Conygar Tower from Dunster Castle walk
Wander through peaceful woodland and discover an impressive folly built by Henry Luttrell to enhance the view from Dunster Castle.
Map
Start:
Dunster Castle Car Park
1
From the National Trust car park head to the back of the parking area with the castle behind you. Go through a wooden gate, signposted “permitted path. Dunster pottery kiln” continue on path straight ahead, up and over the hill until you reach another wooden gate, into Dunster Steep village car park.
2
Follow path straight ahead, passing the traditional sweet shop. Turn left at the road, walking on the pavement. Continue ahead, past the Exmoor National Park centre. Stop at garage number 3 and cross the road, staying left of St Thomas street, following the public footpath sign for Conygar woods. Follow the path as signed up the hill.
3
Once passing through a wooden gate you will come to a T-junction with an option to either follow a shorter “direct” route (left) or a longer “circuit” route (right). Follow the circular route to the right and downhill. The well-trodden path will continue onwards and in a circular motion to the left. After a few hundred yards the path will widen and you will pass a fenced off quarry on your left.
4
Over a slight crest, take a left up a narrow wooded track where signed for crown estate. Having progressed uphill for a couple of hundred yards, you will arrive at a viewpoint with bench where you can observe the Bristol Channel, Butlins, North Hill and, if you’re lucky, the West Somerset Railway in motion. A good time for a pause.
5
Continue straight ahead and uphill, past a rock face and then spiralling to the left, you will come to another T-junction. Take the left, up the hill. You will pass under a large stone archway. Pause for an opportunity to engage with the Coleridge way. Scan QR codes on your smartphone if you can. Continue upwards and climb some steps then keep right and though a dip in the path. The path will meander for another couple of hundred yards.
6
Keep left following the path gradually uphill, past the Douglas Firs. Here you will see Conygar Tower; take time to explore the tower and enjoy the views. When you've finished at the tower, turn around, back the way you came. As the path levels out and once you get back to the Douglas Firs, take the left, sharply downhill.
7
As you begin to see Dunster village from the bottom of the slope, keep left. The village high street and a view of the castle will appear. There is a bench for a pause- a good opportunity for a photo. Continue downhill until you arrive back at the first junction. Go right through the gate, signposted to Dunster Villlage, and retrace your steps until you are opposite the green garages next to the Exmoor National Park Centre.
8
Take an immediate right up the road called 'The Ball' then follow this road past the historic Dunster Tithe Barn, dovecote and church. Once you reach a junction by the church, turn left and follow St George's Street. At the next junction, by a former chapel, turn right and follow the road for about 100 yards before turning left down Mill Lane.
9
Continue walking down Mill Lane. Here is a great opportunity for refreshment at the newly-refurbished Watermill Tearoom. Once you have enjoyed a hot drink or bite to eat, turn left out of the tearoom and take a footpath to the left signposted to Gallox Bridge. At the end of this path, turn left again and walk past the pretty thatched cottages and cross Gallox Bridge.
10
Over the Gallox Bridge, turn left and follow the path over a small wooden bridge. Continue on this path which, after a couple of hundred yards, will take you over a bridge and through a wooden gate back into Dunster Castle's parkland. Follow the diagonal path to your left through the parkland and back to the car park.
End:
Dunster Castle Car Park