Christmas at Dunster Castle

We have something for everyone this Christmas inside the castle and in the gardens. Visit us to soak up the festive atmosphere and make Dunster Castle a part of your Christmas traditions.

Parkland, Tea-room & Shop

Enjoy the winter views by heading up to Conygar Tower, Bat’s Castle or Grabbist Hill from the car park. Complete your stroll with a festive treat from the Watermill Tea-room and inspiring gift ideas in the Stables shop.

Open daily. 10am – 4pm.

Festive Lunch at the Watermill Tearoom 

The festive lunch menu is available from 6-10 December and 13-19 December. Pre-booking is essential. Please call 01643 823046 or email dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.

The menu is as follows: 

To start

Mushroom and thyme pate £5.25

Warm cheese fondue pot £4.95

Honey roast swede soup £4.95

Main course

Turkey Christmas lunch with all the trimmings £12.95

Vegan festive lunch (mushroom roll– please check with the team) £11.95

Dessert

Christmas pudding £4.45

Sticky toffee pudding £3.95

Millionaires pot £3.25

Please speak to a member of our team if you have any dietary requirements and we will be happy to advise you.

Dunster Castle Watermill Tearoom Christmas Menu 2021 (PDF / 0.4MB) download

A Country Christmas

Experience a cosy castle, decorated for a family Christmas as the Luttrells enjoyed when they were in residence. Take in the spectacularly decorated trees and spot our friendly knitted creatures hiding in the rooms.

4, 5, 11, 12, 18 – 23, 26 – 31 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan

Child at Dunster Castle, Somerset
Child at Dunster Castle, Somerset
Child at Dunster Castle, Somerset

Percy the Park Keeper

We are inviting you to embark on Percy the Park Keeper’s winter trail at Dunster Castle. Give nature a helping hand by joining Percy and his friends on their tasks around the garden. £2 per trail, no booking required. Normal admission applies.

4, 5, 11, 12, 18 – 23, 26 – 31 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan

Watermill

Come and see the working watermill where flour is milled every week. Explore the history of the building and follow the milling process through three floors of traditional machinery. Treat yourself or purchase a gift of some Dunster Watermill flour, porridge or even a bag of seasonal muesli (while stocks last).

4, 5, 11, 12, 18 – 23, 26 – 31 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan

Exploring outside this Christmas

The shop and parkland are open daily. At weekends and during school holidays, visitors can enjoy seasonal strolls around the garden, including the Percy the Park Keeper™ trail for families, and visit the castle before warming up with a hot drink in the Tenants' Hall café. 

Evening sun at Dunster Castle

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 every weekend 10am-4pm (last entry 3pm).

Dog walking on a lead

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 (leading to many wider walks), the river garden, south terrace and the Keep to explore with your dogs, there's lots for four-legged friends to see.

A visitor's hand holding a National Trust takeaway coffee cup

Feeling peckish? 

The Watermill tea-room is open daily from 10am-4pm. Tenants' Hall pop-up café is open every weekend from 10.30am-3pm for hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice creams and light refreshments.

Find out more