Holne Woodlands

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Holne Woodlands is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England. It lies between Dartmeet and Ashburton and covers parts of the River Dart and River Webburn valleys. The area includes several Dartmoor tors, such as Combestone Tor, Sharp Tor, Mel Tor, Hockinston Tor, Aish Tor and Blackadon Tor. It used to be called Holne Chase and Central South Dartmoor. The site is protected for its woodland lichens and bird life, and otters have been seen here. The Iron Age fort Holne Chase Castle is within the area.

The woods are mainly sessile oak, with ash and wych elm in wetter spots, and small-leaved lime on well-drained soils. Plants include sanicle, woodruff, primrose and common cow-wheat. Ferns grow especially on north-facing slopes, including scaly male-fern, broad buckler-fern, lady fern, lemon-scented fern, royal fern and Tunbridge filmy-fern. Lichens such as Lobaria pulmonaria and Sticta dufourii are found here. Birds include raven, buzzard, great spotted woodpecker, wood warbler, pied flycatcher, redstart, stonechat and whinchat. Fish in the rivers include salmon and trout. The area sits on Carboniferous slate and mudstone.

Part near the village of Holne is owned by the National Trust and is called Hembury and Holne Woods. Another part, Blackadon Nature Reserve in the River Webburn valley, is managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust.