Monday, August 12, 2013

Dunster Castle

We are all packed up and ready to leave for London. Our train departs in a couple of hours, so I thought I would post one last story from Somerset.

We have loved our month in the southwest corner of England. On Friday we visited another lovely National Trust site. Dunster Castle. There has been a structure on this land for the past 1,000 years.




And you all know if there's a tour, Joe and I are on it! Well, wouldn't you know it? Two minutes after we arrived at the castle, a kitchen tour tour was about to begin. As I've said before, I cannot get enough of this stuff!

Our guide told us that the whole 'Upstairs Downstairs' thing was a Victorian invention. Back in the 1600s when Dunster Castle was built, the main building was divided in half. The servants lived on the right side and the family lived on the left.


We also learned that many basement kitchens in manor houses have fallen into disrepair over the past century. It's only because of TV shows like 'Upstairs Downstairs' and 'Downton Abbey' that there has been interest in these rooms from the public. Restoration is currently going on to restore the kitchen rooms to their former glory.



We were allowed in all of the rooms upstairs and could wander at will. The rooms were beautifully appointed.




And each room had its own docent to answer any questions or to give more history of the inhabitants.




There was a dress-up room in the castle where visitors could try on coats and capes and armour and hats. Whaddaya think of my new look?




The views of Minehead beach were lovely. On a clear day you can all the way to Wales.




As always, a wander through the village is required afterwards. And a stop at an inn. Touring castles makes me so thirsty! So a beer and a ploughman's lunch it is then!




We have LOVED our time in Somerset! What a beautiful part of the world. We will be back!

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