Why You Should Visit Dulverton
Dulverton is a town and a civil parish in West Somerset and is considered to be the southern gateway to Exmoor National Park; the town is located within Exmoor, near the Devon border, at the southern edge of the Park.
This popular tourist town is situated in a beautiful wooded area, at the foot of the Barle Valley not far from where the River Barle joins the River Exe. A prehistoric clapper bridge dating from 1,000 B.C., known as the Tarr Steps is located on the River Barle; it is built entirely of mammoth sized slabs of stone, which is truly a sight to see for its ingenuity of design, as well as for its simplistic beauty. The Tarr Steps have been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building. There are also many medieval bridges to visit near Dulverton, and though this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the earliest mention of the town is circa 1084 as dieglaford-tun meaning "hidden ford"-tun, with the Domesday Book recording it as Dolvertune; the inference being that it may have been a royal manner prior to the Norman Conquest. Additionally, Oldberry Castle and Mounsey Castle, Iron Age hillforts are within sight of Dulverton.
As the town developed it was primarily known as a market town, holding weekly fairs and markets; and by the Middle Ages the wool trade in Dulverton developed into a small industry. The industrial aspect of the town remains small and closely related to the agricultural nature of the land within Exmoor; with the Park itself creating a modern tourism industry. The quintessential Georgian and Victorian setting of the town has retained its quaintness and quiet lifestyle through the generations, and has even retained the extremely narrow streets near the town centre; with only a touch of modernity peeking through on the small estate that houses post-war bungalows at the northern part of the town. Since this is considered a gateway town to Exmoor, Dulverton has become the headquarters for the Exmoor National Park Authority (NPA Visitor Centre); additionally the town is in close proximity to abundant flora and fauna, much of which are in a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as is Briggins Moor situated just to the south of Dulverton.
There are two old churches in the town; the medieval parish Church of All Saints located in Bank Square, a Grade II listed building that still has its 15th century tower which underwent restorative reconstruction in the mid 1800's, whereas the Congregational Church in Chapel Street was designed and built in the 1800's. There are several other buildings of interest, such as the market house in Fore Street built about 1760 that was converted to a town hall in 1866; as well as Exmoor House where the NPA is presently located. Just behind Exmoor House is the Guildhall Heritage and Arts Centre, which is usually open to the public between April and October, and is a place of interest that offers not only exhibitions of arts and crafts, but also provides an Archive Room where you can listen to an Oral History of Exmoor.
Outdoor activities are abundant in Dulverton, there are walking tours to Winsford Hill, or the Iron Age hillforts, the waymarked riverside walks that follow the picturesque Valley; or sports that include tennis, kayaking or mountain biking on the cycling trails that pass through Dulverton. For horse riding enthusiasts there are the Exmoor ponies currently considered a rare breed which the Moorland Mousie Trust has been working to preserve. There is also a large park and pond in Dulverton; and a statue of "Lorna Doone" in the riverside meadow to commemorate R D Blackmore's novel which mentions Dulverton in the legend of "Lorna Doone", which is set in the late 17th century of Devon and Somerset with descriptions of the moorlands, which are virtually the same as when Blackmore wrote his novels.
The activities in Dulverton itself are numerous, with an Annual Carnival on the first Saturday of October, the Folk Festival and concerts during the year, an annual pantomime by the Dulverton Players, drama groups that visit during the year and of course, Dulverton by Starlight which is the first weekend in December. Add to this the prolific talents of artists, craftsmen and glassmakers who live and exhibit their creations in Dulverton, and you have something to please not only the tourist, but for those who seek to satisfy their aesthetic pleasure from nature, there is the raw beauty of Exmoor.
Where is Dulverton?Dulverton is located off the A396 near the southern edge of Exmoor National Park in Somerset. The nearest populated areas include Tiverton to the south and Dunster to the north.
Have you ever visited Dulverton?Is Dulverton your favourite place to stay during the holidays? Should Dulverton be on everyone's list of must-see travel destinations? Tell us why, we're interested. Let us know what you think about Dulverton — your comments may be published on this website.