Exmoor – “Walking and Sightseeing” IV

No problems with the lunch on Wednesday, when we got the minibus to Dunster. Our walk started by going through the deer park and along a river past the Gallox Bridge in the castle grounds.

The Gallox Bridge

As we moved further away from the car park we had views of the castle from the back.

Dunster Castle

After climbing quite a steep hill we went through a gate and headed towards Bats Castle – which is an iron age fort, I think. On the way we saw more ponies – and these were Exmoor ponies!

Exmoor ponies

We then went down through woods and ended up back near Gallox Bridge before heading for the picnic tables near the car park for our lunch. Most people then went into Dunster Castle but I headed round the back and managed to get to see the watermill.

Double wheel watermill

They were supposed to be grinding corn but one couldn’t see the actual mill wheels and I don’t think they were. Not the most interesting water mill I have seen so I am glad I didn’t pay to go in!

In side the mill
West door of the church with gargoyles on each side

I then went into the town and had a look at the church – well the parish bit. It was quite interesting with lots of bits to look for when one read the guides.

I then went into the rest of the town and bought more postcards and had a mango sorbet ice-cream – my most favourite! From there it was back to the castle picnic tables and I wrote 2 more postcards before meeting the rest of the group for a guided walk round the town. We skirted the church and went through the priory gate – there used to be a priory in the town next to the castle.

Priory Gate

Through the gate and round a corner was the Dovecote – there were loads of holes for doves to roost inside, but only appeared to be one window for them to leave by.

Tithe Barn
Dovecote with some of our party

Opposite the dovecote was the tithe barn where the priory would have stored the tithes from the parish. I believe it is now a community centre – good use for an old building!

One of the chests

From there we went into the church, but we were in the priory part which was separated from the parish part – monks not allowed to meet parishioners – or vice-versa? There were a couple of interesting chests which would have held the church valuables. They each had 5 places for padlocks and apparently keys for each were held by different people so the chests could only be opened if all 5 keyholders were there – nice form of security.

On leaving the church we went towards the town, passing what was called The Old Nunnery – but there never had been nuns! It was actually the guest hose for the priory.

“Old Nunnery”

From there we went on into the town to admire the Yarn Market. Dunster was another of those important wool towns. I posted my postcards and then pointed everyone to the ice-cream shop and everyone had a different flavour- except the person who had a mango sorbet like me!

The Yarn Market

We then headed back to the castle to get the minibus back to the hotel for dinner. After dinner there was the “hf quiz”. I was on the losing team and can’t say that I contributed much – for most of the questions I hadn’t a clue!

So? An enjoyable day, on the whole.

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