Simonsbath

Simonsbath is a small village in the centre of Exmoor. The large Simonsbath House was the original residence of John Knight’s family, who farmed Exmoor in the 1800’s and built farmsteads and divided the moor into plots with stone walling, most of which we still see today.

The River Barle passes through the valley, rising only a few miles to the west at Pinkery Pond. Pinkery Pond was also built by by John Knight, but it is not certain for what reason. There are signs of a canal or leat going towards Simonsbath from the pond, but it was never completed.

There is a sawmill that the National Park restored and is now used to cut sessile oak for signs and gates. It is powered from a leat getting water further upstream of the river. On the other side of the road is Boevey’s tearooms. There is a good-sized car park where several good walks start from.