Dunster Castle and Village Circular Walk
Explore the medieval village of Dunster, with its superb architecture and houses dating back over 800 years. The route takes in impressive views of Dunster Castle and offers plenty of opportunities for rest and refreshment.
Map
Start:
Dunster Castle Car Park
1
Begin near the top of Dunster Castle car park (by visitor reception). Go through a kissing gate just below the picnic area and follow the path to your right, heading towards the corner of the field.
2
Go through the gate in the corner of the field and turn left over the bridge. Continue to follow the path ahead, keeping the River Avill to your right, until you come to Gallox Bridge, also on your right.
3
Walk over Gallox Bridge and continue up the road until you reach a small car park on the right next to a path signed as Mill Gardens. Follow this path and turn left where it meets Mill Lane, then carry on to the end of the lane where it meets a busier road. If you would like to visit the Watermill Tearoom, turn right at the end of Mill Gardens and walk about 50 yards. Once you have finished in the tearoom, turn left and continue up Mill Lane to rejoin the walk.
4
Turn right onto West Street, a larger road with a pavement. Walk along the pavement until you see a former chapel on your left. Take care to cross the road then take the road on your left by the chapel, which is called St George's Street.
5
Continue up St George's Street, walking past a row of pretty cottages. Turn right when you come to a road signed Priory Green, where you have a school on your left and the church on your right. If you would like to visit the church you can do so at this step but there is also the opportunity to later on in the walk.
6
Follow Priory Green as it meanders through Dunster village, take time to enjoy the historic Tithe Barn and dovecote on your way past. At the end of the road, cross the road and turn right onto Dunster High Street.
7
Taking care on the road, continue onto Dunster High Street. Here you can spend time exploring Dunster's shops and cafes as well as the Grade I listed Yarn Market. Once you have finished, follow the High Street round to the right past some traffic lights, and carry on up the road, where you will find the pretty Village Garden and another way into the church.
8
Once you have explored the garden and church, continue on Church Street until you see the former chapel you walked past earlier, which will now be ahead of you. Here, turn left onto a road signposted to 'Historic Village Centre via Castle', which has a wooden gate at the end.
9
Go past the wooden gate and walk up the slight hill. You will come to the Dunster Castle ticket office, where you will find toilets, the National Trust shop, and entrance to the gardens and castle (please see our website for opening times). When you are ready, continue straight ahead through a set of wooden bollards to curve back to the car park.
End:
Dunster Castle Car Park