage
Two's company, and three's definitely a crowd, in one sheltered spot of the garden at Dunster. The Mill Walk, which follows the bubbling River Avill, brings you to the secluded Lovers Bridge. It was designed with purely two people in mind, as you'll find out if you try its snugly-fitting seat.
The stone and brick bridge was built in the 1700s. From the seat, you'll enjoy views across parkland on one side and the lush, tropical planting of the garden on the other, with Gunnera, bamboo, tree ferns and a Handkerchief Tree.
Strawberries, on trees?
© National Trust / Gary Webb
Strawberries with a head for heights? The perfect complement to cream is found in the air rather than on the ground at Dunster. The castle's gardeners care for the National Collection of Arbutus, a beautiful glossy evergreen plant commonly known as the Strawberry Tree.
The Strawberry Trees cling to the steep southern slopes of the garden and you can see them along the Arbutus Walk. The fruit is best seen in October and November. It takes a year to grow and uniquely appears at the same time as the next year's flowers. And yes, the fruit is edible but rather bitter.
Oranges and lemons
© National Trust / Gary Webb
Lemon growing has been a big part of Dunster's gardening tradition for at least 250 years. Dunster's gardeners still grow citrus fruits along the sunny South Terrace, including oranges, lemons and grapefruits. Look out for the ‘lemon’ frame where the 'heir' to the famous Dunster lemon is bearing fruit.
Guests once arrived at the castle along the South Terrace by horse and carriage. It's now a little oasis of calm with a lawn and flower beds crammed with sun loving plants. The circular pond with its elegant swan fountain supplies a soothing trickle of water and the Orangery has a seat for weary limbs.
Gone but not forgotten
© National Trust / Gary Webb
The Luttrells clearly loved their pets. Bickey, Morag, Cherry, Roger and Bessie, together with other once adored animals belonging to the family of the castle, are fondly remembered in the Pet Cemetery tucked away in a secluded wooded glade.
Budgies lie next to dogs along the two rows of miniature graves. Jo, 'beloved budgie', rests next to Jo II and across the path there's a touching epitaph to 'My most beloved Jenny Wren for 16 years the devoted companion'.
Room with a view
© National Trust / Gary Webb
It's a steep climb to the top of the garden, but one full of rewards. At the highest point is the slightest of rooms with the finest of views. The octagonal summerhouse glories in bird's-eye views of the castle below with rolling hills and the coast beyond.
The oval lawn here is a welcome flat space to relax on after your toil up the hill; bring a rug, lie back and admire the deep herbaceous borders that encircle you. Or stretch your legs some more and take in the 360-degree panorama of coast and countryside. It's hard to believe that the castle's inhabitants once fled here for refuge during sieges.
|
