Dunster Castle & Gardens
Dunster, near Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6SL
Dunster Castle sits on a steep wooded hill above Dunster village on the edge of Exmoor, with 15 acres of terraced gardens, the National Collection of strawberry trees and a restored watermill.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Dunster Castle & Gardens?
Dunster is a garden made by its hill. The castle stands on the Tor, a steep 200-foot rise above the village, and the gardens wrap around the slopes in terraces and paths, so every turn gives a new view over the village, the coast and the edge of Exmoor. Sheltered terraces below the castle are warm enough for tender planting, which gives parts of the garden a surprisingly southern feel.
The gardens cover about 15 acres and include the National Plant Collection of strawberry trees, Arbutus, so look out for their peeling bark and, later in the year, their red fruit. Paths lead down through wooded ground to the River Avill and on to the restored 18th-century watermill just south of the castle. On top of the hill, the old Upper Ward was levelled in the 18th century as a bowling green, and the Victorian underground reservoir built for the castle and village has been open to visitors since 2016. Look out across the park towards Conygar Tower, a folly built to improve the view.
For gardeners, Dunster shows how much a sheltered, sloping site can grow, and the strawberry tree collection is a good chance to compare different Arbutus side by side before choosing one for home. Be ready for steep paths and steps: the climb is part of the visit, and it is worth taking slowly.
What to see
- The National Plant Collection of strawberry trees, Arbutus.
- Sheltered terraces below the castle with tender planting.
- Woodland and riverside paths down to the River Avill.
- The restored 18th-century castle watermill.
- The Victorian underground reservoir, opened to visitors in 2016.
- Views from the Tor over Dunster village, the coast and Exmoor.
Dunster Castle & Gardens through the year
- spring
- The wooded slopes come into fresh leaf and the sheltered terraces warm up early.
- summer
- The terraces and their tender planting are at their fullest, and the riverside paths are shady and cool.
- autumn
- The strawberry trees carry flowers and red fruit together, and the woods around the Tor turn colour.
- winter
- The evergreen strawberry trees and the views from the Tor give interest on a clear day. Check the National Trust site for winter opening.
The story behind the garden
Dunster has been fortified since late Anglo-Saxon times, and William de Mohun built a Norman castle here by 1086. The Luttrell family bought it at the end of the 14th century and lived here for nearly 600 years. They built a manor house within the castle walls in 1617, and in the 18th century Henry Fownes Luttrell laid out a new approach road, created a 348-acre park south of the castle and built Conygar Tower to improve the view.
In the 1860s and 1870s Anthony Salvin remodelled the castle for George Luttrell, adding the reservoir that supplied water to the castle and village. In 1976 Colonel Sir Walter Luttrell gave the castle and most of its contents to the National Trust. The grounds are Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, and the gardens cover around 15 acres within a much larger parkland.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Visitors who enjoy hillside gardens and views, castle history and a chance to see a National Collection of strawberry trees.
- Getting there
- Dunster Castle is in Dunster village, near Minehead in west Somerset, on the edge of Exmoor.
- Before you go
- Routes include steep gradients, steps and uneven surfaces, so wear sturdy shoes and allow extra time. Check the National Trust website for current opening times for the garden, castle and mill, and for tickets.
Source: Wikipedia: Dunster Castle
Questions about visiting Dunster Castle & Gardens
What is the National Collection at Dunster Castle?
Dunster holds the National Plant Collection of strawberry trees, Arbutus. These evergreen trees have peeling bark and carry flowers and red fruit at the same time in autumn, so that is a good season to see them.
Is Dunster Castle National Trust?
Yes. Colonel Sir Walter Luttrell gave Dunster Castle and most of its contents to the National Trust in 1976. The Trust now runs the castle, gardens, parkland and the restored watermill.
Is Dunster Castle garden steep?
Yes. The castle stands on a steep 200-foot hill called the Tor, and the garden paths include steep slopes, steps and uneven ground. Allow plenty of time and check the National Trust access information before you go.
How big are the gardens at Dunster Castle?
The gardens cover about 15 acres around the castle, and the wider parkland runs to around 684 acres. Most garden visitors combine the terraces with a walk down to the watermill.
Can you visit the watermill at Dunster?
Yes. The restored 18th-century castle watermill sits just south of the castle and is reached by paths through the grounds. Opening times for the mill can differ from the castle and garden, so check first.
Garden features
Location
Dunster, near Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6SL
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