The Stables at Birch Cleave Barns

In Simonsbath

The Exmoor Forest Inn -- A remarkable village pub that has earned a Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy and a place in the Good Food Guide's 100 best pubs in Britain. The daily-changing menu features beef and lamb reared on the inn's own organic hill farm, with all ingredients sourced within a twelve-mile radius. Supper is served seven days a week, with lunch available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A genuinely special place to eat, with a warm, unpretentious atmosphere and real ales on tap. Booking strongly recommended.

Simonsbath House Hotel -- A handsome country house set in the heart of the hamlet, offering afternoon teas and evening meals in an elegant, relaxed setting. A lovely spot for a cream tea after a moorland walk.

Nearby

The Crown Hotel, Exford -- Approximately 5 miles from Simonsbath. A Grade II listed 17th-century coaching inn at the heart of Exford village, serving freshly prepared food using locally sourced and free-range ingredients. Cosy beamed bar with a roaring log fire, a more formal restaurant, and outdoor seating. Real ales, local ciders, and a good wine list. Food served daily for lunch and dinner. Dogs welcome in the bar.

The Royal Oak, Withypool -- Approximately 5 miles from Simonsbath. A welcoming 18th-century village pub in the heart of the moor, known for good food and local ales. A popular stop for walkers and riders.

Tarr Farm Inn -- Approximately 8 miles from Simonsbath, beside the famous Tarr Steps clapper bridge. Refined pub food using local Exmoor lamb, Devon beef, Cornish seafood, and game. Cream teas served throughout the day, with outdoor tables overlooking the River Barle. Booking recommended.

The Exmoor White Horse Inn, Exford -- Approximately 5 miles from Simonsbath. A 16th-century inn beside the bridge over the River Exe, well known for its restaurant using locally sourced West Country game, lamb, beef, and fresh seafood. The inn boasts one of the most extensive whisky collections in the south-west, with over 250 single malts.

Birch Cleave ancient woodland -- Directly accessible from Simonsbath, this magical hanging oak woodland clings to the steep valley side above the River Barle. The gnarled, moss-covered oaks are remnants of the ancient forest that once covered Exmoor, and the wood is alive with birdsong, ferns, and lichens. A short but memorable walk.

Red deer watching -- Exmoor is home to England's largest wild red deer herd, and the remote moorland around Simonsbath is one of the finest places to spot them. Dawn and dusk offer the best chances, particularly during the autumn rut when the stags' roaring calls echo across the valleys. Several local operators offer guided 4x4 safari tours.

Exmoor ponies -- Wild Exmoor ponies graze freely on the moorland surrounding Simonsbath. These hardy, semi-feral ponies are one of the oldest native breeds in Britain and are a wonderful sight against the open moor. The Exmoor Pony Centre near Dulverton (approximately 14 miles) offers the chance to meet them up close.

Fishing on the River Barle -- The River Barle offers excellent salmon and trout fishing through some of the most beautiful river scenery in the south-west. The stretch around Simonsbath is particularly scenic. Permits and local advice are available from the Exmoor Forest Inn and fishing tackle shops in the area.

Dark Sky Reserve stargazing -- Exmoor was designated Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve, and the remote moorland around Simonsbath has some of the lowest levels of light pollution in England. On a clear night, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. Guided stargazing events are held throughout the year.

Pinkworthy Pond and The Chains -- A wild moorland walk from Simonsbath leads to Pinkworthy Pond, a remote upland pool on The Chains -- the boggy plateau that forms the source of the River Barle. This is Exmoor at its most desolate and atmospheric, with sweeping views and a true sense of wilderness.

Tarr Steps -- An ancient clapper bridge across the River Barle, approximately 8 miles from Simonsbath. The bridge is formed from 17 massive stone slabs and is believed to be medieval in origin. It sits within a National Nature Reserve surrounded by beautiful oak woodland.

Dunster Castle -- A dramatic hilltop castle owned by the National Trust, approximately 15 miles from Simonsbath. Set within beautiful terraced gardens and parkland, with a medieval gatehouse, subtropical planting, and wonderful views over Exmoor to the Bristol Channel.

Lynton and Lynmouth -- Often called 'Little Switzerland', these twin villages on the Exmoor coast are approximately 10 miles from Simonsbath. Connected by the famous cliff railway -- the steepest fully water-powered railway in the world -- they offer dramatic scenery, the Valley of Rocks, and excellent walking along the coast path.

Walks from the Doorstep

Birch Cleave Woodland Loop -- A short but enchanting walk through the ancient hanging oak woodland above the River Barle. The gnarled, moss-covered trees and fern-carpeted slopes make this one of the most atmospheric walks on Exmoor. Approximately 1 mile. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.

Simonsbath to Cow Castle -- Follow the River Barle downstream to the dramatic Iron Age hillfort of Cow Castle, perched on a steep-sided promontory above the river. The earthwork ramparts and commanding views over the Barle valley make this a fascinating walk. Approximately 2 miles each way. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the return trip.

River Barle Valley to Tarr Steps -- A superb long walk following the River Barle downstream through woodland and open moorland, passing Cow Castle and Wheal Eliza copper mine ruins, all the way to the ancient clapper bridge at Tarr Steps. Approximately 8 miles one way. Allow a full day, or arrange transport back from Tarr Steps.

Pinkworthy Pond via The Chains -- A challenging moorland walk heading north from Simonsbath across The Chains -- the boggy, windswept plateau that forms the source of the River Barle. Pinkworthy Pond sits in splendid isolation amid the open moor. Approximately 5 miles each way. The terrain is rough and boggy in places, so waterproof boots are essential. Allow 4 to 5 hours.

Wheal Eliza Copper Mine -- Walk along the River Barle to the atmospheric ruins of Wheal Eliza, a 19th-century copper mine in the valley. The mine buildings and chimney stack are gradually being reclaimed by nature. Approximately 3 miles each way from Simonsbath. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Landacre Bridge -- A beautiful medieval packhorse bridge over the River Barle, approximately 4 miles south of Simonsbath by road. A lovely spot for a riverside picnic and paddle, and a good starting point for further walks along the Barle valley.

Beaches

Porlock Bay and Bossington Beach -- The nearest coast, approximately 12 miles north of Simonsbath via Porlock. Porlock Bay is a dramatic arc of pebbles backed by the Porlock Marsh salt flats, with Bossington Beach offering a vast shingle expanse and views to the South Wales coast. A great walking beach rather than a bathing beach.

Minehead -- The nearest sandy beach, approximately 15 miles from Simonsbath (around 30 minutes by car). A wide expanse of sand at low tide, ideal for families. Also the starting point of the 630-mile South West Coast Path.

North Devon beaches -- The golden sand beaches at Woolacombe, Croyde, and Saunton Sands are approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Simonsbath, making them a feasible day trip for surfers and beach lovers.