Walking Moonraker — Dunster & Bat's Castle Loop

This walk starts in Dunster, one of the most complete historic villages in the South West, and quickly leaves that behind for something quieter and more open.

Leaving the village, the route begins to climb. At first the surroundings feel enclosed, with trees and hedgerows shaping the path, but that changes steadily as you gain height. The shift is gradual, and before long the views begin to open out.

The climb to Bat’s Castle is the heart of the walk. It is not extreme, but it is steady enough to make you feel like you have earned the view. At the top, the landscape changes again. Open ground, wider skies, and a sense of space take over.

Bat’s Castle itself is an Iron Age hillfort, subtle rather than dramatic, but clearly defined once you know what to look for. Low earthworks mark its outline, and the position makes its purpose obvious, commanding views over the surrounding land.

From here, the walk becomes more relaxed. The return loop allows you to take in different angles on the landscape, gradually dropping back down towards Dunster. The reappearance of the village, with its rooftops and narrow streets, feels like a return to something busier after time spent out on the edge of Exmoor.