Hole farm is about one and a half kilometres east of Hele, just off the old road from Hele to Berrynarbour and near the junction with Oxenpark Lane. Hole farm was probably part of the late Saxon Manor of West Haggington, although it may previously have belonged to East Haggington. It may be the site of the first recorded gold mine in the Country, La Hole mine of 1262. In 1330 it was probably the home of John atte Hole.

The place name probably comes from Old English hol, describing its position in a hollow. Many other smaller local settlements have a descriptive place name with a Saxon origin, for example Beara, Bowden, Trayne, Hele and Slew.

Hole is so-called on the OS map of 1809; Greenwoods' map of 1827; Ilfracombe Tithe map 1839; Hole Beer occupied by John Reed in 1841Census.

Hole was probably the home of John atte Hole (1330 SR) (Gover et al 1932 p 28)

Hole, from Old English hol, the ultimate form of IE (Indo-European) kel, meaning 'cover, conceal' which is the same root as the words hele, hell, helm, hollow. (SOED 1987 p 973)

Holl, from OE hol, meaning 'deeply excavated or depressed; lying in a hollow'. (SOED 1987 p 974)

Hole as a verb, from OE holian, has the following meanings: 1. To make a hole or cavity in 2. To sink (a shaft), drive (a tunnel) through 1798 3. To undercut the coal in a seam so as to release it from the other strata 1829 4. To make a hole, to dig ME. (SOED 1987 p 974)