Ruffles Cottage, Dunster

Dunster is a medieval village on the edge of Exmoor National Park in West Somerset, dominated by its magnificent castle perched on a wooded hilltop above the High Street.

Often described as one of the most intact medieval villages in England, Dunster has a rich history stretching back over a thousand years. The iconic octagonal Yarn Market, built in the early 1600s, sits at the heart of the village -- a reminder of its prosperous wool-trading past. The broad High Street is lined with independent shops, galleries, tea rooms, and characterful pubs, many housed in listed buildings dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

The village has its own Post Office with a cash machine, a deli, and a good range of places to eat and drink. For larger supermarkets, banks, and petrol stations, the coastal town of Minehead is just 1.5 miles away -- Tesco and Morrisons are both on the outskirts with long opening hours. Most shops in Dunster keep traditional hours of 9am to 5pm, often extending in summer.

Dunster hosts a lively programme of events throughout the year, including the Dunster Show, Dunster Country Fair, and the much-loved Winter Festival in early December when the village is lit by candlelight with music, dancing, and medieval re-enactments in the streets.