Family Fun at Dunster Castle and Watermill

Published:: 22 January 2024

Visitors walking in the grounds of Dunster Castle with trees either side — Visitors walking in the grounds of Dunster Castle | © National Trust Images/ Chris Lacey

There's plenty for everyone to see, do and enjoy at Dunster Castle and Watermill. Find out everything you need to plan your family day out, from joining us for events and activities for kids, to where to find the play areas.

Planning your family visit

Baby changing facilities available
Free entry for under 5s
Accessible toilets available
The play area in the River Gardens is open
Picnicking is allowed throughout the groups with a dedicated picnic area near the car park
Buggy friendly routes around the gardens
Hip carrying infant seats available to borrow in the house
Children's menu available at the Watermill Tearoom
Pocket money friendly gifts and children's books available in the Stables Shop
Children's books available in the second hand book shop.

Autumn Fun

See out the summer and enjoy the seasons changing with a family visit to us this autumn.

Come back week on week and watch the garden change as summer green gives way to fiery reds, vibrant oranges and rich golds. As the weather changes, embrace the fun of puddle jumping, go nature spotting, and let off some steam in the River Garden’s natural play area. Discover the garden through story with the Trail of Tales, available to pick up for £2 from Visitor Reception.

Head indoors and grab one of our free family Castle Explorer trails and enjoy the castle from a new perspective, with fun activties along the way. Settle down on the comfy sofas and play some games in the Morning Room, try on costumes and discover different times periods through history in the Hat Room.

An adult and children explore inside the working watermill at Dunster Castle, Somerset — Visitors inside Dunster Castle's watermill | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

Family-friendly things to do in the house at Dunster Castle

Grab one of our family Castle Explorer trails and enjoy the castle from a new perspective, with fun activities on the way.
Settle down on the comfy sofas and play some games, getting a real feel for what it would've been like for the Luttrell family to live at Dunster Castle in the Morning Room.
Try on costumes and discover different time periods through history in the Hat Room.
See conservation in action inside the castle.

Family-friendly things to do in the garden at Dunster Castle

Let off some steam in the play area in the River Gardens, have a go at balancing on the logs, make music with the wooden xylophone and have a game of Pooh Sticks in the river.
Explore the history in the gardens with our Trail of Tales.

Family-friendly things to do in Dunster Working Watermill

Discover how the mill works and watch our friendly millers turn the wheels.
Watch flour being made, and even buy a bag to make your own bread at home. Milling is usually every Wednesday from 11am to about 3pm, but get in touch if you'd like to make sure.
Get hands on and make your own flour with our model quern.