A NEW chapter in the long history of the oldest building in Exmoor Forest - Simonsbath House Hotel - is about to start with the opening of an outdoor education centre. A £48,000 grant from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) is helping to fund the conversion which will mean the provision of a wide range of activities for children. Simonsbath House was built in 1654 by James Boevey, a London banker and solicitor, and was licensed as an inn in 1789. It was the only dwelling in Exmoor Forest until 1815 and contains the country's oldest squash court. After World War Two, the house was used as a school and then became a hotel before reverting to a private house in 1950. It became a hotel again in 1969. Current owners Andrew and Louise Flagg have built up the hotel business since taking it over two years ago. But the couple wanted to diversify and make use of the large courtyard outhouses and three acres of derelict land. The new development will bring extra business to the local economy and create new jobs. Andrew and Louise are using the RES grant, delivered by the Rural Development Service, towards the cost of converting the redundant buildings into dormitory accommodation for 35 students and their leaders, a large dining room, common room and classroom. Louise has extensive experience in running outdoor education centres and Andrew has many years of marketing experience to draw on. Andrew said: "We have wanted to open an outdoor centre for some time and Simonsbath House is the ideal location with plenty of unused buildings we can convert in beautiful surroundings. "And it offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as archery, mountain biking and horse riding. "The layout of the buildings means we can keep the country hotel business separate from the activity centre, providing two separate sources of income." The centre, like the hotel, will buy fresh food from local sources. Paul Clark, a rural development adviser based in Taunton, said: "This diversification project will bring new business to a traditional tourism enterprise and will provide extra benefits to the local community as more money is spent in nearby shops and businesses. "As an educational venture it will also help young people from across the country develop an appreciation of nature and country life and an experience of Exmoor's unique attractions."
