Dunster Yarn Market, Dunster (Somerset)

Introduction

 This fine 17th-century timberframed octagonal market hall is a monument to Dunster's once-flourishing cloth trade.

History to the present day

 The Yarn Market in Dunster, Somerset, England was built around 1590 and has been desinated as a Grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument.
The octagonal structure has a central stone pier which supports a heavy timber framework which carries a slate roof with central wooden lantern surmounted by a weather vane.

Dunster had become a centre for woollen and clothing production by the 13th century, with the market dating back to at least 1222, and a particular kind of kersey or broadcloth became known as 'Dunsters'. Around 1590 George Luttrell, of the Luttrell family constructed the market to shelter traders and their wares from the rain.

One of the roof beams has a hole in it, a result of cannon fire in the Civil War, when Dunster Castle was a besieged Royalist stronghold for five months under the command of Colonel Wyndham. Following the damage, it was restored in 1647 to its present condition.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Dunster Yarn Market, Somerset, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

All year

Any reasonable time

Mon - Sun

 

Admission prices:

 

Adult:Free

Children:Free

Concession:Free

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photographic Library.