| Simonsbath House | |
| Location: | Simonsbath, Somerset |
| Coordinates: | |
| Built: | Mid 17th century |
| Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name: Simonsbath House Hotel | |
| Designated: | 6 April 1959[1] |
| Reference #: | 265427 |
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Location of Simonsbath House in Somerset
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Simonsbath House is a historic house in Simonsbath on Exmoor in Somerset, England. The Grade II listed building is now the Simonsbath House Hotel,[1][2] and outdoor activity centre.[3] It lies in the valley of the River Barle and on the Two Moors Way footpath.
The house was built in the mid-seventeenth century for John Boevey, the warden of the Royal forest of Exmoor, and for 150 years his was the only house in the forest.[1][4] After the death of Boevey and his wife the house was sold with the Exmoor estate to Robert Siderfin of Luxborough. Siderfin used the grazing rights he gained on the estate but let the house to tenants, one of which was John Dennicombe, who allowed the house to fall into disrepair, and was eventually evicted, but only after he had burnt much of the wood panelling and other fixtures within the house.[4] During the second half of the 18th century and the early part of the 19th century the wardens of the forest were the Acland Baronets who leased the house, and it was licensed as an inn.[4]
After the Inclosure Acts the house was bought, with the accompanying farm and about 70,000 acres (280 km2),[5] the remaining portion of the former Royal Forest belonging to the Crown Estate, by John Knight of Worcestershire in 1818 for the sum of £50,000.[6]
Knight set about converting the Royal Forest, now known as Exmoor National Park, into agricultural land.[7] He and especially his son Frederick, who assumed management in 1841,[8] erected most of the large farms in the central section of the moor and built 22 miles (35 km) of metalled access roads to Simonsbath. He built a 29 miles (47 km) wall around his estate, much of which still survives.[6]
The house was further altered by the Fortescues when they were the owners in the early 20th century,[1] including the building of one of the first Squash Courts in England in 1929.[4] John Fortescue was a military historian and the King's Librarian.[9] During World War II the house was used as a school, and after the war used as a hotel under the name Diana Lodge Hotel, which had several owners during the ensuing decades. In 1969 the name reverted to Simonsbath House.[4]
The house, which consists of several bays, has white painted walls and slate roofs. Outside are several agricultural buildings which have been adapted to provide accommodation.
The interior includes a fireplace with a chamfered lintel which dates from 1654, panelling and a 17th century overmantel with a painted coat of arms which was brought to the house from a house at Weare Giffard, Bideford, Devon.[1]