Gilded Treasures Exhibition: 50 Years of the National Trust at Dunster Castle
1 September – 2 November. 10am-3.45pm
Displayed throughout the castle, the exhibition highlights items featuring gilded decoration and golden detail. Alongside these objects, uncover the story of how Dunster Castle was generously gifted to the National Trust in 1976 by Lt. Col. Walter Luttrell, which included the estate and thirty acres of surrounding parkland.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Victorian Kitchen Tours (weekdays)
Thursday & Fridays, September-October. Check website for timings.
Where meals were made, stories were shared and servants kept the castle running. Head to the once state-of-the-art Victorian Kitchen with one of our knowledgeable tour guides and discover the heart of Victorian life at Dunster Castle.
Price: £3pp (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Victorian Kitchen Tours (weekends)
Every Saturday, September & October. 11am-12noon & 12noon-1pm
Where meals were made, stories were shared and servants kept the castle running. Head to the once state-of-the-art Victorian Kitchen with one of our knowledgeable tour guides and discover the heart of Victorian life at Dunster Castle.
Price: £3pp (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Behind-the-Ropes Tours (weekends)
Every Saturday & Sunday, September – 1 November. Check website for timings.
Embark on a new route, explore repurposed spaces and discover their history, all with the help of one of our brilliant volunteer guides. Venture into new areas from the butler’s bedroom to the infamous ‘creepy corridor’, discover fascinating finds and gain an insight into the areas that allow us to do what we do.
Price: £3pp (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Behind-the-Ropes Tours
Every Monday, September-October. Check websites for times.
Embark on a new route, explore repurposed spaces and discover their history, all with the help of one of our brilliant volunteer guides.
Venture into new areas from the butler’s bedroom to the infamous ‘creepy corridor’, discover fascinating finds and gain an insight into the areas that allow us to do what we do.
Price: £3pp (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Attic Tours (Weekends)
Every Sunday, September – 1 November. 1.30-2.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm
Discover hidden spaces, explore tucked‑away rooms and corridors, and learn about the daily lives of the servants who once called these upstairs spaces home.
Price: £3pp (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Exmoor Dark Skies: Stargazing Evening
21 October. 7-10pm
Enjoy an evening of stargazing activities using telescopic equipment, laser guided star mapping, constellation story telling and much more. Wet weather options will include VR headsets and a mobile planetarium.
Price: £25pp (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Hydrangea Masterclass at Dunster Castle
8 & 30 September. 10am-12noon
Discover the diversity of hydrangeas and learn practical tips on cultivation, propagation and pruning groups. A relaxed session for anyone looking to get more from these garden favourites.
Price: £35pp. Booking required.
Dunster Castle Experience Days – A Day with the Head Gardener
23 September. 10.30am-3.30pm
An exclusive chance to spend the day with Dunster Castle’s Head Gardener, including a bespoke tour, and a two-course lunch.
Price: £65pp. Booking required.
Ghost Tours 2026
28 & 31 October. Check website for times.
Step into the shadows and discover the darker side of Dunster Castle. Venture through the castle’s most haunted spaces, hearing tales of ghostly sightings and mysterious happenings. Expect chills, thrills and a few scares along the way.
Price: £25pp. Booking required.
Full details at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/dunster-castle-and-watermill
