Dunster, Yarn Market
Minehead, Somerset
A 17th century octagonal market hall in the middle of Dunster high street, a village stop with your dog rather than a site visit.
You cannot miss it and you do not need a ticket. The Yarn Market is a fine 17th century timber framed octagonal market hall standing in the middle of Dunster's high street, built when the village was a serious centre of the cloth trade. Traders sold Dunster cloth under its roof, and the deep overhanging eaves let buyers inspect fabric out of the rain.
As you look up at the roof structure and find the hole in one rafter said to have been made by a Civil War cannonball, your dog gets village walking rather than a site visit, and Dunster is a good place for it: a compact medieval high street, the castle grounds above, the packhorse bridge at Gallox and footpaths onto Grabbist Hill and Exmoor beyond.
Free, open, and standing in a public street, so there is nothing to plan. No dog guidance is posted for the market because there is nothing to enclose. Keep your dog on a lead for traffic on the high street, which gets busy with visitors in summer. Several pubs and cafés in the village welcome dogs.
At a Glance
- Site Type
- Medieval & Tudor
- Entry
- Free
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
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Planning Your Visit
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dunster, Yarn Market dog friendly?
Yes — the Yarn Market is a free-standing structure in the middle of a public street, so there is nothing to enclose and no dog restrictions apply. Your dog is welcome to join you as you take in the 17th century timber-framed building, and Dunster village itself makes for a pleasant outing, with dog-friendly pubs and cafés nearby.
Are dogs allowed at Dunster, Yarn Market year round?
As an open structure on a public street, the Yarn Market is accessible at any time of year with no admission, tickets, or opening hours to consider. Bear in mind that the high street can get busy with visitors during summer, so a lead is sensible for your dog's safety around traffic.
What should I know before visiting Dunster, Yarn Market with my dog?
There is very little to plan — the market hall is free, open, and sits right on the high street, so you can simply turn up. Keep your dog on a lead given the traffic on the high street, particularly in summer. If you want to make a longer day of it, the village also offers the castle grounds, the packhorse bridge at Gallox, and footpaths onto Grabbist Hill and Exmoor beyond.
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