Wednesday, 6 August 2025

‘Doing Days out’ …Day 3!





It was almost 12 years ago, in the summer of 2013, that we visited Dulverton…and I remember blogging about it! And today, we stopped at this delightful little place for a cuppa and a sandwich…






Dulverton is actually in Somerset; it’s a small, bustling, market town that happens to have the oldest, medieval bridge on Exmoor and this spans the River Barle. Not far from here, the River Barle meets the River Exe.









There are many attractive buildings in Dulverton as well as independent shops, and there is plenty of choice for food and drink.





That done,we headed north to Dunster ( just as we did the last time that we ‘did’ Exmoor!)






Managed by The National Trust, this 17th Century, timber framed, octagonal, yarn market, above, is a monument to Dunster’s once flourishing cloth trade. By the 13th century, Dunster had become a centre for woollen and clothing production and apparently, a particular type of broadcloth called, ‘Dunsters’. It was George Luttrell, of the Luttrell family, (see below), who, in around 1609, constructed the yarn market in order to shelter the traders and their wares from the rain.





However, we decided not to stop in Dunster, this time, as it was exceedingly busy.

Just outside Dunster we found this Junk Shop and so we stopped for a quick mooch!







I couldn’t help admiring these…in lovely pastel colours.




Retracing our steps we drove back through Dunster. I managed to snap this view of the castle.




The castle, which is a former motte and bailey castle, has existed in Dunster since Norman times; it has a medieval gatehouse and a ruined tower. The castle has been under the ownership of the Luttrell family for more than 600 years and during the 19th century it became a country home. There is also a working watermill here. With an interesting history, it certainly makes its presence felt, as it has such a commanding position above this busy village. You can read more here








We journeyed on, taking a route south west, towards South Molton. It was quite a jolly jaunt and we were glad to find a parking space for a ‘pit stop’ and a cuppa and a cake at The George Hotel. Town hotels are few and far between nowadays; my own home town had two such hotels, once upon a time! Sadly no more.





The George Hotel offered us just what we needed before heading home. Another lovely day but I think that Day 4, on Sunday, is going to be more local and a little more leisurely! Mr Snippets needs to recover having been ‘abroad’…he doesn’t like leaving home, let alone leaving Devon! 🤣😂🤣😜😆









 

5 comments:

  1. I have visited that junk shop many times with my sister, the issue with Dunster is simply they don't have enough parking spaces, lovely trip for you.

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  2. You and Mr. S have been to some of our most favourite places. We used to bring our touring van to a site at Bridgetown, which is very close to Dulverton. Very envious, as we had to give up vanning as we got older. Xx

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  3. There used to be a fantastic second-hand book shop in Dulverton - I wonder if it's still there?
    Love Dunster too and we always went to the beach there across the steam railway tracks

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    1. Yes, it’s still there. I didn’t go into it this time but I remember purchasing from there last time we went. 😁

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  4. Dulverton looks a busy, thriving community - very attractive. The castle in Dunster does rather loom over the village - quite threatening when the Lord of the Manor or the Keeper of the Castle held your fate in his hands.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! ;-)