Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn, Dunster, Exmoor National Park

[Main photo: inside Dunster Dovecote]

Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn and the Benedictine Dunster Priory

‘Early in the 12th Century William de Mohun gave the lands [Dunster] for a Benedictine Priory’. In addition to the Priory Church of St George, the gardens, dovecote and tithe barn form part of what remains on this monastic estate.

Location of Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn

Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn are situated in the centre of the village close to the High Street and A39.

We’ve positioned Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.

Directions to, and parking at, Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn

Follow the A39 to the A396 Dunster turning. There’s a large car park by the entrance to the village just off the A396. It’s clearly visible on Google’s satellite mapping. Wander across to the High Street and walk in the direction of the castle. Follow the bend in the road and the gardens are to your right. Alternatively, wander across to the High Street and follow The Ball/Priory Green road (Priory Grn on Google maps). Note that Dunster National Park Visitor Centre is located near the car park.

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. Explore the castle and then pop across the road to see Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn.

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

There’s a smaller car park on the other side of the village by English Heritage’s Gallox Bridge as well. Walk up the A396 from there.

As mentioned above, we’ve positioned Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location and the various ways you can get to these points of interest.

Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn

There are many local information boards telling the story of the gardens, dovecote and tithe barn. Visit to learn more:

‘Dunster village gardens were bought in 1980 with money given and collected entirely by the villagers. Early in the 12th Century William de Mohun gave the lands for a Benedictine Priory, which although served only by a prior and 3 monks prospered until the Dissolution of the Monastries [sic] in 1536. In 1543 Lady Margaret Luttrell bought them for £85-16s-8d and on her death in 1580 they passed to her grandson George Luttrell and were used as kitchen gardens to the Castle until falling into disuse in recent years. They will now be planted and preserved for your pleasure.’ (Source: information board on site.)

‘Dovecote was part of the monastic estate of the Benedictine Priory of Dunster, a cell of Bath Priory. There are no records referring to when it was constructed but repairs were implemented in the 18th and 19th century by the Luttrell estate. Dunster is a typical medieval circular tower dovecote and many of this type date from the 13th and 14th century and such a date is likely here at Dunster.’ (Source: information board on site.)

‘The tithe, or payment in kind, of 10% of the annual produce of crops, livestock, orchards and gardens, was an ancient custom … The tithes of Dunster Estate were passed by the de Mohuns to the Benedictine Priory around 1090. Of the former Priory buildings the Dovecote (formerly called a Pigeon House), Tithe Barn, the former Farmhouse (now the Old Priory) and the Priory Gardens (part of which is now a Garden of Memory) still remain. A tithe barn is referred to as being in existence in Maxwell Lyte’s ‘History of Dunster’ in the late 1400’s although a 14th Century map of Dunster and recent excavations at the front of the tithe barn indicate an earlier building was on the same site as the present one.’ (Source: information board on site.)

Dunster village and Dunster Estate

Once you’ve visited Dunster Gardens and Dovecote we’d recommend exploring:

Dunster Castle (National Trust)

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

Dunster Gardens and Dovecote

Conygar Tower

The tallest tree in England

Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

Dunster Station and the West Somerset Railway

Dunster Beach

West Somerset Coast Path

Gardens near Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn