Heritage Crafts in Medieval Dunster

After a gruelling winter dominated by leaden skies, the arrival of Spring days has been a sensory delight.  It was on one for the first bright days that I pointed my car west towards Exmoor, an Area Of Natural Beauty that I believe is at its very best early and late season.  I love to savour long shadows across the dramatic landscape, and my first expedition this Spring involved numerous stops on route.  Exmoor villages also have a huge 'lost in time' charm and my final destination of Dunster, with its many medieval buildings and castle, is without doubt a jewel.

I vividly recall my first school girl visit to Dunster village on a school girl holiday.  I had cycled with a friend from nearby Minehead on an ancient bicycle, and aching legs were forgotten in an instant when we turned the corner into the main street - a view that is as striking today.  Small shops, cafes and hotels continue to thrive and it takes a surprising amount of time to wander up the street to the castle entrance.  With a 1000+ year history, imposing Dunster Castle with formal gardens and extensive parkland offers more delights.

It took me a fair few visits to Dunster to get past the castle grounds, where there is much more to explore in the pretty winding streets that lie beyond.  This fully restored Dovecot is next to a striking Tithe Barn where local events are held.  Add to this pretty Memorial Gardens, Doll Museum, Watermill, Lovers Bridge, and the many pleasures of charming shops, nearby Dunster Beach and Exmoor, a trip to Dunster need to be savoued at a leisurely pace and a single day visit is simply way too short. 

One of the most photographed buildings is the Yarn Market proudly standing at the bottom of the main street.  I love to stand inside and imagine its working history, and all that will have happened within.  This Grade 1 timber framed building was built in the 17th century to support a flourishing cloth trade that centred around Dunster.  It specialised in trading woollen cloth known as kersey or broadcloth, and there was a cloth named after the village called Dunsters  With my long love of all things wool, you can kind of get why this building calls me!

I'm therefore delighted to collaborating with with fellow Somerset artists, Philippa Reid and Jane Hardstaff at the nearby Yarn Market Hotel this autumn.  A super friendly and traditional hotel that prides itself on helping visitors to get the most from their stay, they offer a selection of activity breaks throughout the year.  Our Heritage Craft Escape feels a perfect fit for this delightful venue and our offerings of heritage quilling, book binding and passementerie offer the opportunity to recharge and learn new skills to enjoy over the winter months ahead.  A short day will be spent learning the basics of each craft, giving time each day to enjoy all that Dunster has to offer, and an option for working in the evening for the enthusiastic!  No experience is required and all materials and equipment will be provided.  Do come along and join us in this heartfelt escape, where we can all be sure to return home with beautiful creations and happy memories :)