Slide 1 – Situated in a well wooded recess sheltered from the north, and in full view of the highway leading up the Cliviger valley, stands the quaint mansion of Holme, which for close upon six centuries has been the seat of the Whitaker family. The Hall flanked with its two gables, overhanging eaves, and quaint mullioned windows, at once arrests the wayfarer, charming the eye, and carrying the thoughtful mind back to bygone times. Like many old Halls in the district, it was originally a timber framed structure. The centre and eastern wing of the Holme, were rebuilt of stone in 1603, but the west end retained its original form until 1717. The Hall contains some fine specimens of carved oak and historic portraits. It is recorded that there was a Richard Whittaker residing here in the reign of Edward the third (1337). Amongst the list of notable members of the Whitaker family, the Rev. Dr Thomas Dunham, the antiquary and historian, stands out prominent, to whom we are indebted for the ecclesiastical and monumental Histories of Whalley, Craven and Richmondshire. Dr Whitaker was not only a great historian, but a great planter, and during his residence at Holme, not less than half a million trees of various species were planted on the bare and rocky brows and in the glens and gullies of his estate. There can be little doubt that the Sylvan beauty of Holme today, is the outcome of his fostering and foresight.
