Old Priory Cottage
Dunster,
Somerset
Self-catering
+44 (0)1643 821540
Visit owner's website
£79 - £179
per night
£550 - £1250
per week
A peaceful place of history, eccentricity and authenticity with church and garden views; medieval Dunster and Exmoor on the doorstep
2 bedrooms
Sleeps 4
Your enquiry details
2 Guests 12 Oct 24 - 12 Oct 24
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£79 - £179 per night
£550 - £1250 per week
The Experience
A cottage from another age with a lived-in feel. It’s part of a medieval Benedictine Priory, behind old walls, beneath towering Dunster Castle; attached to and independent from The Old Priory where Jane has lived for decades and created the peace-filled atmosphere.
Sit out in your own courtyard which also has access to St George’s Church (worth exploring and with an outstanding choir) or you’re welcome to share Jane’s prolific garden. Walk to tea rooms, pubs, little shops and good restaurants. A 25-minute stroll will take you to the steam railway and the Dunster Two Hills Exmoor Circuit bike route can be joined here.
Hunker down by the Victorian wood-burner in the huge hearth; eat at the oak refectory table, sleep in rooms with lovely views. Wake to the peel of bells and a day to explore the village, maybe take an exhilarating walk or ride on Exmoor – Jane will dry boots and secure bikes.
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We think you'll love
- The ancient, peaceful, home-like atmosphere of this former priory
- Not needing to use the car for days
- Exploring medieval Dunster, and the Exmoor National Park
You should know
- The church clock chimes every hour
- Earwig and young Griffin – Jane’s English bull terriers– live with her next door and share the garden
- There is an extra charge for gas, electricity, towels and logs
Essentials
- EV charger
- Self check-in
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Barbecue
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Electricity included
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £79
- Weekly price
- from £550
- Surcharges
- Short breaks available: 3 nights in winter.
- 1 Cottage for 4
- From £792 bedrooms
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Information
Booking information
- Other details
- Minimum stay: 7 nights, Fri-Fri. Short breaks only available October to Easter.
- Closed
- Never.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
- Meals
- Pubs 10-minute walk.
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Reviews
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This was our third stay in the adjoining cottage, which centuries earlier had been a dormitory for the Benedictine monks. The interior is quite unique and has one guessing as to how it has been altered over the centuries. Jane made us very welcome and made sure we had everything we needed. For us it was a very peaceful and restful place to stay, and we shall be returning next year. On a practical note, off-road parking is a definite plus.
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The cottage is quite simply unique, a genuine one off, a paragon of authenticity scrupulously tended by the wonderful owner Jane. Whoever stays is privileged and will on departure have not just stayed in a holiday cottage but will possess a rich experience. Not only is the cottage replete with its medieval features architecturally, it is furnished in keeping, and is maintained at just the right level of aesthetic sympathy wedded to visitor comfort. The Priory Cottage is entirely content with itself and its atmosphere of untrammelled peace, of stillness and great age.
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Old Priory Cottage is a haven of peace in its colourful, walled garden bounding with fruit and veg. The ancient house is a home-from-home, full of warmth and character as is Jane who lives next door. So much is accessible on foot such as the great castle, the village pubs, tearooms and the working flour-mill, the moors to your back, the sea ahead - my bet is you won't want to leave...
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A really wonderful place to stay. Peaceful with a unique atmosphere and no jarring modernisations to spoil your sense of stepping back in time. More a home than a self-catering cottage, Jane makes you feel very welcome and is a great part of your visit without being intrusive. The setting with the garden, Priory bells and Carillon are very special. More than worthy of the 20th Anniversary nomination for Special Place of the Year.
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Location
The neighbourhood
Between Exmoor and the Channel, Dunster is Britain’s most intact medieval village, complete with castle, yarn market and flour mill. It has good food too: in simple tea rooms, via pubs to smart restaurants like Reeves. Come under steam via the West Somerset Railway. Exmoor is great for hiking, horse-riding and biking; there’s bird-watching on the mud flats too. Book early for ‘Dunster by Candlelight’ in December
Local points of interest from Jane Forshaw
- Great for horse riding, mountain biking and walking
- Many historic houses and gardens in the area
- Fantastic birdwatching
- Good pubs and food available locally
- On the edge of Exmoor
- West Somerset Railway just ten minutes away
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Introducing
Jane Forshaw
Jane’s domain is one where the modern world is mostly kept at bay. She’s no fan of computers and is dedicated to preserving the soul of the ancient Priory in as green a way as possible. Engaging and down-to-earth, she has an artist’s eye for what works: her garden is a flowering, climbing, tumbling, fruitful joy; interiors are equally seductive: antique and book-filled. She also loves animals (especially her two bulldogs), theatre and literature.
Unusual place but we loved it - even got used to the Church Bells eventually!