The Tallest Tree In England, Dunster, Exmoor National Park
[Main photo: The Tallest Tree in England sign in Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)]
The tallest tree in England
The Dunster Douglas fir is situated in a grove of giant and exotic trees in Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate). It’s said to be the tallest tree in England.
Location of Dunster Douglas The Tallest Tree in England
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Directions to, and parking at, Dunster Douglas The Tallest Tree in England
Most people start from Nutcombe Bottom Car Park in Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate). 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.
Follow the A396 from Dunster village or from the Wheddon Cross direction.
Dunster Douglas The Tallest Tree in England
There are plenty of information boards and signage in the local area. These read:
‘Big trees. The Dunster Douglas is the tallest tree in England. The General Sherman in the USA is the largest tree in the world.
Dunster Douglas. Growing since 1876. Trunk 50 tonnes. Height 60.05 metres. 3 adults can hug the tree. Diameter 1.74 metres. Volume 45 cubic metres or 4.5 million pencils.
General Sherman. Growing since 500 BC. Trunk 1,256 tonnes. Height 83.8 metres. 18 adults can hug the tree. Diameter 11.1 metres. Volume 1,486 cubic metres or 150 million pencils.’ (Source: information board on site.)
‘Welcome to the Tall Trees Trail, a grove of giant and exotic trees that is home to the tallest tree in England.
The Crown Estate provides this all abilities access trail so that everyone can get close to these amazing trees, to learn more about them and the surrounding forest.
This trail was developed with financial support from the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Fund, provided by DEFRA.’ (Source: information board on site.)
‘The Tall Trees Trail is designed to be accessible for all. The trail is approximately 600m long, and follows a gentle incline (<12%) up to the end, where it loops back.
The trail surface is smooth, and wide enough for wheelchairs to pass through, care should be taken on bridges, which are narrower.
The trail is pedestrian access only. We hope you enjoy your visit and look forward to your return.’ (Source: information board on site.)
‘Walk among the giants and explore the wonders of this special woodland - home to the tallest tree in England.
A warm climate, fertile soils, and plentiful rainfall in this sheltered enclave of Exmoor have combined to create ideal growing conditions for this grove of giant Douglas Fir trees.
Visitors are welcome to explore Dunster Forest and the Tall Trees Trail following the all abilities path that meanders through the record breaking collection of trees - also home to the tallest magnolia in the country.
Managed to produce high quality timber and to protect and enhance the rich wildlife of Exmoor and its cultural and natural heritage, the Dunster Forest is home to a wide variety of unusual and sometimes rare plants and animals.
A wealth of historic sites, archaeological remains and protected habitats, add to the diversity of the woodlands, while the nearby rolling heaths and moors of Exmoor offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside [sic].’ (Source: information board on site.)
In addition to the Tall Trees Trail, there are other walking circuits and things to do from Nutcombe Bottom Car Park. Note that there is a map of the trails and information boards on site:
Black Hill Circuit 6 ½ miles
Longcombe Circuit 4 ½ miles
Hats Wood Circuit 1 ½ miles
Adventure Play and Picnic Area
We’d also recommended picking up the Walk and Explore Dunster Forest The Crown Estate leaflet. This is also available as a PDF online:
‘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
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 Estate (The Crown Estate)
Dunster Station and the West Somerset Railway
Dunster Beach
West Somerset Coast Path
Historical and cultural attractions near Dunster Douglas The Tallest Tree in England
Cleeve Abbey
Coleridge Cottage (National Trust)
The Ancient Mariner
Lee Abbey
Gardens near Dunster Douglas The Tallest Tree in England
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
Cothay Manor
Hestercombe House & Gardens
Other attractions near Dunster Douglas The Tallest Tree in England
The Crown Estate’s Dunster Estate
The beginning/end of the South West Coast Path
Villages and towns near Dunster Douglas The Tallest Tree in England
Dunster
Minehead
Watchet
Minehead
Selworthy
Allerford
Bossington
Porlock
Porlock Weir
Nether Stowey
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