Name: Dunster Butter Cross
Rating: 5.0

Dunster Butter Cross

Hanger's Way, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6RT, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Dunster Butter Cross Set on the outskirts of the charming village of Dunster, this transplanted stump of a medieval stone cross was once a meeting place for butter-sellers. The town of Dunster retains many fine historic buildings and monuments.

They include the medieval Butter Cross, which probably once stood at the south end of the market in the high street, where it was called the market cross or the high cross. Today it has been removed to a bank beside the Alcombe road, but it still has an important story to tell about the town.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Dunster Butter Cross: The town of Dunster retains many fine historic buildings and monuments. They include the medieval Butter Cross, which probably once stood at the south end of the market in the high street, where it was called the market cross or the high cross. Today it has been removed to a bank beside the Alcombe road, but it still has an important story to tell about the town.
A trading place: The cross dates from the 15th century, when Dunster was a prosperous small town, with an important market that was a centre for the local wool and cloth trade. Many English towns and villages had such a cross, usually standing in a market or on a crossroads. These crosses reminded the viewer of the death (and therefore the resurrection) of Jesus. They also acted as local landmarks, and a stopping point for religious processions.
Nearby places of interest: Dunster has much else to offer the visitor. A good place to start is at the Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre, which tells the story of the wool trade centred on Dunster.
The priory church is mostly 15th-century but is Norman in origin, and contains the tombs of the Luttrell family, owners of Dunster Castle, and a fine rood screen. The monastic tithe barn and circular 13th-century dovecote stand near the church, and there are fragments of another medieval cross in the churchyard near the west door.
Further Reading: Historic England entry for Dunster Butter Cross [note that the description of the cross as a ‘wayside’ rural cross is probably incorrect; see the evidence in the Victoria County History volume, below]

Facilities

Parking: Charged parking is available within the village (car park postcode TA24 6SE), not managed by English Heritage.
Food & Drinks: Dunster has plenty of options for eating and shopping.
Drinks: Public toilets can be found next to the car park in the village.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/butter-cross/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Hanger's Way, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6RT, UK

Post Code: TA24 6RT

Council: Somerset

County: Somerset

Road Access: Beside minor road to Alcombe, 350 metres (400 yards) north-west of Dunster parish church.
Bus Access: Beacon Bus service 398. Also Riddlers service 107 (Wed only) & Quantock service 564 (Mon & Fri only). First service 28 and Webber Bus services 18 & 106 serve Dunster Steep with a 1⁄2 mile walk.
Train Access: Dunster (West Somerset Railway) 1 mile.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: Charged parking is available within the village (car park postcode TA24 6SE), not managed by English Heritage.