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History of Dunster: from the Anglo-Saxons to the present day

Dunster is a village whose history dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era. Founded around 700 AD, it is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Torre. Located on the northeastern edge of Exmoor National Park, this village in Somerset has preserved a medieval appearance rarely found in England. Today, 863 people live here according to 2021 data, and the number of heritage sites exceeds two hundred.

The first fortifications on Tor Hill appeared in the late Anglo-Saxon period. After the Norman Conquest, William de Mohun built a wooden fortress here in the 11th century, and by the early 12th century a stone shell keep had been erected on the motte. The castle withstood a siege during the Anarchy — the 12th-century civil war — which speaks to its strategic importance.

Dunster Castle: six centuries of the Luttrell family

The heart of the village is Dunster Castle, towering over a 200-foot (60-metre) hill. In the late 14th century, the de Mohun family sold it to the Luttrells, who owned it for over 600 years — until 1976, when the castle passed to the National Trust. Over these centuries, the fortress was transformed from a motte-and-bailey into a 19th-century country house with a Victorian remodelling in 1868–1872 by architect Anthony Salvin.

Inside the castle are unique collections: a copy of the Tudor portrait of Sir John Luttrell by Hans Eworth, leather tapestries depicting scenes of Antony and Cleopatra, the piano of composer Vivian Ellis, and the National Plant Collection of strawberries. The medieval gatehouse from the 13th century is among the oldest in England, and the historic lemon tree in the gardens still delights visitors.

The Yarn Market and the golden age of the wool trade

In the centre of the High Street stands the Yarn Market — an octagonal wooden building dating from 1609. George Luttrell built it to shelter traders during regular markets. The structure has a diameter of 9.4 metres, a slate roof with a central lantern, and a weathervane dated 1647.

In the 12th century, Dunster was a coastal village and the main trading port of Exmoor. When the sea receded, leaving the village about two miles from the coast, the wool trade continued to flourish. "Dunsters" — the local kersey wool fabric with a twill weave — became so well known that in 1607 Parliament passed an Act regulating its production. A Civil War cannonball left a hole in the oak beam — it is still visible today.

Ghosts and legends of the ancient village

Dunster is considered one of the most haunted places in Somerset. The castle is home to ghosts: the "Man in Green" appears in the 17th-century stables, the "Grey Lady" wanders the corridors, and Civil War soldiers still patrol the grounds. Local folklore tells of a fearsome dragon that terrorised the villagers on the hills around the village until a brave knight slew the monster. Some versions of the legend link the dragon to the ancient yew trees in the surrounding area.

Architectural gems: from Conygar Tower to Gallox Bridge

On a hill to the south of the village stands Conygar Tower — a red sandstone folly from 1775. Henry Luttrell commissioned it from architect Richard Phelps. The round tower is 18 metres tall with three storeys, but it never had a roof or floors. The name derives from the medieval words "coney" (rabbit) and "garth" (garden) — a reference to a rabbit warren. In 1997, a survey revealed cracks, and in 2000 the tower was restored.

The narrow 15th-century stone bridge — Gallox Bridge — spans the River Avill near the watermill. It is a packhorse bridge, a scheduled ancient monument. In the centre of the village stands the Butter Cross from the late 14th to early 15th century, with an octagonal base and an inscription from its 1871 restoration.

The Church of St George is an architectural gem. The tower from 1442 was built by John Marrys of Stogursey under contract for 13 shillings and 4 pence per foot of height. The carved wooden rood screen stretches across the entire width of the building — one of the finest in Somerset.

Traditions and festivals: from the May Horse to Dunster by Candlelight

Every year on 1 May, the Minehead Hobby Horse visits Dunster. According to a newspaper from May 1863, the tradition is linked to a shipwreck in Minehead or the appearance of a "ghost ship" without a captain or crew. The horse "dances" through the town and heads to the castle, where it is ceremoniously received.

On Christmas Eve at the Luttrell Arms hotel — the oldest part of which dates from 1443 — an ash faggot is burned. And on the first Friday and Saturday of December, "Dunster by Candlelight" takes place: residents turn off electric lights and light oil lamps and candles, transforming the village into a medieval fairy tale.

The nature of Exmoor and the surrounding area

Dunster is surrounded by the landscapes of Exmoor National Park. Red deer, Exmoor ponies, buzzards, and red kites are just some of the local wildlife. Views of the Bristol Channel and the West Somerset cliffs open up from the surrounding hills. Dunster beach is now about a mile from the village — the sea has receded over the centuries, but the coastline remains picturesque.

The working 18th-century watermill produces wholemeal flour — the National Trust has milled over 18 tonnes of flour since 2014. Independent shops offer local gifts, handmade crafts, and traditional cream teas.

What the cameras show

Dunster webcams online offer views of the village's key landmarks: the High Street with the Yarn Market, the approaches to the castle, Conygar Tower, and the Exmoor surroundings. Watching Dunster via webcam is an opportunity to see medieval architecture in real time, observe village life, and check the weather before your trip. The Dunster live stream is available around the clock — choose a camera and enjoy the atmosphere of one of the best-preserved medieval villages in England.