Crown Estate Exmoor

The Crown Estate is one of the largest landowners in the UK with a diverse portfolio that includes substantial blocks of urban property, more than 120,000 hectares, of agricultural land and forestry, over half of the foreshore and the UK territorial seabed out to the 12 nautical mile limit. It is managed under the provisions of the Crown Estate Act (1961) by the Crown Estate Commissioners who have a duty to maintain and enhance the capital value and income obtained from it. The Crown Estate also aims to manage the assets to the highest standards to achieve the best balance between its commercial, environmental and social responsibilities.

The Crown Estate is not the property of the Government, nor is it the Sovereign's private estate. It is part of the hereditary possessions of the Sovereign 'in right of the Crown'. Its origins go back to the reign of King Edward the Confessor and, until the accession of King George III, the Sovereign received its rents and profits. However, since 1760, the annual surplus revenue after deducting management expenses has been surrendered to the Government in return for the Civil List. Today, the annual surplus is in excess of £130 million and is paid to the Exchequer for the ultimate benefit of the taxpayer.

The Crown Estate owns a lot of land on Exmoor. The forests and woodlands within The Crown Estate's Dunster Estate extend to some 1,427 hectares (3,526 acres) and consist of a mixture of native trees such as oak and beech and other species, including pines, cedars and Douglas Firs.

The Crown Estate's Dunster Estate comprises 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) of the West Somerset countryside, from rolling moor to open sea.  Valued at around £6 billion The Crown Estate across the whole of the country manages a wide range of land and properties across the UK. From offices to shops, agricultural land to affordable housing, ancient forests to parkland. And it also owns over half the foreshore and almost the entire seabed around the UK.

In line with the principles first established in 1760 by George III and the Government of the day, the surplus revenue from The Crown Estate goes to the Treasury for the benefit of all UK taxpayers. In return the monarch receives a fixed annual payment, the Civil List. Today its responsibilities are laid down by Parliament in The Crown Estate Act 1961, which requires it to enhance the value of its land and property and the income they generate through good and responsible management.

From national parks such as Cairngorms and Exmoor, national landmarks such as Regent Street or parts of Britain's national history such as Windsor Great Park, The Crown Estate's properties attract millions of visitors and tourists every year.

A giant Douglas fir in the Crown Estate's Dunster Forest has been measured at just over 60 metres, or 197 feet, making it the tallest tree in England by some three metres.  It can be found at  Broadwood Road, near Dunster, this Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) that has been measured at more than 60m (197ft) tall which makes it the tallest tree in the country?

To celebrate this, The Crown Estate has designed an all-abilities Tall Trees Trail that will snake its way past the tallest tree and its lofty companions, so that people can get a true sense of the scale of these amazing living giants.

The new trail will link with the extensive existing trail network, and provides an additional 300m of track suitable for wheelchairs and buggies - all within easy reach of the popular Nutcombe Bottom car park.

• Gallox Bridge: a medieval packhorse bridge that crosses the River Avill and was being used hundreds of years before Henry VIII came to the throne.
•  Bats Castle: remnant of a circular enclosure that dates from the Iron Age (100-400BC) and would have been home to a Warrior Chief, his people and their livestock. Today it is accessible via waymarked trails and offers spectacular views of Dunster, Dunkery Beacon
• and the surrounding Exmoor and West Somerset coast and countryside.
• Black Hill: a 200 acre (81ha) area of open heathland on the edge of Dunster Forest and also part of our waymarked trails. From here you can see far across the Bristol Channel to the Brecon Beacons.
• Nutcombe Bottom car park: with space for 40 cars and a short distance from Dunster, offers a play and picnic area and is the start of many of our waymarked trails
• All of these are fully open to the public, and people of all abilities and ages are encouraged to explore and enjoy the special qualities of this unique estate.
• The Dunster Estate comprises 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) of the West Somerset countryside and lies mostly within Exmoor National Park.
• Settlements on the estate date back to 350BC, though the actual development of the estate began in 1066 when Dunster Castle was built by William de Mohun. The estate was further developed by the Luttrell family (1370s-1950s), who made Dunster Castle as it stands today, along with the Deer Park, Conygar Tower and the Dunster Water Mill.
• The Crown Estate has owned the Dunster Estate since the 1950s and it primarily comprises prime agricultural and forest land
•  The National Trust acquired the Dunster Castle in 1976.
• The Crown Estate welcomes walkers to explore our three waymarked walking trails, which vary from a 1.5 mile gentle stroll amongst the forest trees, to a 9 mile route that takes the more adventurous walker up to the breathtaking views on Black Hill and Bats Castle.
• Cyclists are also welcome to enjoy one of our three cycle trails, that vary from a mile long family trail, to the 6 mile long intermediate trail, or the 9 mile explorer trail.
• Trails can be accessed from Nutcombe Bottom car park,

or from Dunster Village, and connect up to the 1000km long Exmoor National Park rights of way network. This means you can enjoy the Dunster Estate as part of a longer trek, on foot, bike or horseback, across this unique area of historic interest and natural beauty.
 

The Crown Estate
19 New Burlington Place London W1S 2HX
Tel 0207 851 5000

or the local office at Dunster:

The Crown Estate Office
Loxhole Sawmill,
Dunster Minehead, Somerset TA24 6NY
Tel 01643 821309

You can download walk details here.

Dunster & Exmoor_walks Map

Dunster & Exmoor walks - back Page

See also:

www.thecrownestate.co.uk

www.crownestate.co.uk

Contributed by: Sarah Good