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A Dunster Castle View

Dunster Castle in Somerset captured from the main A39 road on a cold March day.

The castle was built on the side of a 200 ft steep hill called the Tor overlooking Dunster village. The original castle was a timber motte and bailey building built after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 by William de Mohun.
At the time the base of the Tor would have been surrounded by sea, offering a natural defence.

In the 13th Century the castle was partially rebuilt in stone and in 1330 the castle passed into the hands of John de Mohun who was soon severely in debt, leaving his wife Joan to take over the running of the estate. She agreed upon John's death to sell the castle to Elizabeth Lutterell when she herself died However Joan outlived Elizabeth and Sir Hugh Lutterell took over the castle in 1404.

The castle was extended and renovated over the years and the family lived in the property until the late 20th Century. In 1976 Colonel Walter Lutterell gave the castle and much of its contents to the National Trust.

Dunster Castle is a Grade 1 listed building

Here is a song by Don McLean 'Castles in the Air'

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI9NjQK_xm8

Details from wikipedia.

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82 comments

photosofghosts said:

The castle seems to be preserved in good condition and, thanks to this photo, we can admire it in all its details.
Warm greetings
Fabio
7 months ago

Ecobird replied to photosofghosts:

Thank you very much Fabio. It is open to the public and the grounds are lovely too. When we visited there years ago I loved the orange trees there

Best wishes Carol
7 months ago

Roger (Grisly) said:

Superb capture of this iconic west country castle on what looks to be a cold March day!
I note the differing window styles from additions over the centuries, I guess.
HWW!
p.s.great on large.
7 months ago

Roger (Grisly) replied to Roger (Grisly):

Thank you for posting your image in the group
www.ipernity.com/group/west.of.england
7 months ago

Ecobird replied to Roger (Grisly):

Thank you very much Roger. I am pleased you like it. It was good to be able to get this from the road as it is easier than up close

HWW
7 months ago

LotharW said:

*** eine sehr beeindruckende und gut erhaltene Burg. Tolle dokumentation, , Carol
7 months ago ( translate )

Ecobird said:

Thank you very much Lothar. As a National Trust property it will be preserved in good condition.
The Lutterells did actually lose it for a while. Crippling death duties meant it was sold but they continued to live there as tenants. They eventually bought it back before giving it to the National Trust.

Best wishes Carol
7 months ago

Peter_Private_Box said:

Hi Carol, and nice to see you back...
I like this picture very much!
It is a very different and exciting composition. As Roger says you can see the evolution of the castle by different stonework and windows...
Fantastic colours too
Best Wishes, HWW,, and stay safe!!
Peter
7 months ago

Ecobird replied to Peter_Private_Box:

Thank you very much Peter. That is really nice of you.

I guess the same can probably be said for a lot of castles of similar age, but it is nice that the additions and renovations here still seem to blend well despite the differences

Best wishes Carol
7 months ago

Armando Taborda said:

Interesting castle's history, Carol!...and great pic!
7 months ago

Malik Raoulda said:

Une superbe et excellente prise bien renseignée et bien documentée .
Bonne et heureuse fin de soirée paisible et reposante.
7 months ago ( translate )

Don Sutherland said:

Magnificent capture.
7 months ago ( translate )

Misou 49 said:

Belle photo de ce magnifique château !
7 months ago ( translate )

Joe, Son of the Rock said:

I love the angle from which you have photographed the castle, Carol. The colour contrast between the castle and the trees is excellent. Best wishes, Joe
7 months ago

Annemarie said:

Wish you a peaceful Wednesday.

a beautiful image
7 months ago ( translate )