Dunster Castle and Watermill

Important notice -

The outdoor spaces, house, shop and tearoom are open daily. You no longer need to book your visit in advance. If you would like to visit when its quieter, we recommend you arrive after 2pm. Due to poor weather, parking may be limited.

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

More about this place

Exploring the autumnal garden colours at Dunster Castle

Visiting Dunster Castle: what you need to know 

We're looking forward to welcoming you back. If you're planning a visit to Dunster, read this article to find everything you need to know about travelling here, what's open and what to expect from your visit. We've made some changes to our usual offer, to help keep everyone safe.

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Dunster Castle and Watermill

What's on

Dunster Castle and Watermill   Somerset

Open air theatre at Dunster Castle

Join the Three Inch Fools and The Lord Chamberlain's Men as they dust off their costumes and instruments and step back into the great outdoors with three new productions at Dunster Castle this summer.

Open air theatre at Dunster Castle

Upcoming events

Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place.

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Dunster Castle and Watermill

Things to see and do

Robin at Dunster Castle, Somerset

The garden at Dunster Castle 

The result of hundreds of years of planning, building and restoration a walk around the gardens at Dunster Castle takes you around the world and through four different microclimates. Open daily 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm).

Dogs are welcome throughout the year

Bring your dog to Dunster Castle 

Where can our four-legged friends sniff out some treasure (or doggy ice cream) at Dunster Castle? With parkland, the river garden, south terrace and the Keep to explore with your dogs, there's lots for four-legged friends to see.

Summer strolling through the River Garden at Dunster Castle

Fun for the whole family at Dunster Castle 

Whether it’s exploring the River Garden, completing a spotter trail or ticking off some '50 things,' there’s plenty to keep little (and not so little) ones entertained.

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Dunster Castle and Watermill

Eating and shopping

Nymans Foliage and Riverlands collection at the Stables shop, Dunster

Shopping at Dunster Castle and Watermill 

The Stables Shop is open daily 10am-4pm. For the safety of staff and visitors, social distancing measures are in place. It is through your purchases that we are able to continue looking after Dunster Castle, for everyone, for ever.

Two mirrors against a brick wall with some plants next to them

Treat yourself 

Looking for the perfect gift or perhaps you're in need of some retail therapy? You can browse our full range via our online shop. Your purchases and support enable us to continue to care for the nature, beauty and history we all miss.

Woman holding takeaway hot drink

Feeling peckish? 

The Tenant's Hall pop-up cafe is open daily 10am-4pm for hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice creams and light refreshments.

books

Gatehouse Books

At the top of the hill from the stables, you'll find the second-hand bookshop, Gatehouse Books, stocking all sorts of well-read classics and non-fiction, children's stories and holiday reads. Open daily, 10am-4 pm. Please hand sanitise on entry, and only one household group or individual inside at a time. To pay, use the donation box or head to the stables shop to pay by card.

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Dunster Castle and Watermill

Our work

George Clarke in the greenhouses at Tyntesfield

As seen on George Clarke's National Trust Unlocked 

We recently appeared on Channel 4's George Clarke's National Trust Unlocked TV series. Learn more about the show and head behind the scenes to discover what life was like here during lockdown.

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Dunster Castle and Watermill

History

Clear views to Dunster Castle

A medieval castle turned country home 

With 1,000 years of history the castle has plenty of great stories to tell. The last family to live here, the Luttrells, moved in in 1376 and out in 1976, and changed a medieval stronghold into a comfortable family home.

Harnessing the power of the River Avill to produce traditional wholemeal and spelt flour.

A working watermill 

Explore the history of the building and follow the milling process as you virtually journey through three floors of traditional machinery while the watermill is closed.

The early 17th century stables at Dunster Castle

Medieval stables at Dunster Castle 

As one of the earliest-surviving stable blocks cared for by the National Trust, the stable interior at Dunster Castle is complete, with original stalls and unusual hanging partitions.

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Dunster Castle and Watermill

Join or give

Visitors walking in the garden in spring at Belton House, Lincolnshire

Experience more with National Trust membership 

Now more than ever, we all need access to nature, fresh air and open spaces. Become a member today and you can explore more than 500 places. What's more, your membership will go towards looking after nature, beauty and history for generations to come.

Visitors at Dunster Castle, Somerset

We need your support 

For 125 years, people like you have helped us protect some of the UK's best-loved places. Everyone needs nature, beauty and green spaces now more than ever. But our income has dropped sharply due to the coronavirus crisis, and our essential conservation work is at risk. Please give what you can to help us look after these places, so people and nature can thrive.

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