Back Roads Great Britain (Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

2 Washford

Somerset; TA23 0PS

Cleeve Abbey (open daily Apr–Oct),

founded by Cistercian monks in 1188,

is the most complete set of monastic

cloister buildings in England, including

a gatehouse, small chapel, dormitory

and large 15th-century refectory with

an arched wooden ceiling known as a

waggon roof. Washford is also on the

West Somerset Railway (daily mid-

Mar–Oct; http://www.west-somerset-railway.

co.uk), a 32-km (20-mile) stretch of

3 Dunster

Somerset; TA24 6SL

The quaint 400-year-old open-sided

octagonal Yarn Market is a reminder

of the village’s once-thriving wool

industry. The nearby Doll Museum

(open daily Apr–Sep; Sat–Sun pm only),

displays ancient and modern dolls.

Turreted Norman-style Dunster Castle

(open daily Mar–Dec), was home of the

Luttrell family for 600 years until 1976.

Perched on a hilltop and surrounded

by terraced gardens, it was extensively

remodelled in Victorian times. Dunster

is a good base for visiting Exmoor.

ª Continue on A39 past Minehead

until Selworthy is signposted off to the

right. Park opposite the church.

1 Taunton

Somerset; TA1 3XZ

This county town, in

the heart of apple and

cider country, centres

around its triangular

former market place,

Fore Street. The cattle

market moved to the

outskirts in 1929, but

the 200-year-old red

brick Market House^

still dominates. Parts

of 12th-century

Taunton Castle survive,

now home to the

Museum of Somerset (due to re-open

after renovation in 2010). Nearby in

Hammet Street, the richly sculptured

tower of St Mary Magdelene Church,

founded 1308, soars up 50 m (163 ft)

and is a landmark visible for miles.

ª Turn left out of car park along

Corporation Street, left at roundabout

onto North Street (A3207) and left onto

A358 out of town; take B3224 left just

after Bishop’s Lydeard, then B3188

right to Washford. Park at Cleeve Abbey

car park, on left as you enter village.

WHERE TO STAY

TAUNTON

The Castle expensive

This wisteria-covered family-run hotel

in the town centre provides historic

accommodation. It has an award-

winning restaurant and a brasserie.

Castle Green, TA1 1NF; 01823 272 671;

http://www.the-castle-hotel.com

DUNSTER

Luttrell Arms expensive

Small 15th-century hotel facing the Yarn

Market. Used in medieval times as a

guesthouse by the Abbots of Cleeve, it

has several rooms with four-poster beds.

32–6 High Street, TA24 6SG; 01643

821 555; http://www.luttrellarms.co.uk

LYNMOUTH

Rock House Hotel moderate

Family-run small hotel in 18th-century

building at the harbour entrance. It

has a cosy restaurant with sea views.

Manor Green, EX35 6EN; 01598 753

508; http://www.rock-house.co.uk

Below left The 15th-century Luttrell Arms

Hotel, Taunton Below right One of the

pristine, tidily thatched cottages of Selworthy

52

VISITING TAUNTON

Parking

Park in the car park near the bus

station and castle.

Tourist Information

Paul Street, TA1 3XZ; 01823 336 344;

http://www.heartofsomerset.com

VISITING EXMOOR

Exmoor National Park Centre

For more information about Exmoor

National Park including walks, events

and activities: open Mar–Oct.

Dunster Steep, Dunster, TA24 6SE;

01643 821 835; http://www.exmoor-

nationalpark.gov.uk

track offering trips in veteran carriages

often hauled by steam locomotives.

ª Turn left out of car park onto B3188,

then left onto A39 towards Minehead,

turning left into Dunster. Car parks just

off the A39 and in the castle grounds.

Right One of the gatehouses of the impressive

Dunster Castle, Dunster