About Holsworthy

Holsworthy is a small town just a few miles from the Cornish border. It is a well-established agricultural centre that comes alive each week when the traditional street market takes place. In Holsworthy market a wide range of locally produced goods, including fresh cream, butter, cheese and vegetables are sold.

The beautiful countryside around Holsworthy is particularly popular with cyclists. Indeed there are three clearly designated routes starting and finishing in the town. Holsworthy also lies on the West Country Way, a 250 mile long cycle route from Padstow to Bristol and Bath that opened in the spring of 1997.

Some seven or eight miles north of Holsworthy you will find the rather splendid Gnome Reserve and Wild Flower Garden at West Putford. There are over 1000 gnomes and pixies on display and in the wild flower garden there are over 250 species of wild flowers, herbs, grasses and ferns.

Also a little north of Holsworthy is the Volhouse Moor Nature Reserve run by the Devon Wildlife Trust. This is one of their finest Culm grassland reserves and it has a marvelous mix of grassland, woods and includes a stretch of the river Torridge - a very diverse site. On the south side of the river purple moor grass predominates, though some fields are mostly covered by rushes. This shows that the land was improved for agriculture in the past but is now gradually reverting to Culm grassland. The whole area is managed by a mix of cattle grazing, swaling and scrub control.

Some 10 or more miles north of Holsworthy is the Milkyway Adventure Park - a modern family entertainment complex that offers a great day out in Devon for all the family. It is an all-weather facility offering a mix of fun, rides, education and live shows.

In mid summer Holsworthy gets pretty lively itself! in early July the three-day long St. Peter's Fair takes place - and it begins with the curious old custom of the "Pretty Maid Ceremony" - a 19th century Miss World. It seems that in 1841, a Holsworthy merchant bequeathed a legacy to provide a small payment each year to the local young lady who best matches the following description:

• local spinster
• under the age of 30
• noted for her good looks
• must have a demure manner
• regular attender at church

In view of the last two requirements those of a cynical disposition might be surprised to learn that the bequest still finds a suitable recipient each year!

Holsworthy Museum is noteworthy in that it is itself housed in a building that is something of a museum piece - an 18th century parsonage. This small museum gives an excellent insight into the heritage and traditions of the town. Researchers into family and Holsworthy local history may view by prior arrangement a selection of local parish registers and census data as well as information held in the local history unit. The museum is run entirely by volunteers and is dependent on donations, the small entrance fee and support from local councils.