So we had been to see the Rannerdale Bluebells 9 days before this walk and decided that we needed a comparison, with our own Devon version, the Holwell Bluebells. The walk was hardly any distance but took forever as we constantly stopped to admire the blooms, plus there was 11 tors and two bridges to see as well. However when the scenery is as good as this, then why rush. The area around Holwell and Haytor is a lovely area to walk with some stunning views, it can be very busy but pick the right time and you’ll have a brilliant walk. Mix in the best bluebell display there is and you have a special day. Before the walk we met up with a friend of Linda’s who works nearby and he said they were the best blooms they’d had for years. I didn’t disagree, a stunning day out, and I guess, if you aren’t a fan of the bluebell, then maybe look at a different walk of mine, as there are lots and lots of photos with them in below!
We couldn’t get parked by the side of the road, by the gate into Holwell Lawn, so we parked carefully by the side of the road further away. Unlike others who had abandoned cars, blocking gates later on. Here we look across to Bonehill Rocks from our parking spot.From Holwell Rocks and our first look at the Holwell Bluebells, more down to the right out of picture. Hound Tor sticking up at the back on the leftDropping down to Emsworthy Mire and towards the woodland, more bluebells carpet the floor with Haytor forming a backdrop, lots of photos today will include Haytor at the back.Heading across the boardwalk sections, normally the ground is marshy in here but with the warming spell of weather it was fairly dryWe managed to find the Becka Brook Clapper (new version) Plaque on the bridge, next we headed alongside the Becka Brook through some lovely gladed sectionsSome lovely light down here by the brook, showing off the bluebells perfectlyAnd againHolwell Bridge Boulders up above another patch of bluebellsWe had a coffee by the brook before climbing slightly, we headed across this field to Cold Moor Tor which is under the trees top rightCold Moor TorNext we dropped back to the Becka Brook, crossed it and avoided the worst of the marshy sections. A slight climb brings us to Little Emsworthy and a great view to the bluebells and Greator RocksHolwell Farm with parts of Cold Moor Tor in viewLittle EmsworthySame place, looking up to Holwell TorAnd the opposite direction, Emsworthy Rocks up to the left, Rippon Tor in the centre and a small patch of bluebells by trees down there. There is a red roofed barn in those trees which provides more good photos if you head that way.Linda on Little Holwell Tor now, admiring the view to the bluebellsNow on Holwell Tor, looking the same way as the previous photoLooking back towards Little Emsworthy, with Rippon Tor top left and Top Tor in the middle at the backHolwell Tor looking up to HaytorOn Smallacombe Rocks now, the tors come thick and fast across here and as you head further across and look back more into the sun, the bluebell intensity washes out a bit. The path however between the tors improves after Holwell TorLooking back to Holwell Tor from Smallacombe Rocks, you can see the quarry clearly on that tor from hereLeighon Tor is on the hill over there on the right, looking like its sliding down to the woods. Manaton village is in the distanceHole Rock, we will be heading down into the woods in a second, but first we head across to Leighon TorLeighon Tor, Hound Tor is across there on the left and the bulk of Hameldown is at the back leftDown in the woods again, and the original Becka Brook Clapper Bridge, we head behind me next to visit another torThe Becka Brook weaves its way through the rocksBecka Brook Rocks sit beside the brook, next we returned to the clapper bridge and crossed it heading uphill towards Greator Rocks and Hound TorStunning display of bluebells across here, with Hound Tor sitting atop a purple/blue carpetI’m on top of Greator Rocks here, which was just left of the photo above, again bluebells as far as the eye can see, we will be following the left hand path here.Glorious sight as I look across the valley to HaytorGreator Rocks, we now head into the Holwell Lawn section on the lower path to see the main sections of bluebells (yep that’s right we haven’t even been the main section yet!)Some sections are a lot more intense in here and even the photos pick out the colours clearly, normally in woodland the colour can fade a littleHolwell Lawn also is a horse cross country course, and the fences provide breaks to the bloomsCarpets of bluebellsUp close with the bluebellsNearing the end now, and when looking back, Haytor is always forming the backdropPathway through the bluebellsWe spent a lot of time on this walk just staring at all the colour, mixed with the perfect setting. At this time of year the Holwell area gives you a chance to mix a bit of woodland bluebell walking, lots of tors and some stunning open areas. All dominated by a little blue flower.
I’m sure there are a few places, but the ones here in Holwell and those up in the Lakes (Rannerdale) and the open air ones that I know of at this scale
The southern ones are better by quite a bit, maybe we saw the Rannerdale ones a week early but the Holwell ones are over a larger area, possibly twice that of Rannerdale
Memories of my visit to the Holwell Bluebells. Easily the most magnificent display I’ve ever seen. Quite a memorable day as we watched a massive thunderstorm pass by that made Jane’s hair stand on end and finished with a massive hailstorm that turned the moors white!
treksandtors 
How unusual to see them out in the open like that
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I’m sure there are a few places, but the ones here in Holwell and those up in the Lakes (Rannerdale) and the open air ones that I know of at this scale
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Beautiful. Which were more impressive? North or South….
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The southern ones are better by quite a bit, maybe we saw the Rannerdale ones a week early but the Holwell ones are over a larger area, possibly twice that of Rannerdale
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Memories of my visit to the Holwell Bluebells. Easily the most magnificent display I’ve ever seen. Quite a memorable day as we watched a massive thunderstorm pass by that made Jane’s hair stand on end and finished with a massive hailstorm that turned the moors white!
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So that’s at least two of us that think Holwell has the best bluebells!! Such a fantastic sight
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