Somerset

Dunster Castle and Village circular walk

Dunster Castle from the parkland | © James Aitken

Explore the medieval village of Dunster, with its impressive architecture and houses dating back over 800 years. The route also takes in memorable views of Dunster Castle, while offering plenty of opportunities for rest and refreshment.

Near to

Dunster Castle and Watermill

Start point

Dunster Castle Car Park

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.4 (km: 2.24)

Duration 45 mins

Dog friendly**

*Steep in places, with steps, slopes and uneven surfaces. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs welcome across the site on short leads. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Address
Dunster Castle Car Park, Dunster, Minehead TA24 6NY
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Dunster Station (West Somerset Railway), 1 mile.
By bus
28 - Taunton-Minehead - service operated by Buses of Somerset, alight Dunster Steep, ½ mile.
Exmoor Coaster westbound: Doniford-Watchet-Dunster-Minehead-Porlock-Lynmouth. Eastbound: Lynmouth-Porlock-Minehead-Dunster-Watchet-Doniford.
198 - Dulverton-Minehead - service operated by Atwest, alight Dunster High Street newsagents (S-bound) or Dunster Foresters Inn (W-bound).
678 - Dulverton-Minehead - bus service operated by Exmoor Community Bus Association, alight Dunster High Street newsagents (S-bound) or Dunster Foresters Inn (W-bound).
Cycling
Cycle lane from Minehead along A39.
By road
Sat-nav: 3 miles south-east of Minehead, off A39. Use postcode TA24 6NY and follow the brown signs onto the parkland driveway from the A39. Car park 300 yards from the main road. Car park is small and parking spaces limited. In poor weather we may suggest parking in the Dunster Steep village car park. Please check our website before travelling.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Dunster Castle Car Park
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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 Tea-room (National Trust owned), turn right at the end of Mill Gardens and walk about 50 yards. Once you've finished in the tea-room, turn left and continue up Mill Lane to rejoin the walk.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 7
Taking care on the road, continue onto Dunster High Street. Here you can spend time exploring the village's shops and cafes as well as the Grade I listed Yarn Market. Once you've 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.
Stage 8
Once you've 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.
Stage 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. When you are ready, continue straight ahead through a set of wooden bollards to curve back to the car park.
End point
Dunster Castle Car Park
Trail map
Dunster Castle and Village circular walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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A view of the approach to Conygar Tower with the tower in the middle and surrounded by trees

Trail

Conygar Tower from Dunster Castle walk

Enjoy a circular wander through tranquil woodland and discover an impressive folly built by Henry Luttrell to enhance the view from Dunster Castle.

A winter view over Exmoor from Grabbist Hill with tall conifers to the right and a footpath at the bottom

Trail

Grabbist Hill from Dunster Castle walk

Enjoy this scenic walk to Grabbist Hill from Dunster Castle, which passes through ancient woodland and offers panoramic views over the surrounding area.