Dunster Castle

The castle rises dramatically above Minehead on a high mound, impossible to miss as you drive into town. Dunster Castle is properly impressive - a red sandstone fortress that's been modified and added to over centuries, so you get Norman keep, medieval walls, and Victorian rooms all mixed together. Inside, the rooms are genuinely interesting rather than dusty and roped-off. The main draw is the climb up through the grounds to the keep itself, which gives you proper views across Exmoor and down to the coast - worth the walk, though it's bit steep for what it is.

Histor buffs will spend a good two to three hours here, picking through the layers of ownership and renovation. Families with younger kids might find the rooms less gripping, though the grounds are nice for running about and the views alone justify the trip. The atmospheric courtyard and the sheer drama of the setting make it feel less like a museum and more like somewhere that was actually lived in.

It's a National Trust property, so membership gets you in free; otherwise you'll pay admission. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're doing the interior and the keep, longer if you fancy a proper explore of the grounds. From Butlins Minehead or the caravan club site it's only a short drive or walk up the hill. On a clear day it's worth timing your visit accordingly - the views are what make this place sing.