Can you spot the knitted bees and colourful blossoms hiding in the nooks and crannies of Dunster Castle?

Step through ancient doorways, peer around cosy fireplaces and look high and low as you follow the trail through the castle’s historic rooms. Each hidden creation brings a burst of colour and a reminder of the busy world of nature just beyond the castle walls. This indoor trail invites families to explore together, spark curiosity and discover how bees and blossoms play their part in the changing seasons.

Daily from 16-22nd May, 2026
Normal admission applies for non‑members
No booking required-simply come along and join the adventure!

01643821314 dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

This self‑led trail is designed to guide you around some of the rare, unusual, and historically significant trees that help make Dunster Castle & Gardens such a special place. Pick up your free trail map from the Visitor Reception building, then set off at your own pace. Perfect for families, nature‑lovers, and curious wanderers alike, this gentle trail invites you to slow down, look up, and see Dunster Castle from a fresh perspective. Normal admission applies to non-members.

01643821314 dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

The Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster, based within Exmoor National Park, has a 3 night residential break on a Dinner Bed and Breakfast basis, with packed lunches on Wednesday and Thursday with guided walks, in conjunction with the Exmoor National Park Nature Festival 2026. An Experienced guide and transportation for walks included.
All walks will be at a casual pace, allowing time to enjoy the views and experience nature.

Tuesday: Arrival—Local walk of 4 or 5 miles
Wednesday : Day walk—Coastal circular—10 miles maximum
Thursday : Day walk—Moorland circular—10 miles maximum
Friday: Morning walk of up to 5 miles before departing hotel.
The cost is £330.00 per person inclusive (no single supplements).

hotel@yarnmarkethotel.co.uk

** CANCELLED BY HOST ** Relaxing walk through this beautiful ancient woodland, sensory led immersion,  breathing deeply, listening to nature sounds and noticing the textures and smells of leaves and bark in the forest. Full body meditation under the canopy of trees followed by herbal tea. Finally, experience and join in some wonderful harmonies and songs of nature led by a professional singing coach. You do not have to be musical or be able to read music. Please email or phone for more information and booking.

£25pp Meet at Horner National Trust Car Park  ///slanting.protrude.buns

karinmiamiller@gmail.com

The South West Heritage Trust is hosting a half-day creative workshop inspired by the life and work of artist and writer Hope Bourne. Led by Somerset artists InkJam, the session invites participants to create printed artworks that reflect the landscapes and wildlife of Exmoor you are invited to “Capture Exmoor in a Carton,” combining creativity and sustainability by reusing materials such as Tetra Pak cartons to make printing plates capturing the essence of Exmoor through drawing of wildlife and landscapes.

You will learn to print from the plates using the Intaglio method and introducing chine collé to add colour, texture, and recycled elements to your prints. There will also be opportunities to explore techniques such as cyanotype and silk-screen printing.

The workshop celebrates the legacy of Hope Bourne (1918–2010), a respected artist, writer, and creator who lived off-grid on Exmoor for much of her life. Bourne’s work focused on the natural beauty of the area, and she produced thousands of drawings and paintings. She also wrote and illustrated seven books and contributed a weekly column to the West Somerset Free Press.

FREE event but booking required.

01823 278805 info@swheritage.org.uk

Join one of our expert gardeners for a guided walk through the grounds of Dunster Castle and discover some of the remarkable native and exotic trees that call this historic place home.

As you explore, you’ll learn what makes these trees so special-from their origins and unique characteristics to the stories they’ve gathered over centuries. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the gardens through the eyes of the people who care for them every day. The walk lasts approximately one hour. Online Booking Essential- as limited spaces are available. There is no additional charge for the tour, but normal admission applies for non–National Trust members. Pre-booked ticket holders should meet at the Ticket Office at 11am, where a member of the garden team will meet you.

01643821314 dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

An easy paced stroll to discover the natural history within the wonderful landscape around Porlock Weir.

01643 863124 ruthehyett@gmail.com

How can poetry illuminate and deepen our relationship with the natural world? Join award-winning poets Jane Lovell, Mark Haworth-Booth and Graeme Ryan at Exmoor House, Dulverton for readings and conversation that explore Exmoor’s wildness, beauty and resilience in this changing world.
The evening will begin with a short reading by local poet Christopher Jelley from his new publication Cliques of the Moon.

Light refreshments on arrival. £7.50pp. Booking essential.

01598 752509 npclynmouth@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk