Dunster it is hard to conceive today that Dunster was once busy port, and from the 12th, century exported beans, wine, barley, and Welsh wool, but the sea retreated over the centuries leaving Dunster landlocked, except for the river. Dunster is dominated by an ancient beautiful Castle. Which casts its protective eye over the village, and the surrounding countryside, like a paternal grandfather, and has done so for 900 years. A almost unique fact is that Dunster Castle has been the ancestral home of only to two families, since 1068. And the only other place in England that compares to that is Berkekly Castle in Gloucestershire.

After the Norman conquest in 1066, The area around Dunster castle which had previously been a Saxon stronghold, was given to the Mohin Family. The Castle was rebuilt in the Norman style by the Mohun family, French nobility, who came over with 'William the Conquer. And the castle became their ancestral home which they held until 1374. In 1374, the Castle was brought by the Lutterel family and has remained till present day the family seat of the 'Luttrel family. The castle dates from 'Saxon' era, though as I said it was rebuilt by the Normans. We all know how much the Norman's enjoyed building two things, churches, and castles. The 'Saxon' mottle, or keep is still in evidence today. One would be hard pushed to find more suitable settings or surroundings for a Castle. Set on a high hill Dunster Castle arises from woodland with the River running close by below, although there are more important and imposing castles in the country. But to find one which graces, and is graced, by its surroundings such as Dunster does would indeed be hard to find.

As I said as a reward for loyal service, 'William the Conquer' bestowed the castle upon The Fench nobleman Baron de Moion along with lot's of manor's in West Somerset, Devon, and Dorset. But Dunster was his power base which is confirmed in the 'Domesday Book' which quotes, "William de Mohun holds Torre and there is his castle." The most prominent of the Mohin's was William de Mohin, a contemporary of Henry the 1st, and Stephen. He was a rabid supporter of The Empress Matilda, and some say her lover. During the first civil war, William de Mohin, was so renowned for his reckless burning of property and plundering, that he was both hated, and feared, by the population of the West Country, who dubbed him the 'scourge of the west.' His mistress, the Empress Matilda appeared to have conferred on him the title of Earl of Somerset in 1114. The title was never recognized by Henry, or Stephen, and it appears that the Mohuns never employed the title either. The male line of the Mohuns died out in 1373. And the result of this was the castle and grounds were sold by the widow, and daughters of the last of the Mohuns. In 1374, the castle and grounds was purchased by ' Lady Elizabeth Luttrel' the widow, of Sir Francis Luttrel and the daughter of the Earl of Devon

Although the castle was garrisoned by Royalist forces during the English Civil War. The Luttrell family themselves, were not Royalist. Like nearly all the people of the West Country, they declared their loyalty to Parliament. The Castle was besieged. by Robert Blake, a Parliamentarian Army commander in November 1645. And it proved very hard to defeat . It was to be eventually surrendered to Blake by it's Governor Colonel Wyndham, in April 1946, shortly after Hoptons defeat at Great Torrington. A defeat which ended the King's South West power base, and led to the Kings Royal Standard, were being lowered all over the West Country. Robert Blake, the victor at Dunster is a very interesting man. He was elected to the ' Short Parliament' as the member for Bridgewater Somerset. But he failed to be re-elected to the 'Long Parliament.' And when the English Civil war broke out, Blake began a military career in the parliamentarian forces. He famously declared at the siege of Taunton, that he had " four pair of boots and would gladly eat three pairs sooner than surrender." After the war. Blake was made a General at Sea. The equivalent of an Admiral to-day. And he was the driving force in building the biggest navy the Country had ever seen. Dunster Castle has been The Luttrel family home for over 6 centuries. But in 1976, Lt Col Walter Luttrel, gave the castle in perpetuity to the Nation. The castle and grounds are now administered by the National Trust.

Dunster, itself is a very pretty village, Sitting on the river amidst beautiful countryside. However in the summer is a very busy place indeed. It also boast the most tea shops in the West Country. So there is no excuse for the holidaymaker to go without sustenance. A visit to the historic Yarn Market is a must. And not far from Dunster, are the Tarr Steps, which seem to keep popping up where ever one goes on Exmoor. The circular route besides the River, to the 'Tarr Steps is a very beautiful, scenic walk and yet another must for any visitors. To read  more about  Exmoor please click here Wonderful Exmoor

One event, not be missed is the annual archery contest. This has the biggest longbow competition in the world And  archers from all over the World take part. The archers dressed traditionally in lincon green are a imposing sight, you will be transported back in time. To a time when the English longbow was the most feared weapon in the world. And boys were trained from early childhood in its use. For to draw the string of a longbow, takes tremendous strength, as a demonstration of the bows recovered from Henry, the 8th's flagship, 'The Mary Rose' proved. .( bows that still worked despite being under the sea for centuries, they don't build them like that today ) Yes Dunster, is a must in the itinerary of any visitor to Exmoor, for it has both beauty, and history, in abundance. !

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