Dunster Beach Holiday Chalet

Places to Visit

Cleeve Abbey – at Washford, the abbey is a haven of tranquillity. For a glimpse of monastic life 800 years ago a visit to Cleeve Abbey is a must for anyone with a sense of history. Now part of English Heritage, it includes a medieval painted chamber, magnificent timber ceiling, and superb floor tiles, as well as the most complete cloister building in England.

Coleridge Trail - Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived for some years in Nether Stowey and it is here that the Coleridge Trail starts, at the house that was once his home and has now been turned into a museum about the poet. The trail continues to Alfoxton, near Holford, where his great friends William and Dorothy Wordsworth lived, then across the spine of the Quantock Hills down into Watchet, where Coleridge is recorded as having stayed at the Bell Inn in Market Street. It is believed that Coleridge wrote his most famous poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner whilst staying in Watchet. A statue of the Ancient Mariner stands overlooking the harbour. From Watchet the trail goes on along the coast to Porlock, Lynmouth and beyond.

Culbone – the smallest church in England, just 12 foot wide. Not accessible by car, best approached by a two mile long footpath from Porlock Weir.

Dunster - once a port, today Dunster village is stranded from the sea and is one of the most visited places on Exmoor. It has all the features you would expect of an English medieval village, including an ancient castle, a 15th century Nunnery, a circular medieval dovecote, Yarn Market, Packhorse
bridge, mill and Doll Museum.

Lorna Doone Country walk
If you know the Lorna Doone story, this eight mile self-guided walk will take you through the countryside in which R D Blackmore set his novel. The walk passes the ruins of the Doone's property, the water slide, walks alongside the Badgeworthy (Badgery) Water and on to Oare church, the scene where Carver shot Lorna Doone. The walk itself takes you over the moorland of Brendon Common and down the picturesque Badgeworthy Water valley with its rhododendron bushes. For details of this walk and many others visit :- combewalks.com

Porlock Weir - watch the world famous Porlock glassmakers blowing the many items in the ‘Exmoor Glass’ range.

Selworthy - a charming village of cream-washed stone, thatched cottages typical of many ancient settlements in this area.

Washford - Torre Cider Farm, traditional Somerset Cider Making with the opportunity to sample different ciders straight from the barrel. The farm shop also sells cream, cheese, honey and wine. Whilst at the cider farm visit the Gloucester Old Spot pigs and goats. Washford Mill offers a shopping experience with a difference. Situated in the original mill dating back to the 16th century a wide variety of small shops offer a wide variety of products with something for everybody.

Watchet - a picturesque ancient harbour with surrounding narrow streets and where an interesting museum can be found.

Williton Bakelite Museum - it has the largest collection of Bakelite and vintage plastics in the world. For many this will be a nostalgic trip back in time reminding them of objects from their childhood.