PARTNERS are being sought by Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) to help with a £2million project to restore Driver Farm, one of its most important historic farm estates.

A partnership plan is expected to be put before ENPA members in July showing how the authority will work with others to deliver its aim of turning the 800-acre farmstead into a learning and skills centre while restoring and creating natural habitats.

Driver Farm, which dates to the 1840s and came back into park ownership after the end of a tenancy in 2023, sits on some of the highest, most sensitive, and wettest parts of Exmoor, close to Simonsbath.

ENPA head of access, engagement, and estates Rob Wilson North said details of a 20-year funding programme were being worked out for Driver to remain part of the authority’s landscape recovery programme until 2046.

Mr Wilson North said: “We envisage Driver benefitting from a series of external partnerships in which ENPA takes an enabling and co-ordinating lead.

A view of historic Driver Farm, on Exmoor.
A view of historic Driver Farm, on Exmoor. (ENPA)

“We have had productive conversations with three academic institutions who have expressed interest in working with us.

“We have also spoken with third sector organisations and a range of experienced and knowledgeable individuals as well as key stakeholders.”

Mr Wilson North said it was expected a partner would be recruited next year on a short-term tenancy basis to work closely with the authority and others on learning and skills development and collaboration.

He said: “The farmhouse, together with opportunities for providing holiday accommodation, will be made available to this partner.

“Once recruited, our partner will live in part of the main house, the other will form a holiday letting unit.

“Driver is a key element in ENPA’s estate and specifically significant to the immense tract of moorland within the former royal forest of Exmoor that forms the bulk of ENPA land ownership.”

Mr Wilson North said the authority’s vision for Driver was a ‘gateway’ for people to discover the wild upland landscape of the old royal forest.

He said: “At Driver, they will be able to reimagine that landscape, a place where nature is thriving, heritage is protected ,and people from all walks of life are welcomed.

One of the barns which have become rundown on Driver Farm, Exmoor.
One of the rundown barns on Driver Farm, Exmoor, which the national park authority wants to restore. (ENPA)

“There will be opportunities to learn new skills, where you can play a valuable part in enriching nature and caring for this precious landscape, and to use those skills elsewhere on Exmoor and beyond.

“It will also be a place of self-discovery, at the hub of the dark skies reserve you will find tranquility and renewal.”

ENPA is planning significant improvements to the farmstead, including removing a modern farm building which had reached the end of its life, refurbishing the farmhouse, and installing renewable energy systems.

Mr Wilson North said Driver was and would remain off-grid, without mains water, electricity, or drainage.

He said: “We envisage we can achieve around 300 acres of habitat enhancement which includes creating species rich grassland, restoring peatland, creating wood pasture systems, creating riverside habitats, species translocation, and in some areas enabling and nurturing natural processes.”