WSR Weekend & Midweek Breaks
• The West Somerset Railway – in conjunction with the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster – is offering the opportunity to experience a nostalgic visit to a heritage steam railway combined with elegant and comfortable accommodation in the picturesque village of Dunster. Three options are available:-
| · The "Coastal Weekender" includes an evening meal on the WSR’s “Coastal Belle”. |
| · The "Gourmet Experience" has been designed to give an experience on the WSR, plus an opportunity to sample the delights of West Country cuisine. |
| · "Wander, Steam and Ramble" caters for those who will enjoy walking in beautiful moorland and coastal surroundings. |
The Coastal Weekender |
| Friday | |
| · | Arrive in Dunster and book into the Yarn Market Hotel at your leisure. |
| · | Take time to wander around the historic village of Dunster and visit Dunster Castle. |
| · | Your evening meal will be served in your Hotel. |
| · | During the evening a representative of the WSR will make a short presentation on the Railway and answer any questions you may have. |
| Saturday | |
| · | After your leisurely breakfast in the Hotel a short walk will take you to Dunster Station in time to catch the 10.21am steam train. Leave enough time to explore the station and talk to the joint Station Masters. |
| · | Your Day Rover Ticket for use on the WSR will allow you to choose when and where you wish to leave the Railway and re-join after a walk. Plan your own day’s activities around the Railway. |
| · | A platelayers lunch will be given to you on the train so you can take it with you (sandwiches from selection on the train). |
| · | Make sure you catch the last train back to Dunster and arrive there at 5.08pm. |
| · | Transport will be arranged to take you from your Hotel to Minehead Station where you will board the “Coastal Belle” for your evening meal aboard the West Somerset Railway. The train will travel to Bishops Lydeard with a short stop-over at this station. On arrival back in Minehead your transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Dunster. |
| Sunday | |
| · | After your leisurely breakfast you will check out of your Hotel. Your Day Rover Ticket for use on the WSR will allow you to choose when and where you wish to travel on the Railway. Plan your own day’s activities around the Railway, making sure you allow time to travel home. A packed lunch will be provided by the Hotel so you can take it with you. |
| · | There will be an option to extend your stay at the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster if you wish. |
Price: £140.00 per person (Children 5-12 years of age - £85.00)
Gourmet Experience |
| Monday 23rd June | |
| · | Arrive in Dunster and book into the Yarn Market Hotel at your leisure. Leave time to wander around the historic village of Dunster before your evening meal in your Hotel. |
| · | The meal this evening will have a special theme of a carvery offering a selection of Somerset meats. |
| · | During the evening a representative of the WSR will make a short presentation about the Railway and answer any questions you may have. The WSR representative will also act as your host on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. |
| Tuesday 24th June | |
| · | After your leisurely breakfast in the Hotel a short walk will take you to Dunster Station. Here you will meet one or both of the twin brothers who are joint Station Masters at Dunster and have a chance to look around the restored station. Dunster is the first station from Minehead on the WSR and your train will arrive at 10.21am. |
| · | Your Rover Ticket will guarantee you an enjoyable ride along the Somerset coast and through the Quantock Hills on a heritage steam train. It will allow you to plan your own day’s journey, ensuring that you arrive in Bishops Lydeard station to catch the 4.05pm departure to Dunster. |
| · | You will be provided with a WSR ‘Platelayers Lunch’ (sandwiches from selection on the train). |
| · | On arrival at Bishops Lydeard you will have a chance to visit the museum and gift shop on the station. |
| · | You will board the 4.05pm train from Bishops Lydeard and travel by steam back to Dunster. During your journey you will be served a West Country cream tea using all locally produced ingredients. |
| · | Transport will meet you again at Dunster Station for the short journey back to your Hotel. |
| · | This evening a Buffet Supper offering a choice of curries will be available, and you will have the opportunity to take part in a Beetle Drive Evening. |
| Wednesday 25th June | |
| · | This morning you will be able to take a look around Dunster village after your breakfast in the Hotel. |
| · | A leisurely stroll will take you to Dunster Station in time to catch the 12.21pm steam train to the historic port of Watchet. A fish and chip lunch will be available for you on the train. Take time to explore the old port and new marina, and possibly visit the Watchet Museum. |
| · | You will return to Dunster on the 2.52pm steam train, and another leisurely stroll will take you back to the Hotel. |
| · | The meal this evening will have a special theme of a Steak Evening using prime Exmoor beef. |
| Thursday 26th June | |
| · | After breakfast in the Hotel, a heritage bus will collect you and take you on tour over Exmoor. You will visit the legendary Doone Valley and enjoy the magnificent views of coast and country on your leisurely journey. |
| · | Lunch will be booked for you at an Inn on Exmoor. |
| · | During the late afternoon you will return to your Hotel in Dunster in time for a special farewell six- course candlelit turkey roast dinner. |
| Friday 27th June | |
| · | After breakfast you will check out of the Yarn Market Hotel and make your way back home. |
| · | There will be an option to extend your stay at the Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster over the weekend if you wish. |
Price: £225.00 per person (Children under 12 years of age - £115.00)
Wander, Steam & Ramble |
| Monday 1st September | |
| · | Arrive in Dunster and book into the Yarn Market Hotel at your leisure. |
| · | Take time to wander around the historic village of Dunster and visit Dunster Castle. |
| · | Your evening meal will be served in your Hotel. During the evening a representative of the WSR will make a short presentation on the Railway and answer any questions you may have. The WSR representative will act as your Courier on Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday the staff at the Yarn Market Hotel will act as your Hosts. |
| Tuesday 2nd September | |
| · | After a leisurely breakfast at your Hotel, one of the National Park Rangers based on Exmoor will come to the Hotel and meet you. The Ranger will escort you on a guided walk that will start and finish at your Hotel. |
| · | A packed lunch will be provided for you by the Hotel, and you will return there for your evening meal. |
| · | During the evening there will be videos of the WSR available for you to view while you relax in the guests lounge. |
| Wednesday 3rd September | |
| · | A short walk will take you to Dunster Station in time to catch the 10.21am steam train. Leave enough time to explore the station and talk to the joint Station Masters. |
| · | Your Day Rover Ticket for use on the WSR will allow you to choose when and where you wish to leave the Railway and re-join after a walk. Plan your own day’s activities around the Railway using the many walks and rambles available. A ‘Platelayers Lunch’ (with sandwiches from selection on the train) will be given to you on the train so you can take it with you on your walks. |
| · | Make sure you catch the last train back to Dunster and arrive there at 5.08pm. |
| · | Your evening meal will be served in your Hotel. |
| Thursday 4th September | |
| · | After breakfast in the Hotel a heritage bus will collect you and take you on tour over Exmoor. You will visit the legendary Doone Valley and enjoy the magnificent views of coast and country on your leisurely journey. |
| · | Lunch will be booked for you at an Inn on Exmoor. |
| · | During the late afternoon you will return to your Hotel in Dunster in time for your evening meal. |
| Friday 5th September | |
| · | After breakfast you will check out of the Yarn Market Hotel and make your way back home. |
| · | There will be an option to extend your stay at the Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster over the weekend if you wish. This weekend will be the West Somerset Railway’s “Murder Mystery” Weekend. |
Price: £220.00 per person (Children under 12 years of age - £115.00)
How to book |
If you are interested in any of these Weekend or Midweek Breaks please contact:
The Yarn Market Hotel
High Street, Dunster, Somerset TA24 6SF
Tel: 01643 821425 Fax: 01643 821475
e-mail: yarnmarket.hotel@virgin.net
Last updated: 26 May 2003