Meet the Family

Sebastian Hughes - Age (Lies about it, so unclear). Can be a bit grumpy, so approach with caution. Do NOT feed, keep any chocolates well out of sight.

Philippa Hughes - Long suffering and looks older than she is Always reasonably affable and approachable. Don’t ask her anything too technical or mechanical though.

Henry Hughes - Age 13 – a rare sight unless in the school holidays

Loves his animals and a great host if you want a tour of the farm’s Wildlife. Keep out of his way if he has his gun with him; still early days here.

Bertie Hughes - Age 8 – by far the most audible of the family

Manic Driver; gets it from his father, so beware if he is in his truck

Please do not feed him if he appears on your doorstep, he won’t leave. Batty Hughes - Batty Two has picked up the mantle from her predecessor and is quite adorable. She will jump up and usually has very muddy paws.

Junior Hughes - The “boss-eyed” basset who is not quite all there but very loveable. A bit daunting when she jumps up, especially with children so beware.

Brulee Hughes - The long suffering Labrador who like his Mummy just rolls his eyes. skywards when his sisters are up to no good; most of the time !

Dart Hughes - The latest addition to the family; a retriever with attitude who is Henry's dog. Although he has allegedly been "trained", he is still a bit bouncy! Aston & Martin - the Jack and Jenny Donkeys who again are very friendly and free range. Martin is a stallion and Aston is in foal (again, and taken the length of time she has been pregnant it could well be an elephant). They are so named because Sebastian wanted a real Aston for his birthday; dream on !!

Copper and Prickle are usually found not too far from the yard with Rodney the other riding pony.

Also around the farm are circa 50 or so Dartmoor ponies, foals and one stallion called Star Fighter. They are approachable, but the foals still a bit timid. Some of the youngsters have also been known to chase the odd dog, so be aware ! Holwell breeds native cattle types; Belted Galloway and South Devon. The non-breeding stock will then eventually leave the farm when they are ready to be fattened and finished down in the valley of Widecombe. They then come back to the farm via Tor to Door, having never been off the moor in their lives, which incidentally, are very happy ones !

We strongly suggest that you do not enter any fields where the cattle are grazing and if you inadvertently find yourself in a field with cattle, we recommend you exit from the first gate, shutting it behind you !

Dogs should not be let off leads anywhere near the cattle fields as the cows are extremely protective of their young and can attack if they feel threatened in any way. Holwell also breeds Pedigree Saddleback Pigs and there are always piglets around the farm up to mischief somewhere or other.

All "Alpha-males" at Holwell are named rather appropriately after Volcanoes as they are intended to "erupt regularly".

"Pop" or "Popocatepetl" for his full name. is a gentle giant of a Belted Galloway bull. Last year he shocked a family who were picnicking outside the main gate by smashing his way through the fence onto the drive and jumping the cattle grid to get to a rather tasty looking heifer out on the moor !

The Saddleback boars are called "Vesuvius" and "Crackatoa". There is also a small herd of “Wild Boar” – not very wild at all and are all partial to chocolate hobnobs at tea time ! There are always plenty of chickens and assorted poultry around the farm including noisy cockerelsThere are also ducks, geese and doves.The chickens love scratching around in the yard and also have two very important roles to fulfil; the first is to lay eggs for our guests and the second is to act as "Nannies" to the naughty piglets when they take their first brave steps away from Mum. Holwell is a haven for wildlife; it is one of the last places on Dartmoor where you can find breeding Lapwing. Other birds that can be found hereabouts include Curlew, Woodcock, Snipe, Buzzard, Sparrow Hawk etc.

Flora is equally rare and stunning, especially around the precious habitat of the mire. There is a Wildlife Catalogue available if any guests would like to check out the varieties of flora and fauna to be found here.

At Emsworthy Mire there are Marsh Fritillary Butterfly and Elephant Hawk Moth too, but the mire can be a tad tricky to negotiate so be warned. Legend has it that a cart and six horses are down there somewhere !!