Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate), Dunster, Exmoor National Park

[Main photo: view to Dunster Castle, Conygar Tower and the coast at Dunster Beach and Blue Anchor Bay]

Popular village, the tallest tree in England and stunning views

Dunster Castle (National Trust) and the popular village Dunster sit within the much larger Dunster Estate which is part of The Crown Estate. There are many trails you can follow to explore the estate. Attractions include the tallest tree in England and the impressive folly Conygar Tower. These trails also provide stunning views of this part of Exmoor National Park and the West Somerset coastline.

Location of Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate) is located in the north eastern section of the national park near Minehead. The estate surrounds Dunster village.

We’ve positioned Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate) on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.

Directions to, and parking at, Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

Follow the A39 to the A396 Dunster turning. There’s a large car park off the A39 by the entrance to the village.

If you’re visiting the National Trust’s Dunster Castle, there’s a large car park on the castle grounds. It’s free for National Trust members.

You can also take the train to Dunster station and walk from there as part of a day trip to the village.

There’s a smaller car park on the other side of the village by English Heritage’s Gallox Bridge as well.

There are other car parks in Dunster Estate. For example, most people use Nutcombe Bottom Car Park in Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate) to see England’s tallest tree. This is situated south west of Dunster village just off the A396 between Hats Wood and Whits Wood as marked on Ordnance Survey mapping. Gallox Hill and Bat’s Castle are to the east.

Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

‘The Dunster Estate extends to over 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) and has largely belonged to The Crown Estate since the 1950s.

Dunster Castle is not part of The Crown Estate and has been managed by The National Trust since 1976.’ (Source: Walk and Explore Dunster Forest The Crown Estate leaflet.)

‘The forests and woodlands within the Dunster Estate extend to some 1,427 hectares (3,256 acres) and consist of a mixture of native trees such as oak and beech and other species including pines and cedars. In addition, Douglas firs, a tree native to western North America, can also be found and among these is a 57 metre high tree’, once recorded as the tallest in England and in the Guinness Book of Records in 1993. Storm damage has reduced the height of the tree by several metres and it is now questionable as to this being the tallest specimen in the country.’ (Source: Walk and Explore Dunster Forest The Crown Estate leaflet.)

Dunster village and Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

(Dunster Castle National Trust)

Dunster National Park Visitor Centre

Dunster Yarn Market, Butter Cross and Gallox Bridge (English Heritage)

Remnants of Dunster Priory including Dunster Gardens and Dovecote

Conygar Tower

The tallest tree in England

Dunster Station and the West Somerset Railway. Runs from the east border of Exmoor at Minehead and Dunster to Watchet and then Bishops Lydeard below the Quantock Hills. Super family attraction.

Dunster Beach

West Somerset Coast Path

Historical and cultural attractions near Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

Cleeve Abbey

Coleridge Cottage (National Trust)

The Ancient Mariner

Lee Abbey

Gardens near Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

The castle is surrounded by many gardens and heavily wooded walkways.

The Keep Garden tops the hill on which the castle sits.

Lawn’s Bridge, Marshall’s Bridge and Lovers’ Bridge span the River Avill on the eastern side of the castle.

Knightshayes