Journeys 2025
Dunster and Exmoor, Somerset
Churches and Villages in late February
Date
Sunday 23rd February - Saturday 1st March
Nights
6
Cost
£840 per person for 6 nights, dinner bed and breakfast at the hotel, with light lunches provided while out.
Description
Writing in his book "We wander in the West" in 1950, SPB Mais described Dunster as "one of the most picturesque places in England." This remains true. This old village is a mile from Dunster beach, where the holiday chalets seem to be marching in a line towards Minehead. The chalets are 20th century. The village is decidedly ancient. It "consists of one wide street with an ornate yarn market in the middle of it."
Our hotel faces the yarn market. The street is the High Street, which is indeed wide at that point, though it narrows as it twists down the hill, with pre-20th century buildings of all descriptions on both sides. There are also some interesting side-streets, with a mediaeval tithe barn, and St George's church, which has a pleasant set of chimes, and is beautiful inside, the most outstanding feature being an ornately carved rood screen dating from 1499. Dunster is dominated by its castle, on the hill overlooking the town. The castle is owned by the National Trust, but is only open at weekends in the winter.
Walks and Excursions
On Monday morning we make a leisurely walking tour of the village, with its shops and church; we can also visit the castle grounds (but no admission to the castle). In the afternoon we walk via the riverside walkway to Dunster beach, then through the grassy dunes along the beach, with views across the Severn estuary to South Wales, to return by another path; an easy walk of about 3 miles, mainly on the level.
We shall spend the core of the holiday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, in the company of other hotel guests, who will be with us for 3 days of excursions in the hotel minibus, with a guide from the hotel, to visit churches and villages in the area. It is planned to visit 4 villages each day, with lunches taken in village pubs.
On Friday morning we have free time in Dunster, followed by a farewell lunch in the hotel with the other guests, who will depart after lunch. That afternoon, weather permitting, we will walk in the opposite direction to our walk on Monday, southwards, to climb to Gallox Hill and Bat's Castle, which have remains of iron-age hillforts, and from which there are good views, if the weather is clear. This walk will be about the same length as Monday's, some 3 miles, but more strenuous, involving some steep slopes on paths that may be muddy. If the weather is poor, an alternative would be to take the bus into Minehead, where there will be more shelter than up on the hill.
On Saturday, the day of our departure, there are buses from early in the morning, but, if you can stay for the morning, you have the opportunity to visit Dunster castle, which is extensive, and has many interesting things to see. (I plan to depart by bus to the station in the afternoon).
Accommodation
Dinner, bed and breakfast at the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster High Street, from the evening of Sunday 23 February to the morning of Saturday 1 March. The hotel consists of three old houses which are connected by internal passages. It has a charming, old-world feeling about it. There is a small bar, and a good dining room where our meals will be taken. There is also a cosy lounge on the first floor, which we can use freely, and which we can use for prayer each morning and evening.
(Thanks also to the Yarn Market Hotel for the use of images of the area from their website).
Getting there
The nearest main line railway station is Taunton, on the Paddington to Exeter line. It is also well served by cross-country trains from the north via Birmingham and Bristol. From Taunton to Dunster there is a direct bus, service 28 to Minehead, which leaves from the station forecourt off platform 2. On Sunday Feb 23rd, Steve will meet you at the platform 2 entrance to Taunton railway station, in time for us to take the 15.30 bus. If you arrive later, the next, and last, bus leaves at 17.00. If anyone takes the later bus, Steve will meet you from the main road bus-stop for Dunster High Street, to walk you the short distance to our hotel in the High Street. For your return journey on Saturday 1 March, there are buses to Taunton station about half-hourly.
If you come by car, please note that the hotel has no parking. There are some free parking spaces outside the hotel, otherwise there is a pay-and-display car park some five minutes' walk away. The postcode for the accommodation is TA24 6SF.
Contact
Steve Evemy
email: steveevemy@gmail.com
Tel: 07498 571648