Exmoor is introducing its own free currency, the Groat, to give visitors extra value during their stay and help beat the credit crunch. Groats can be downloaded online or collected from local tourism businesses in and around the Exmoor National Park, which straddles West Somerset and North Devon. Issued by the Royal Bank of Exmoor, they will be valid throughout April 2009, including the Easter break.
Visitors to the region will be able to redeem their Exmoor Groats against a wide variety of offers such as 20% off a stay at Higher Riscombe Farm, Exford; a free bottle of wine with a meal for two at Holworthy Farm, Brompton Regis and 10% off a fly fishing lesson with John Dawson or an Exmoor safari booked at the White Horse Inn, Exford. Outlets taking part in the initiative will display a ‘We accept Groats here’ poster so visitors will know where they can be exchanged!
A former silver coin, the Groat was still in circulation in Scotland until the 20th Century and is mentioned many a time in RD Blackmore’s famous novel, Lorna Doone, which was set on Exmoor during the 17th Century.
This new initiative is being run by Active Exmoor, which is running the initiative together with the Exmoor Tourist Association.
