Spotlight On….Dunster by Candlelight
Candlelight Christmas – A traditional festive event in Dunster, Exmoor
On the journey to Exmoor National Park, the final drive through the Somerset villages of Nether Stowey, Williton, Washford and Carhampton provide a picturesque feast of ageless beauty along the A39. At last a gap in the trees opens up, revealing the glory of Dunster Castle to the left; nestled within its majestic hilltop embrace of greenery.
As you turn into Dunster itself you know in your soul that you’ve arrived at a place of peace and timeless grace; this is Merrie England as we all love her.
A very special event that takes place in the medieval village annually is “Dunster by Candlelight”. This happens on the first weekend in December when the village steps back in time, banishes cars, and lights proceedings with flickering candlelight. There is a festival atmosphere in the streets returned to their pedestrian state, and local shops and businesses are open late into the evening.
It is the perfect weekend for Christmas shopping, whilst enjoying entertainment provided by Stilt Walkers, Morris Men, Brass Bands, Carol Singers, Puppetry, Jugglers and more. The beautifully restored Tithe Barn and the Parish Church of St George are open with programmes of music and other attractions to visit, and Dunster Castle has a special themed weekend, with floodlit garden and terrace walks. The event also benefits charity in that collections for the local St. Margaret’s Somerset Hospice take place throughout both evenings.
As well as coming for this special festive celebration, Dunster is well worth a visit at any time of year. Very little has changed in this village down the years; the great castle still dominates the view of the High Street, the octagonal medieval Yarn Market still looks as it did in the Middle Ages and right next to it is the charming Yarn Market Hotel. If it’s comfort, friendliness and fine food you’re after then this is just the place to stay.
To say that it’s only a hotel is perhaps to be rather a little disingenuous; this is a hub of activities, helping those with their own brand of passions to enjoy them to the full during their stay; photography clubs, nature spotting, astronomy breaks (no light pollution hereabouts), cricket and bowling tours, book club or craft retreats, classic car rallies, cultural and historical tours; the list goes on, even chess and scrabble tournaments if that’s your preferred enjoyment.
Using the hotel as a base, guests can enjoy rambling around Dunster and its many quaint and out-of-the-ordinary shops, also taking in the interesting twin-wheeled watermill at the foot of the castle’s hill where flour is ground for sale. Dunster’s church dedicated to St. George was the inspiration behind that favourite childhood hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’.
Wandering to your heart’s content, you’ll hear the distant howl of a steam engine’s whistle; the West Somerset Railway, the longest standard gauge steam railway in England, huffing its way from nearby Minehead through Tolkienesque countryside to Bishops Lydeard.
The hotel welcomes groups of all sizes and the team are happy to assist group leaders in planning an itinerary to see the best of the Dunster and Exmoor area.
Familiarisation visits for Group Organisers can be arranged and for information about these and the Hotel generally please contact hotel@yarnmarkethotel.co.uk or telephone 01643 821425.
THE YARN MARKET HOTEL WAS A FINALIST IN BOTH THE 2018 AND 2019 GROUP TRAVEL AWARDS FOR THE BEST INDIVIDUAL HOTEL IN THE SMALL HOTELS CATEGORY.
WEDNESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER TO MONDAY 4TH DECEMBER
Or THURSDAY 30TH NOVEMBER TO TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER
5 night 6 day DBB stay including transport from one central point in your home town *. Also includes Exmoor Safari tour with visits to Dunster, Porlock Weir, Lynton, Lynmouth and the Valley of Rocks. Minimum group size 6 people. £500.00 per person sharing, £100.00 single supplement.
Groups providing their own transport 3 nights £325, 4 nights £400, 5 nights £450 Single sole occupancy supplement £20 per night All nights DBB.
Above offers are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Payment terms – 10% deposit on booking, 40% by 15th November, balance on arrival.
*Transport offer does not apply to towns North of Birmingham or East of London
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