DUNSTER Castle will once again be taking part in the annual two nights of Dunster by Candlelight.

Now celebrating its 30th year, it has become a well-established and popular part of the pre-Christmas countdown.

For two nights the village is lit atmospherically by candlelight and visitors are entertained by various street performers and musicians.

On Friday December 2 and Saturday December 3,  Dunster Castle will be dramatically floodlit in coloured lights and the Hall will be filled with the sound of choirs and musicians performing both traditional and more contemporary festive music.

Performances over the weekend will include the Taunton Preparatory School choir, Quantock Musical Theatre choir and musicians Hazel Prior and Saffron Summerfield playing the Celtic Harp, acoustic guitar and singing in the Inner Hall.

"This has become a well-established annual tradition and a great way for family and friends to begin the countdown to Christmas and enjoy a wonderful evening together," said John Lax, visitor services manager at Dunster Castle.

The ground floor rooms of the Castle will be dressed to show Christmas through the ages, with visitors having much greater access within the Drawing Room.

Some rooms will reflect the Castle’s more recent history - from the 1930s and 1950s - whilst others will be from a Victorian Christmas.

The decorations in each room will mirror the period in which they are furnished and show how they may have been used in the festive traditions established by the Luttrell family who were the castle owners for 600 years.

Throughout December, there will be a decorated 14ft high Christmas tree in the Outer Hall opposite the entrance Porch in the Castle as well as Christmas trees in the Drawing room, Billiard room, Library, and on the landing of the grand oak staircase.

The 18th-century working watermill will also be milling by Candlelight over both evenings. A chance for visitors to see the milling in action, explore the Watermill and find out more about the milling process in the atmospheric mill with its unusual double waterwheels.

Hot chocolate and handmade large cookie biscuits will be available in the Castle and the historic 17th-century stables will be filled with local crafts and food stall holders.

The National Trust shop will also be open late both nights, stocked with Christmas gift ideas as well as the flour and milling products produced on the site.

For more information on Christmas at Dunster Castle please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle For more information about Dunster by Candlelight please visit: www.dunsterbycandlelight.co.uk