Step back in time this December as Dunster village on Exmoor invites visitors to experience a magical medieval Christmas celebration. The Dunster Winter Festival returns for its second enchanting year from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7, turning the village into a bustling hub of heritage, music, food, and family entertainment.
The festivities begin with a grand Medieval Banquet held in the atmospheric Tithe Barn, expertly arranged by the award-winning Reeves Restaurant team. Guests can indulge in traditional fare such as dressed salmon, savory venison pies, and “funges,” a hearty mushroom broth, all paired with mead and classic medieval tarts. The banquet will be brought vividly to life by entertainers including jesters, singers, and lyre players, set against a backdrop of straw-strewn floors and hand-crafted pennants. Attendees are encouraged to don medieval attire to enhance the immersive experience. Tickets are priced at £60 and can be booked online.
Throughout the weekend, visitors of all ages can enjoy an interactive dive into medieval life. The Tithe Barn will host live demonstrations in archery, swordplay, and mock battles, featuring renowned groups like the Wessex Medieval Alliance and Bowlore. Children can join in supervised knightly battles, while the Memorial Hall will showcase traditional crafts such as spinning and weaving.
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On Saturday at 4 pm, historian Brian Hoggard will lead a fascinating talk, “Medieval Beliefs in Villages like Dunster,” uncovering the ancient rituals and symbols used to protect homes. Tickets for this insightful presentation cost £7 and are available via the festival website.
Sunday’s highlight will be a mesmerizing torch-lit procession at 2 pm, beginning at the Yarn Market and concluding at St George’s Church. The procession will be led by the acclaimed Mediaeval Baebes, who will also perform their haunting “Twelfth Moon” concert later that day. Tickets for the concert are £32.50, available through the Mediaeval Baebes’ official site.
Families are warmly invited to enjoy free activities organized by Homestart at the Exmoor National Park Centre. Offerings include festive craft-making, marshmallow snowman kits, reindeer food sessions, and a treasure trail with an Amazon Fire Kids Pro as the prize. Santa visits can be pre-booked for added holiday cheer.
Nearby Dunster Castle will be festive and open to visitors, with opportunities for children to meet Santa’s reindeer in the Green Court. Local businesses enhance the festival atmosphere with special menus, live music, a traditional hog roast, and an art exhibition at Ashleigh Bishop’s Gallery. The Dunster Community Orchard will serve warm mulled apple juice, while handmade medieval shields and a majestic Christmas tree from the Dunster Estate adorn the village.
Festival Director David Noad expressed enthusiasm for this year’s lineup: “We’re thrilled to bring together so many from our wonderful community for another fantastic Dunster Winter Festival. We’ve taken last year’s weather challenges on board, ensuring the 2025 festival is more weather-resilient and enjoyable for everyone.”
To ease travel, a shuttle bus service will operate daily between Minehead Train Station and Dunster from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Tickets are £2 for a single journey or £3 return (cash only), with free rides for children under 12.
For more details and the complete festival programme, visit www.dunsterwinterfestival.co.uk/festival-programme.