Exmoor National Park was designated in 1954 to protect its natural beauty, especially its open and wild moorlands. Who would have thought that only 130 years before, serious attempts were made to drain the bogs and plough up the moors?
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Exmoor National Park has a hidden secret, a mansion that was never completed, a garden that was lost and a community that was started only 200 years ago.
In what people know to be Exmoor today, lies the small village of Simonsbath. Until 1820 it had just one house, but then change happened, a vision was created and a barren landscape became a hive of activity. This website tells it's story; the story of a landscape changed, a family's fortune and loss and of one man's vision. It also talks about the present situation and of its possible future. Please read on to find out this fascinating tale of Gregorian passion, Victorian industrialisation and 21st Century hopes. |
Latest Event News:
Special Event for Residents of Simonsbath and the Parish of Exmoor...
Friday 28th February
Exciting News for all Residents of Simonsbath and the Parish of Exmoor. Come along to a parish event and have a look at the newly restored White Rock Cottage and Old School. Invites will be coming through your door in the next few weeks.
There will be other events for those who live outside the parish, later in the year. You have not been forgotten!
There will be other events for those who live outside the parish, later in the year. You have not been forgotten!
First Official Meeting in Simonsbath Old School
Thursday 30th January 2020 was the date of the first official use of the newly restored Simonsbath Old School which was originally built in 1857 by the Knight family. It was wonderful for the Exmoor Parish Council (EPC) to finally have a meeting place that was allowed under parish council rules.
The EPC are grateful to both The Exmoor Forest Inn and also The Sportsman Inn for the use of their establishments over the years as venues for parish meetings but under council rules, public houses can only be used if there is nowhere else to meet. Now there is a community space in the parish, the council must use that for meetings.
As you can see, the Simonsbath Old School is beautiful with an amazing staircase leading to a stage and wonderful arched windows at the other end. It has no facilities yet or chairs and tables but these will come. This incredible building of historical significance is now safe and secure and that was the first priority.
The EPC are grateful to both The Exmoor Forest Inn and also The Sportsman Inn for the use of their establishments over the years as venues for parish meetings but under council rules, public houses can only be used if there is nowhere else to meet. Now there is a community space in the parish, the council must use that for meetings.
As you can see, the Simonsbath Old School is beautiful with an amazing staircase leading to a stage and wonderful arched windows at the other end. It has no facilities yet or chairs and tables but these will come. This incredible building of historical significance is now safe and secure and that was the first priority.
CANCELLED...Saturday 9th November
Simonsbath Sparkle - an event to celebrate the Autumn with food and a bonfire has sadly had to be cancelled this year. We do hope to hold it next year in the Cottage and School Garden. As it is still a building site at present, we are unable to hold the event this year.
Past Events...
Monday 16th Sept 2019
Heritage Open Day
On Monday 16th September the White Rock Cottage and Old School held a Heritage Open Day and 60+ people walked behind the security gates to look at the restoration of the buildings. It was a damp day but that did not deter those who waited patiently for Rob Wilson-North and Tom Thurlow of ENPA to show them around the building site. Now that the scaffolding is down you can finally see the crofter’s cottage and old school building and for those who were past pupils it was a chance to bring back memories. We were also lucky to have the Great Granddaughter of a Fortesque woodsman, David Hoggan, who arrived from Fife in 1897 to live in Jubilee Villa next to the school, with his wife and 4 children and when they returned to Fife in 1912, they had a total of 10 children! The lady’s ancestors were in some of the photos on display and it was great making these people come to life through her stories. Other people came to see the work in the gardens that the volunteers have been doing every month since March 2019. The stream clearance, rock cleaning and path drainage is on going and the group love to turn up to get stuck in. The volunteers took great delight in telling everyone at the Open Day all about the gardens. The Simonsbath and Exmoor Parish Trust hope to get the charity commission go ahead by December and that is also the time that the building work should be finished so exciting times ahead. The Simonsbath Sparkle will be on Saturday 9th November but the venue is yet to be confirmed. Full details will be in next months Across Exmoor so keep the date free.
Saturday 23rd August 2019
Exford and Simonsbath Flower Show was on Saturday 23rd August at 2pm on the village green. A stand was there with information about the Simonsbath and Exmoor Heritage Trust and Ashcombe Gardens. Many people came to find out what was happening at the gardens and had seen the coverage on BBC1's Countryfile in the spring were keen to know more.
National Park Big Picnic
Wednesday 17th July 2019
National Park Big Picnic celebrating 70 years of National Parks was held in Simonsbath and was attended by TRHs The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
TRHs The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall talking to Steven Pugsley - Chair of the Simonsbath Steering Group about the Simonsbath and Exmoor Trust and the Ashcombe Garden Project.
HRH discussing ferns with Charlotte Hornsby - Volunteer of Ashcombe Garden Project.
HRH meeting staff and volunteers of the ENPA many of who work on the Ashcombe Gardens.
BBC1 Countryfile National Parks programme Sunday 7th April 2019
John Knight's Ashcombe Gardens in Simonsbath were on BBC1 Countryfile. The lovely Margherita Taylor was shown around the garden by Rob Wilson-North and also talked to volunteers who were planting yew and box on a steep slope.
Coffee Morning at St Luke's Simonsbath,
Saturday 6th April 2019
Coffee Morning held at St Like's Church, Simonsbath to keep local residents and visitors up to date with the latest news about the White Rock Cottage, School and Ashcombe Gardens.
Simonsbath Sparkle
Saturday 10th November 2018
Ashcombe Plantation, Simonsbath.
A lovely event was held in Ashcombe Gardens, Simonsbath to celebrate the Autumn Season around a bonfire. Fire was lit at 6pm and all who came enjoyed hot food, tea and coffee and sparklers. The event was held in conjunction with The Simonsbath Steering Group, The Exmoor Parish Council and ENPA
In Search of John Knight's Lost Gardens
at Simonsbath
Open Day
Wednesday 27th June 2018
10am-1pm
This was a chance to see archaeological excavations in progress - led by South West Archaeology with local volunteers - searching for elements of John Knight's lost gardens which he laid out in the 1820's to ornament his planned mansion.
In Search of John Knight's Lost Gardens
at Simonsbath
Open Day
Wednesday 27th June 2018
10am-1pm
This was a chance to see archaeological excavations in progress - led by South West Archaeology with local volunteers - searching for elements of John Knight's lost gardens which he laid out in the 1820's to ornament his planned mansion.
If you are interested in finding out more about any past of future events then please get in touch via email at: exmoor1820@gmail.com
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