The Holloways
Discover a realm of remarkable, ancient sunken lanes, known as Holloways, hidden deep beneath the rolling landscape of Symondsbury’s fields and woodlands. Rich with history, unique biodiversity and mysterious carvings, there is nowhere else quite like them.
Magical Kingdoms
Symondsbury Estate’s Holloways, Shute’s Lane and Hell Lane, have been shaped over centuries by the passage of people and livestock, creating sunken pathways hidden from view. The term “Holloway” comes from the Anglo-Saxon “hola-weg,” meaning sunken road. They are like inverted cathedrals, with walls draped in ivy and gnarled roots, and high-vaulted tree canopies looming above.
Venture deeper and you’ll find intricate carvings – from Celtic patterns to eerie gargoyles – etched into the earth over the years. The Holloways shelter rare plants like naval wort, bellflowers and goblin’s gold moss, and are home to birds and small mammals. Pick up a map at the Visitor Centre or grab the £3.50 Holloways Guide for in-depth insights. Sturdy walking boots or wellies are recommended as the ground can be uneven and muddy.
The Holloways in Pictures
Everybody’s Talking About the Holloways
Our Holloways recently gained attention through a pioneering mapping project by Natural England to create a 3D model showcasing their structure. The project drew teams from BBC1, BBC Radio 4 and ITV to capture these ancient pathways and share their stories more widely.
However, some would say that they’ve been talked about for years. Shute’s Lane is believed to be the hideout of the protagonist in Geoffrey Household’s bestselling thriller, Rogue Male, which inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Captivated by Household’s story, author Robert Macfarlane headed here in 2005 to find the hiding place for himself and produced his own eerily beautiful nature book, Holloway. Now, with Benedict Cumberbatch rumoured to be starring in a Rogue Male remake, the Holloways continue to inspire.
