Just 40 miles away from us here in Glastonbury lies the entrance to Exmoor National Park. A little over an hour’s drive and you reach the stunning Somerset Countryside full of fantastic walks, historical sites, and my favourite wild Exmoor ponies.

The pretty medieval town of Dunster is home to the 11th-century National Trust-owned and operated Dunster Castle.  Cobbled lanes full of cafes, restaurants, and pubs lead to the Yarn market,  the main industry of the town up until recent times.

From Dunster, my favourite walk is  4-mile circular Bats Castle Circuit which takes you through the Crown Forest and into the Dunster Estate. Below is the link to the walk that starts at the base of the castle, heads across the 13th Century Gallox bridge, and into Dunster woods.

http://www.dunsterestate.co.uk/things-to-see-do/activities/walking-trails/bats-castle-circuit/

In Dunster Woods you pass the tallest tree in England, a Douglas Fir that stands over 60m tall.  Once through the woods, you climb up to a ledge to find Bat’s Castle, the remains of an Iron Age fort.  From here on top of this 200-meter-high hill you can see Dunster Castle, the beaches of Minehead, and across the Bristol Channel.

Coming down off of the hill you pass through Moorland full of Wild Deer and Exmoor Ponies.  

The walk takes you back into Dunster where you are spoiled for tearooms, pubs, and cafes but my favourite is the Methodist Chapel which has been converted to the Chapel House Cafe by owners Gareth and Jonny.  The most gorgeous building to drink coffee and eat delicious food.

http://www.chapelhousedunster.co.uk/aboutus.html

A highly recommended day trip from us here in Glastonbury.