southern living The skyline is dominated by Dunster Castle; Gallox Bridge (right) once carried packhorses; the Yarn Market (below right) dates from the 17th century.
Property... The town is bursting with charm and architectural character, boasting more than 200 listed buildings from medieval merchants’ houses to wool-makers’ homes.
Five-bedroom cottage, £295,000 Grade II listed property in the heart of Dunster with exposed beams, wall timbers and an open fireplace. Outside vour there’s a walled garden fa it r e and separate studio. u Webbers, 01643 706917, o
webbers.co.uk. somerset d n e io A postcard from... stinat Dunster
WHERE? 822099, for homemade fudge, traditional At the gateway to Exmoor National Park, this pretty sweets and Salcombe ice cream. Dunster Somerset medieval village is well worth a visit. Village Shop & Deli, 11 High Street, 01643 WHY VISIT NOW? 822078, has savoury temptations such as Enjoy brisk autumn rambles and witness Exmoor pasties and West Country ales. Three-bedroom house, competitive stag duels on the moorland. TAKE A BREAK… £495,000 Grade II listed GETTING THERE… Tessa’s tearooms, The Olde House, 13 High house in peaceful Old Cleeve Fast trains from London Paddington to Taunton take Street, 01643 821231, offers teas and treats with a fitted kitchen, Rayburn 1 hour and 45 minutes with First Great Western, in its homely café and leafy garden. Or dine oven, pretty gardens and off-road parking. Jackson- an d
0845 700 0125, firstgreatwestern.co.uk, then reach at the relaxed Italian restaurant Hathaway’s Dunster by taxi, local bus (First Group, 0871 200 of Dunster, 6-8 West Street, 01643 821725, Stops & Staff, 01823 325144, jackson-stops.co.uk. 2233, firstgroup.com) or by heritage train from hathawaysofdunster.com. Bishops Lydeard (four miles outside Taunton). By SPEND A WEEKEND… car from London take the M4, then at Junction 20 Where to stay Try the relaxed Millstream take the M5 and reach Dunster by the A38 and A39. Cottage B&B, 2 Mill Lane, 01643 821966, r eet og rap h s ( hi g st t SHOP FOR… millstreamcottagedunster.co.uk, or further r a ry d cla pp/p hotolib avi Interiors and gifts Hummingbird, 12 Church afield luxuriate in spa treatments at The Street, 01643 821880, sells chic country brands Mount Somerset hotel, Lower Henlade, including Emma Bridgewater and Pip Studio, while 01823 442500, mountsomersethotel.co.uk.
a r n ma ket ) d Chapel House Crafts, 2 West Street, 01643 821364, What to do Brave a ghost tour or escape to showcases local crafts, jewellery and homemade the serenity of the Dream Garden at historic preserves. Horse & Crook, 19 High Street, 01643 Dunster Castle, 01643 823004, nationaltrust. Three-bedroom farmhouse, 822191, horseandcrook.co.uk, has new and vintage org.uk. Marvel at the structure of the Yarn £775,000 In Exmoor gifts for home and garden; or find cuddly sheep- Market, visit St George’s Church, which has National Park, this rustic themed toys and accessories at Home Coming, the longest rood screen in England, or potter farmhouse in Wootton 23 High Street, 01643 821589, home-coming.co.uk. along Gallox Bridge towards the working Courtenay also includes a two-bedroom flat, a Dutch Need the time? Head to Harwoods of Dunster, watermill. Don’t miss the West Somerset
) COLUMBA COLIVET; (y COLIVET; b r i dg e ) COLUMBA x barn and 11 acres of pasture 3 Church Street, 01643 821485, pioneers of the Railway, 01643 704996, west-somerset- land. Jackson-Stops & Staff, world’s first automatic wristwatch. railway.co.uk, which runs steam and diesel 01823 325144, jackson- Artisan produce Who can resist the lure of vintage trains. For information on other stops.co.uk. ; g allo castle KATE HUTCHINS Pho HUTCHINS BY KATE ASSISTED COLIVET COLUMBA FEATURE The Traditional Candy Shop, 2 High Street, 01643 attractions, check out visitsomerset.co.uk.