Our View

Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, Dunster Castle, the Luttrell family home for 600 years until 1976, looks down over the film-set village, where stands the imposing sandstone-built Luttrell Arms, and in the near distance, the Bristol Channel. In the street outside is the early 17th-century, timber-framed, octagonal Yarn Market. One of Britain’s oldest post-houses, it retains its galleried courtyard, fine plasterwork ceiling, stone-mullioned windows, wood-panelled walls and open fireplaces; it was from here that Oliver Cromwell directed the siege of Dunster Castle during the English Civil War. Until the 1950s one would book a table by telephoning Dunster 2; the Luttrells had the pleasure of answering “Dunster 1”. You can see the castle from the inn’s hidden garden; here’s as good a place as any to savour a pint of Exmoor Ale from nearby Wiveliscombe, or Thatchers Cheddar Valley cider, while perusing the menu. The Old Kitchen Bar offers hot ciabattas and sandwiches; chef’s pie of the day; and two types of ploughman’s. In Psalter’s restaurant, the choice is narrower but more sophisticated. Children get to choose from their own menu.

Awards, accolades and Welcome Schemes

AA Pick of the Pubs