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The Holes of Dartmoor
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Very often on Dartmoor you will come across a hole, well that must be an obvious statement but these holes are no ordinary holes. You will not see a black gaping chasm that leads down into the very bowels of the earth, in fact you won't see an aperture of any size. So what is all the fuss about? simply this, Dartmoor Holes can be some of the most picturesque, secluded, and peaceful spots on the moor. William Crossing describes a 'hole' as being the name sometimes given to the head of a combe but more often to the narrow part of a river valley. Hemery simply says that they are miniature gorges. Probably the largest and more famous hole is 'Tavy Hole' as this is often visited when walking in the Tavy Cleave. Some of the holes take their names from personal names such as Creaber's, Gawler's, and Herne Hole. Others have adopted the names of nearby farmsteads like Cator, Jurston, Loughtor, and Manga Hole. Many are called after the waters that run through them, Broad Amicombe, Dart, Metheral, and Tavy Hole being such examples. Occasionally they are named after a legend such as Hangman's Hole and Smuggler's Hole. Whilst several have taken names from physical features like Sandy Hole, Broad Hole, Middle Hole, and Black Hole.
Below is a list of many of the Dartmoor Holes, this is by no means extensive but it has been compiled over the years from many sources.
Some of the above will be named on the current Ordnance Survey maps whilst others have never been part of the cartographers labours, they only exist in distant memory and old documents.
10/11/2007 |
