Grist Mill, Dunster

Experience the charm of medieval Dunster in Somerset by staying at Grist Mill, a characterful semi-detached period cottage that can accommodate up to 8 guests. This former working mill boasts three double bedrooms and a cosy loft room with a sofa-bed that can sleep 2 additional guests or provide flexible sleeping arrangements for your group. With underfloor heating and a wood burner in the sitting room, Grist Mill offers cosy and comfortable accommodation for anyone with a love of historic sites, walking, trail running and mountain biking.

This cottage is situated on the edge of the village, overlooking the leat that provides the water for the nearby National Trust Dunster Working Water Mill. The property is ideal for those who want to explore the stunning Exmoor National Park, with incredible walks and cycle rides through the Crown Estate Deer Park forest, leading to Bats Castle, an iron age hill fort, and beyond. Dunster village is also a popular tourist attraction with a fascinating National Trust Castle and Spectacular Gardens, as well as a good range of shops and places to eat.

The cottage features a newly fitted kitchen with a breakfast table and seating for 6 guests. For additional dining space, step through the bi-fold doors to the contemporary Garden room, which has a dining table for 8 guests. The cottage garden is large and divided into two separate areas, including a substantial private walled and fenced patio area with outside table and chairs, and swing seat. The patio garden has a gate leading to the village playing field and a children's play park, while the other side of the cottage along the leat provides easy access to the Foresters Arms Pub, the historic Dunster Working Water Mill, and Gallox Bridge.

Grist Mill offers private off-road parking for one car in the garage, with power points available for charging EV cars. Further parking is available nearby in the public Pay and Display Car Park, and bicycles can be safely stored in the garage or garden. With Wi-Fi, heating, and electricity included, as well as TV with Freeview and Netflix, towels, and bed linen provided, this property is ideal for families and groups of up to 8 guests. Book your stay at Grist Mill today and experience the beauty and charm of Dunster in Somerset.

Facilities
Entrance to the property is via a door from garage straight into the ground level. The newly fitted kitchen is well equipped with a modern double oven with gas hob, microwave, toaster, kettle, under-counter fridge, dishwasher, cafetière and a variety of kitchen utensils, cutlery, crockery and glasses sufficient to cater for larger numbers.

The kitchen garden door opens onto the patio area and large garden. The patio has a garden room with bifold doors that open up to provide an inside-outside space with dining table and seating for up to 8.

Also downstairs is the sitting room with large fireplace and wood-burner (initial fuel included, thereafter supplies are available to buy locally). The sitting room has a large 3-seater sofa, 3 comfortable chairs and TV with Freeview and Netflix. A bathroom with underfloor heating is located on the ground level, comprising a large double ended bath, toilet and hand basin.

A door from the sitting room leads to the narrow and steep staircase (with handrail) to the first floor with three double bedrooms and second bathroom, with electric shower, toilet and hand basin.

Separately accessed from the sitting room, a former storage loft has been converted into a 'snug' with sofa-bed, an ideal spot to enjoy a quiet moment with a book, a separate sitting room or play area but which can be used as a bedroom for two extra guests, or as flexible sleeping arrangements if two guests do not want to share a room. Linen for the sofa-bed available on request.

A small amount of tea, coffee, sugar, milk and biscuits are provided to ensure you can have a hot drink as soon as you arrive. Cleaning materials such as washing up liquid and surface cleaner will be present in the property. One or two toilet rolls will be provided per toilet.

Please note, this property is period cottage, some traditional features have been retained including some low doorways, and a narrow staircase.

Location
Dunster has been essentially preserved in time as a relic of the 600-year age when both the town and castle were owned by the Luttrells family. These days the town practically breathes history, from the turrets and towers of the originally Norman castle to the octagonal yarn market that is a throwback to the town’s 1700s heyday, when it was most renowned for its production of wool and particular cloth named “Dunster's”.

Although the origins of the village of Dunster date back to the times of Bronze and Iron Age Britain, it was the cloth-making industry that was in fact responsible for the town’s initial wealth and fame. Indeed, although the settlement’s first market can be traced back to 1222, it was the construction of the town’s iconic octagonal yarn market by Geoffrey Luttrell in 1601 that truly spearheaded the burgeoning woollen industry in the area. That very market still stands today, complete with a visible cannon ball hole that dates back to the damage sustained by the structure during a 5-month siege of Dunster Castle in the Civil War. The castle was a centre of military activity during the war, with both sides keen to ensure control of a fortress with such significant strategic and locational value.

Dunster is a now bustling village comprised of several restaurants, pubs and tea rooms, plus a varied range of independent shops. Many of the shops in Dunster are open during traditional hours of 9 am to 5 pm, although hours are often extended during the summer season. Conversely, some shops may also reduce their opening days and/or hours out-of-season.