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6 Guests
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3 Bedrooms
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2 Bathrooms
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Pets Yes
Features
- Four poster bed
- Off road parking
- Ground floor accommodation
- Ground floor bedroom
- Open fire
- Garden / Patio
- Cot available
- Highchair available
- Pub/shop < 1 mile
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
51 Customer Reviews
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"Lovely property, warm and homely."
We had a great time and absolutely loved the property, it had everything we needed and more. For 6 adults it was the perfect space for us to relax and catch up. 2 from the Midlands, 3 from Kent, 1 from Taunton. We mostly stayed in and enjoyed each other’s company and we really didn’t want to leave. We will definitely be returning in the future for our group catch ups. A few of us met the owner and she was lovely and so friendly.
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"A nice property and a good location to start the SWCP walks."
Value for money A bit of a clean and general maintenance would not hurt, but overall comfortable
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"Lovely quirky historical building (with historical furniture as well)."
Plenty of space. Good internet connection. On bus route for Exmoor Tourer. Easy walking distance to Dunster old town and riverside path in the opposite direction. Welcoming bottle of wine awaiting us when we arrived. Bin collection details need to be put in prominent place and guest information book needs updating. All in all - a very enjoyable holiday.
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"Lovely stay, ideal spot to explore the area, quiet, comfortable for 4 adults and 2 kids, kitchen was nicely equipped had everything we needed."
Would have happily stayed longer.
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"We enjoyed our stay here again."
We were pleased to were that the water damage in the upper hallway has been repainted and the kitchen has been restocked. There were some ants in the lounge which managed to get in around the window. The property is well situated off a main road s short walk from the castle and Dunster town with major supermarkets a few minutes drive in Minehead. There is plenty to do with our dog and didn’t get though the list of possible walks within a week
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"Lovely stay here, booked very last minute and it was all ready for us when we arrived."
Very spacious and ideal for what we needed!
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"I don't know how often you go & look round these properties before you advertise them through your company."
3 old police house Dunster. (931999)Need's a lot of repairs doing to it . Some of the sockets in the kitchen didn't work, the paint work was peeling off most of the widows and most didn't open. The sofa needs replacing because when you sit on it you go through to the floor & the quilt in front bedroom had large stains on it there was food left in the freezer. The garden was very over grown & out side furniture was unusable as there were no cushions & the table and chairs were filthy. It's the 1st time we used Sykes but very disappointed. My son writes for a paper & Feel's other people thinking of booking with Sykes should know what they might be getting.
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"Fabulous house, loved the period features and just a short walk to the shops and pubs in Dunster."
Easy parking and lots of local dog walks - particularly enjoyed the beach/coast walk to Minehead. Ideal for cosy nights in too, with wine (thank you) and Indian/Chinese takeaway from nearby Alcombe. Only thing I would change is have the log burner in the sitting room rather than the bedroom, but overall a great base to explore the local area from and we would definitely stay here again.
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"Before you go to the Old Police House in Dunster, make sure that all the problems have been addressed - and how they do that I don't know."
It's the challenge we have issued to the owners and Sykes. In 2022 the property had very good reviews but 2023 it seemed to all go wrong. In essence many of the previous reports of 2023, particularly August and September still rang true in December when we went. We were confronted by a grease caked oven (roll on Christmas dinner) and unacceptable areas of mould. Thankfully we made contact with the owner and they got hold of the cleaners to come in and degrease the oven and clean some of the mould off the walls and replace light bulbs (although we dusted the chandeliers!) Some minor items had improved, plenty of cutlery, glasses, new roasting tin and even a colander.) . Some of the walls need redecorating, chipped dado rails need painting and the lounge furniture needs either cleaning, recovering or replacing. The carpet seemed new and clean. The kitchen and main bathroom are modern (save for the grease and mould!!). The heating is good and the main bedroom was comfortable for us. The linen is contract linen and was clean and comfortable (although the cleaners should have removed some of the previous occupants laundry). While the property description includes a wood fire in a downstairs bedroom 'with the first basket of logs provided free' the owner commented 'we haven't done that in years!' . So the description may not be relied upon!! The owner and Sykes have made noises about getting their act together. The property has all the promise of being rather special. However, how you get an assurance that everything has been sorted is not clear. If they offer us a free weekend with every expectation that we can give it a clean bill of health - you'll be hearing from us!
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"Property in much need of attention both in cleaning and equipment."
House is well situated and Dunster is beautiful. However the negatives outweigh any positives (just read previous comments) The garden which could be a lovely place to sit out on an evening was totally overgrown and patio covered in weeds. Sykes of no help getting a refund and negate any responsibility for listing this home This house could be lovely but needs an owner to take responsibility for it.
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"There are a few positives about this property; the location is very good for Dunster and local beaches."
It is a lovely building and the upstairs is spacious, garden is lovely. However, I am a surprised that Sykes use this property as a rental as there are many negatives and we were definitely overcharged for the week we spent there. There is mould in both the shower room and bathroom (I took photos which I will send to Sykes, why aren't you checking properties you rent out?) We were two families with four children, this is unacceptable. There was a damp patch on the landing wall, a patch of plaster missing in the kitchen. This is general maintenance that should be completed by the property owners and Sykes should be checking the properties are acceptable for people to stay in. There was not enough bedding for six people so we had to ask for more, there were not enough glasses, bowls, plates for six people. There was only one tea towel, no oven gloves, which is dangerous. There is a washing machine but no clothes airer to hang clothes and only five pegs for the washing line. The cupboard over the sink in the shower room is situated so you hit your head. The sofa and chairs in the lounge were really uncomfortable and dirty and the whole house smelt of dog when we arrived. It also needed updating generally, it was tired and unloved. The house was clean on the surface but there were cobwebs in every room. It needs a thorough update and clean. Some of these issues have been mentioned in previous reviews and in the guest book in the house. Yet the owners have ignored feedback and just taken more money from guests. Unacceptable. We have stayed in many lovely properties throughout the UK and this is the worst we have experienced and I'm disappointed that Sykes are marketing it.
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"The house was nice, in a good location (although it sits on the A39 but with the extra glazing installed it wasn’t a problem."
The place is in need of some upkeep/maintenance, the kitchen had no kitchen towels, only 2 cereal bowls and 3 side plate’s with 2 juice glasses. So trying to set the table for 6 was a struggle. There was only 1 pan for 6 people and this was awful to cook with as there was no Teflon left on the pan. The garden needs tiding up also. We only had beds made for 5 people and we had to search for some more linen..meaning there was only five towels( no bath towels) and only 2 toilet rolls too. we did enjoy our stay and if the things mentioned above were addressed we would stay again.
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"We had a comfortable stay however we feel there were a few things lacking in the kitchen that made cooking difficult, including no cheese grater, not enough bowls and badly placed plug sockets that prevented us from using them."
On the plus side the beds were really comfortable and the property was relatively clean, we could however smell a slight smell of dog when first entering. On the whole we enjoyed our stay and would stay again, it’s an ideal place to explore the local area and at a good price.
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"Cottage was extremely comfortable and in a lovely position."
Everything was there that we needed. Only thing that was missing that would have been useful was a colander to strain vegetables. Would definitely return again.
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"Didn't get off to a good start as there was an overpowering smell of previous doggy guests."
Perhaps some diffusers would help as couldn't fathom how to open the windows to freshen the place up. Lack of homely touches I.e no ornaments, clocks, etc. The house seemed unloved and tired. The kitchen was pleasant to work in but as previously mentioned no oven gloves., only one tea towel, toaster didn't work, the bin lid was broken and no dishwasher tablets left. Just about adequate for the two of us but would struggle at full capacity. On the plus side the location was good for exploring the area , parking was good and garden was pleasant. Attractive building from the outside We have to say that we've stayed in better with yourselves over the years.
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"The property was wonderful."
It was full of signs that this was a much loved home, not just a holiday rental. We loved the quality of the fittings, the layout of the house, with the half landing with the extra bathroom. Also, the beautiful doors, the lovely quality kitchen. Dunster itself is a lovely place; we loved the ford at the far end of the village, and the walk through the castle grounds along the river, back towards the main road and home. its also convenient for the beach, the steam train, Blue Anchor, Watchet and shopping in Minehead We felt so lucky to be able to stay here for a few days, and look forward to hopefully being able to stay again
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"Lovely building, we had a fab stay in a spacious comfortable house."
Very close to Dunster high street and Minehead also within easy walking distance so great to leave the car behind. Everything you need is provided and many thanks for the wine on arrival,it was much appreciated
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"Lovely looking building from the outside and quirky interior, being an old police station, comfy beds and lovely bathroom."
Unfortunately the cleanliness was not the best, under the sofa cushion was very dirty and a tap in the kitchen was dripping constantly (something that has been brought up in a previous review). The kitchen was lacking in some utensils, including a corkscrew! Just seems like it needs a facelift the it would be 5 star feedback.
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"We enjoyed our stay at the Holiday cottage, nice location and very spacious."
Just to mention some of the cleaning was not up to standard, still had a Christmas tree in the dining room and the child gate was broken. Lots of matted dog hair in the carpet which the vacuum cleaner had problems lifting.The tap in the kitchen needs some attention as it was dripping constantly. Did try texting one of the mobile numbers to inform someone but was informed that it was a wrong number . But it was still a nice comfortable stay and would definitely book again.
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"Lovely property, unfortunately there had been a leak in the roof and the ceiling over the stairs had fallen in when we arrived."
Without much alternative (we were offered another cottage nearby but this was not suitable for us) we stayed. The mess was cleared the following day by the cleaners and then there was a visit by the roofer. This said we had a lovely stay and would stay there again (if the roof has been fixed). We left the property 6 weeks ago and no sign of the promised partial refund as yet.
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"Really easy to collect keys."
All information was provided in the books, including things to do locally. Beds were comfy and house was very clean - with a free bottle of wine - what a lovely addition!
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"Lovely comfortable house,great location and plenty of space."
Lots of character and great that it was suitable for dogs.We went in November,But can imagine it would be even more fantastic in the warmer months.Had a lovely time and would definately come again.
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"There were no oven gloves, which is a hazard and must be fixed."
The batteries in the heating remote control were dead (we replaced them). The kitchen has many pan lids that are missing handles and the handles should be fixed/replaced. We were left only a couple rolls of toilet paper, one dishwasher tablet, and one tea towel. This is really poor.
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"We had a great weekend stay in this characterful house."
Great location half way between Dunster Castle and the beach, we found the property fine as it's visible from the main road to Minehead. Photos need updating as the sofas have been replaced by a great corner sofa and a couple of easy chairs. Towels are provided. If you need the downstairs bedroom you need to know that the bathroom is half way up the stairs. In all a great place and would recommend to my friends.
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"Firstly check the postcode as the one we had would not have taken us to our destination."
We felt the property was quaint and comfortable. The lawn is large enough for our 2 dog one a DDB one a Jug. When the heating comes on it more than adequate but strangely it seemed to cut out when needed most. Sofas have been treated rough by previous users and this is a dog friendly cottage so some responsibility needs to be placed on previous owners with dogs. All amenities where very clean and well presented including Bed linen and kitchen utensils. Take bath towel as we weren't supplied any but we always take some just in case.
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"Lovely accommodation."
Well kitted out. Secure garden for the dog. Well placed for visiting lots of local sites of interest. Great for people wanting to walk. Many dog-friendly venues available.
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"The cottage and it’s location were excellent."
The only thing that was disappointing was the terrible state of the faux leather sofas in the lounge. They are so old, really uncomfortable and the padded armrest’s kept falling off. The vinyl coverings are disintegrating and every time you sit on them, bits crumble off onto the floor. Apart from this we found the cottage charming and full of character. We had a lovely break!
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"The sofas in the lounge were really uncomfortable with springs poking through."
They also had splits in the fabric. We were not the first to complain about this. Everything else was so nice, lovely kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. There was only one tv, in the lounge, so it's a shame that the sofas were so awful.
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"Lovely accommodation spacious and enjoyed the garden."
Kitchen very large an every appliances available, separate dining room was also very beneficial plus large bathroom and shower room. The furniture in the sitting room was rather old and needs replacement. Room to park up to 4 vehicles.
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"House fine and lovely area."
Sofa's need replacing. Shower room cabinet needs moving to other corner as it is impossible to use the basin safely. House wi-fi password needs to be provided in welcome book, as we had to get down on the floor looking for it on the router.
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"Lovely property, plenty of space, comfy beds, great location to explore Somerset."
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"Mirror cabinet in shower room makes it impossible to put head or face over the basin."
Listing should emphasise that whilst there is a ground floor bedroom, bathrooms are upstairs. Garden is lovely, as is overall ambiance, presentation and location.
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"This holiday was originally planned for May but had to be re booked for October due to COVID."
The property and location was really good and met all our needs we have nothing negative to say at all. If I was to say one thing which would be a nice touch for someone visiting would be to give some history about the property as I am sure it would be of interest to those staying.
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"Very good centre for Exmoor."
Quibbles: there was no razor point in any bathroom. And the bedside lights had one black shade and one purple...both useless to read by. Luckily I brought my own from home .
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"No mention which day the bins were being emptied,the bins were full when we arrived and consequently there was no room to put our rubbish and it had to be left by the side which is unfair to the people coming after us."
It would be nice to have a second television as grandparents can only take so much cartoons.
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"Generally the house was great, but more information needs to be provided to guests about the rubbish/recycling collections."
General rubbish and recycling are collected weekly, alternating between the two. Unfortunately when we arrive the previous guests hadn't put the general rubbish out to be collected so it already contained two weeks worth of rubbish. We put out the recycling for collection but unfortunately as no guidance was left for us several of the items weren't taken as not every councils recycles the things we're used to them taking. This meant more rubbish for the general collection which was already overflowing. I would assume new guests would arrive and then have three weeks worth of general waste in the black bin and nowhere to put their own rubbish. Surely if we're asked to check in an hour later, cleaners should be making sure and notifying either yourselves or the owner that the rubbish hasn't been collected, especially during the current pandemic. We also found litter by the side of the sofa in the living room so clearly checking in an hour later doesn't necessarily mean that the place has undergone any deeper a clean than before!
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"Fabulous house with loads of space."
Sofas in living room were extremely uncomfortable and arm rests kept falling off BUT everything else was fantastic.
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"Great cottage and location only disappointing thing was the walk to the beach was more than “10 minutes “ away ( nearer to 25 minutes) Nice touch having a bottle of milk and a bottle of wine waiting for us on arrival."
Would highly recommend the cottage.
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"Apart from lack of flaming June No3 very clean and comfortable plenty of room, ..."
Apart from lack of flaming June No3 very clean and comfortable plenty of room, to find a bottle of wine ,tea bags and milk made a welcome touch One small problem with a sink plug rapidly sorted by John all in all a very welcome and homely week It is a bit uphill to the village plenty of eating houses some more pricey than others If you want economical go mad in morrisons cafe 1/2 mile away
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"Waste disposal."
clearer instructions .previous occupants left the waste bin full.
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"Everything about this place was amazing ,really felt like we were at home so warm and welcoming ,location perfect near the castle and beach and only a short drive into minehead ."
Best thing of all we got it so cheap for such a brill holiday thankyou
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"Interesting and quirky place to stay."
Didn’t notice much in the way of road noise. Pleasantly furnished and comfortable accommodation. Perhaps a couple of serving dishes could be added. Lovely village with plenty of places to eat.
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"The booking process was really smooth, I had some questions about the listing, which I made through the online chat in the website."
The staff was courteous and helpful. They passed on our questions to the owner and promptly got back to us with with answers and booking link to finish the reservation process. Check-in was easy with the keys being held at a key safe at the entrance of the cottage. The cottage was great, fully equipped kitchen, colouring books and pencils which my young daughter loved, overall really comfortable and clean. Thanks for a great stay at Dunster!
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"We were pleased with the accomodation."
We went to do paperwork; it was quiet plus the Wi-Fi was sufficient for the 3 of us to use. The previous occupants had not put out the main rubbish bin so it smelt. We could bot find anywhere to put the recycling which was disappointing. Other than those 2 issues, everything was fine.
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"The property is advertised for 6 people."
When we arrived there were two double beds and a single bed made up for us. We had to pull out another single, which didn’t have legs!!!! And make the bed ourselves. One adult had to sleep on the ground. Property should have been made up for 6 before we arrived, and a clear description of single and pull out bed made clear. The pull out bed is only suitable for a child and this should have been specified in property details.
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"The cottage was homely and welcoming and had everything we needed."
We had a lovely stay and would come back again.
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"The accommodation was excelent and there are lots of places nearby to visit."
We left some notes which we think would help the owners and future visitors. The one thing which will prevent us taking a similar holiday is that the change over day was Friday. Our son had to take an extra day from his holiday entitlement to travel on the first Friday. and as we excpected the journey which satnav said would take 4 hours and 40 minutes actually took 8 houirs and was horrendous. Never again.
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"Good base to explore surrounding area with guaranteed car parking place!"
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"Everything about the holiday was wonderful ."
Location,dunster itself ,good bus service taunton and minehead , and the cottage itself was clean and comfortable.
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"No The location was good and the accommodation was excellent."
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
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"Basically a very nice cottage but the following comments might be helpful to the owner:- 1."
We could not find any welcome pack giving basic instructions about the cottage and it's contents together with helpful telephone numbers of local facilities. 2. There is a nice decking area outside but no patio chairs, tables. ( we had glorious weather all week and it would have been nice to relax outside occasionally without taking chairs from inside) 3. Could have done with a small freezer compartment in the fridge. 4. Downstairs loo?! 5. No teapot, unless tall coffee pot we used was meant for both uses. Please be assured we are not moaning people and enjoyed the location, the cottage was comfortable and we had a great holiday, just some thoughts for the owner.
Summary
- Three bedrooms: 1 x ground floor king-size double with woodburner (first basket of logs will be supplied), 1 x four poster bedroom, 1 x single with pull-out single bed
- Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
- Shower room with shower, basin and WC
- Kitchen
- Dining room
- Sitting room.
- Gas central heating
- Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, WiFi, selection of books, games and DVDs
- Fuel and power inc. in rent
- Woodburner (first basket of logs will be supplied), Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Travel cot and highchair available on request, Off road parking for 3 cars
- Enclosed garden to the rear with decking and furniture
- No smoking
- Shop and pub 5 mins walk
- Beach 10 mins walk
- Note: Some road noise may be heard from the cottage
- 2 well behaved dogs welcome (dogs are not allowed upstairs and they must not be left unattended at any time)
The property
This former police station is a Grade II listed building, and a wonderful holiday base to return to after exploring all that the village of Dunster has to offer.
The exterior sets a feel for the cottage before you enter, and the charming archway welcomes you inside.
A sitting room is home to comfortable sofas where you can relax and socialise with your loved ones, reminiscing over your day trips and planning those adventures to come.
Gather with your friends and family at the dining table which can seat up to six people, for an evening meal after the sun goes down.
The well-equipped kitchen offers a spacious set up, designed with contemporary features including black granite counter tops and white units.
The ground floor is also home to a king-size bedroom, with deep purple bedding and a traditional dressing table as well as a feature fireplace.
For a different style, the first floor offers a four poster bed, with more of those charming furnishings, neighboured by a lovely single room that provides a pull-out bed.
You will never be short of places to get ready in the morning, with both a shower room and bathroom to match your preferences.
Relax in the garden during your downtime, with its enclosed decked area and flowers bordering the outside.
Enjoy a warm drink as you take in the views that lie in the distance.
The cottage is of historical and architectural interest and only a few minutes stroll from Dunster Castle, and well placed for Watchet and Minehead.
With traditional inns, individual shops and interesting places to explore, this property is an excellent choice for a well-rounded holiday.
Please note: This property had a £200 good house keeping bond
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.
About the location
DUNSTER
Minehead 3 miles.
Dunster is a popular tourist village near the North Somerset coast and is a largely unspoiled spot: the centre of the town retains many old buildings which hug the winding cobbled streets. The whole village is dominated by the castle on its hill but the focal point of the High Street is the picturesque Yarn Market, a covered area built in 1609 particularly to accommodate the wool traders and other cloth merchants. Inside Dunster castle there are fine plasterwork ceilings and the extensive terraced and landscaped gardens contain many rare shrubs and trees, and offer marvelous views out to sea, and towards the Quantocks. For those who enjoy exploring the countryside, Dunster is within the Exmoor National Park and there are plenty of footpaths leading onto the surrounding hills of Grabbist and walks into Dunster’s Deer Park at the foot of the castle. Dunster is well served with traditional inns, individual shops and interesting places to explore including the working 18th century watermill. West Somerset’s premier resort of Minehead is less than three miles away and has golden sandy beaches, seaside attractions for the visitor, and plenty of cafes, shops and bistros.
Please note: This property had a £200 good house keeping bond
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute
- Christmas