🇬🇧 Exmoor & Dunster

Minehead

Our next stay was Minehead which borders onto Exmoor National Parklands. We once again had a beautiful Airbnb accommodation which would be our base for 5 nights. Our accommodation was decorated with a festive tree, with beautiful big glass windows and a Cindy Doll dressing table. I had miniature furniture just like this as a child for my Cindy doll.

We spent a cool late afternoon exploring the town of Minehead which sits on the coastline.

We stopped at Minehead’s cute heritage railway station. It was all decorated with a warm Christmas feel. This is a huge tourist stop as it is the iconic West Somerset Steam train route. England’s longest heritage railway line from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard.

We were lucky to see the steam train being loaded with coal. We also peeped through the windows of the old carriages.

Minehead’s town was also lit up with festive lights.

Exmoor Ponies

As we drove through the moor lands national park we had hoped to see some wildlife. So we were thrilled to come across these Exmoor ponies grazing on the side of the road. These ponies are not wild as they are owned by someone, but they graze and roam freely on the moor. Even though Exmoor National Park has a big deer population we didn’t spot any.

Discovering Dunster

On our first afternoon at our new Airbnb in Minehead we set out to discover the medieval village of Dunster which dates back to 700AD. It is truly an English village to add to your bucket list. It is said to be the largest and most intact medieval village in England. Dunster is over shadowed by Duster Castle, which is over one thousand years old.

At first sight when entering the Main Street, your eyes are drawn to the Iconic Octagonal Medieval Yarn Market Place. It was built in 1609 and made Dunster into a wealthy town village that prospered on selling broadcloth and homespuns.

A real favourite walk for us was when we followed the village walking map down through the ancient high street, then down into the quaint village and along the water way which lead us to the Castle and Dunster Mill.

This medieval houses contained so many loveable features like this wooden door, old glass windows, deer garden gate and old vintage padlock.

We checked out St. George’s Church which was another world of awe and wonder. This chest is 900 years old.

We walked on the narrow road past stunning timber Tudor houses, crooked doors, ancient narrow fast flowing waterways, and along to the prettiest chocolate box street of thatched roof houses.

We headed down a narrow green lane to look at the cutest stone bridge. Gallox Bridge is a rare medieval packhorse bridge first mentioned in the 15th century. It allowed a link between the pastoral lands and the village of Dunster. It was built to allow horse carts and cattle to cross the stream. This was great for the wool trade.

We visited the renovated stables of Dunster Castle which were beautiful. They were immaculately decorated, and the craftsmanship in the stables showed how talented craftsman used to be.