Simonsbath is a restful village in the valley of the River Barle. In medieval days the village lay within the royal forest; not that the moor was covered in trees centuries ago, but ‘Forest’ means an area kept for the monarch to hunt in.

Overseen by a warden, the strict laws of the forest were enforced at forest courts latterly held in Simonsbath.

The impressive Simonsbath House was built in the 17th century. In Victorian times the Knight family who lived in Simonsbath were important to the region. In 1818 they bought most of the royal lands around and invested considerable wealth to upgrade the derelict moorland.

[devonvillages]