Near Holne, Devon

Hembury and Holne Woods

Ancient woodland

Source image

7.8

Wildland

1–2 hours for a short riverside visit

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandRiversideValleyWalkersWildlife loversPhotographersHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.8

Two woodland experiences meet around the River Dart: ancient oak woods with rapids and cascades, and Hembury Castle, where an Iron Age hillfort later gained a Norman motte-and-bailey.

This is more than a quiet woodland walk: the river’s rapids, old mining workings and birdlife lead to a hillfort whose earthworks were reused for a Norman castle. The choice of riverside paths or a steep climb gives the visit real range.

Peaceful · Atmospheric · Wild

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Near Holne, Devon

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The experience

Choose a gentle walk beside the River Dart or take the uphill path to Hembury Castle. For a longer outing, explore the woodland paths and look for signs of mining and river wildlife. Paths are not formally signposted, so take care with navigation.

Things to do

Walk beside the River Dart

Take a gentle there-and-back woodland walk along the river. The National Trust describes a network of obvious but unsignposted paths.

1–2 hours

Explore Hembury Castle’s earthworks

Walk uphill to the hillfort and look for the older defensive earthworks and the Norman motte built within them.

Look for evidence of historic mining

Along the riverbank, look for old mine adits and workings associated with silver, lead and copper mining.

Watch for woodland and riverside birds

Listen for wood warblers in the canopy and look for dippers and grey wagtails by the river. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 1–2 hours

Quick escape: riverside woodland walk

01
Choose an obvious woodland path and take a gentle there-and-back walk beside the River Dart.
02
Pause to look for old mine workings along the riverbank.
03
Watch and listen for dippers and grey wagtails near the water before returning the way you came.

Half day · Half day

Make a half day of it: woods, river and hillfort

01
Begin with a riverside section through the woodland.
02
Look for old mine adits and workings, and keep an eye out for birds at the water’s edge.
03
Take the uphill route to Hembury Castle if you are comfortable with a strenuous climb.
04
Explore the hillfort earthworks and the Norman motte before retracing your route or choosing another path.

Verified history

Hembury Castle comprises two phases of fortification: an Iron Age hillfort and a later Norman motte-and-bailey built within part of the earlier enclosure. The National Trust also identifies historic silver, lead and copper mining along the riverside. The supplied heritage source dates the hillfort broadly to between 500 BC and AD 50 and the Norman castle to around AD 1070.

Hidden details

A Norman mound inside an Iron Age fort — The Norman motte was built within a corner of the earlier hillfort. Look for the relationship between the later mound and the older earthworks rather than treating them as a single-period site.

Old mine workings beside the river — The riverside paths pass old mine adits and workings linked to silver, lead and copper extraction.

When to go

April · May · June · October · A quieter morning or weekday may suit visitors seeking a peaceful walk; the supplied sources do not confirm specific crowd patterns.

The woods can be visited year-round. Spring offers woodland growth and bird activity; autumn brings leaf colour. The National Trust notes that the River Dart can be in spate or reduced to a trickle in summer.

Expect natural woodland paths and changing river conditions. Check current weather, river conditions and path information before setting out; the supplied sources do not provide a live conditions report.

The route

surface: Natural woodland paths; check current conditions.
difficulty: Varies from a gentle riverside walk to a strenuous uphill walk to Hembury Castle.
waymarking: The National Trust says routes are not formally signposted, though paths are obvious to follow.
route shape: There-and-back riverside option; other circuits are possible, but no specific circuit is described.
start point: No specific start point confirmed by the supplied National Trust source.
parking start: The source row reports nearby parking, but the supplied research does not verify a specific car park or start point. Check before visiting.
shorter alternative: Take a gentle there-and-back walk along the river instead of climbing to the hillfort.

River Dart and its rapids and cascades
Old silver, lead and copper mine workings
Hembury Castle’s Iron Age hillfort and Norman motte
Riverside and woodland birdlife

Worth pairing with

Holne village

A possible stop after the walk; the supplied Explore Devon source mentions a village café or tea room, but current availability should be checked.

Bench Tor and Venford Reservoir

A more demanding extension from Holne Woods towards open moorland, Bench Tor and Venford Reservoir, described by the National Trust. Check route, conditions and access before setting out.

What to look for

01
At Hembury Castle, look for the earthwork banks and the Norman motte within the older hillfort. Along the riverside, notice old mine adits and workings
02
watch for dippers and grey wagtails at the water’s edge.

The story

Iron Age hillfort and Norman motte-and-bailey; historic silver, lead and copper mining

Best time to go

Year-round; spring is a good time to look for woodland flowers and birds, while autumn brings leaf colour. River conditions vary with the season.

Spring for woodland flowers and bird activity; autumn for leaf colour. An early or quieter weekday visit may feel more peaceful, but check current conditions before travelling.

How long to spend

1–2 hours for a short riverside visit; allow longer for the hillfort or an extended walk

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · History lovers

Practical information

Opening & access

A network of woodland paths includes riverside walks and a strenuous uphill route to Hembury Castle. The National Trust describes paths as obvious to navigate but not formally signposted; check current access and conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

The source row reports nearby parking; the National Trust source supplied here does not confirm its location or capacity. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

The source row marks the woods dog-friendly, but current rules are not confirmed by the supplied research. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The National Trust describes a choice of gentle riverside paths and more strenuous uphill walks. The source row says paths may not suit wheelchair users; check current path conditions and access information before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

River Dart