Discovering Holt
Published date: March 2019
Holt is a pretty Georgian market town in north Norfolk, 23 miles from the city of Norwich and 9.5 miles from Cromer. It is the perfect place for a full day out and is an ideal base to stay and explore the surrounding area, being in close proximity to the beautiful north Norfolk coastline and stunning countryside.
The majority of Holt’s shops and businesses are independently owned and run, and the town has a real close-knit community feel, of days gone by, probably one of the reasons why it attracts so many visitors. With an abundance of shops, galleries, boutiques, cafés, restaurants, accommodation and its very own department store, Holt has everything you could possibly need.
Hidden courtyards, narrow cobbled streets and many interesting Georgian flint buildings make Holt a must visit part of Norfolk, whatever time of year, come rain or shine.
Here are some of Holt’s highlights:
Holt Country Park
Located on the outskirts of the town, Holt Country Park is a tranquil woodland that is dominated with Scots pines and other native broadleaved trees. Wild orchids and heathers in the summer and snowdrops in the winter make this a beautiful spot, whatever the season. Home to many varieties of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, Holt Country Park has rich ground flora that supports an abundant display of wildlife including adders, deer, goldcrests and greater spotted woodpeckers. A children’s play area and waymarked trails make this an ideal place to bring the family to reconnect, enjoy a picnic and get close to nature.
Holt Country Park - Edgefield Hill, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6SP
www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/tasks/your-community/find-out-about-holt-country-park
Bakers & Larners of Holt
Holt’s very own department store, Bakers & Larners, was built in 1631 and has continuously served the area as a shop since around 1730. There isn’t much you can’t find here and many an hour can be spent browsing their copious departments. Excellent customer service comes as standard at Bakers & Larners, it’s a shoppers’ delight.
Bakers & Larners of Holt - 8 Market Place, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BW
Tel: 01263 712244
Byfords
Excellent food and drink served in a relaxed and welcoming setting in the centre of Holt. Restaurant and takeaway serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Homemade cakes, pies, pizza, bread and more. Posh B&B and self-catering apartment available too.
Byfords - 1-3 Shirehall Plain, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BG
Tel: 01263 711400
Auden Theatre
Located in the heart of Gresham’s Senior School grounds in Holt, the theatre offers a unique, intimate and versatile space for many differing performances in a modern and purpose-built facility. Providing a diverse and expansive programme of productions all year round, the Auden Theatre is an important venue for local and visiting artists. It is also one of the main venues for the Holt Festival, held each July in the town. From local musical groups to international musicians and theatre companies, the Auden Theatre offers a broad collection of performances.
Auden Theatre - Gresham’s School, Cromer Road, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6EA
Tel: 01263 713444
The Poppy Line - North Norfolk Railway
This heritage railway has a station in Holt and is the western terminus, situated 1 mile from the centre of Holt town. The ‘Holt Flyer’, a London Routemaster Bus service meets most steam trains in the summer, taking passengers into the centre of town. The Poppy Line offers a stunning scenic steam train ride from Sheringham along the coast to Weybourne, through Kelling Heath and through the heathland to Holt. Once you have explored Holt, enjoy the return journey back to Sheringham. The steam trains run daily from April 1st-end of October and are operated almost entirely by volunteers. There are three Victorian stations, in Sheringham, Weybourne and Holt, refreshments, gift shops and a railway museum at Holt station.
To find out more, go to the North Norfolk Railway website:
The Holt Owl Trail
The Holt Owl Trail was born in December 2017 and consists of 24 pavement plaques in Holt town centre. This was a project associated with Holt Town Council, Holt Chamber of Trade and the Holt Society and was designed to offer people a tour of this historic Georgian town by following the bronze floor plaques. The trail provides fascinating facts, interesting anecdotes and details of additional ‘looped trails’ revealing some of Holt’s hidden locations.
To find out more about the Holt Owl Trail, visit the following website:
Holt Festival
During festival week, Holt is home to an array of musicians, poets, actors, dancers, artists and comedians. Venues all over this Georgian market town play host to many differing performances including the church, the Auden Theatre, a bookshop, Holt Community Centre, hotels and in the truly spectacular open-air Theatre in the Woods. If you are looking for cultural nourishment, laugh out loud comedy moments, and the luxury of seeing top-flight internationally recognised performers in a quaint north Norfolk town, then make sure you are in Holt during festival week.
To find out more about this exciting event, visit the following website:
Folly Tearoom
Its garden and tearoom in Hoppers Yard are delicately sprinkled with vintage romance; escape the hustle and bustle of life and recharge your batteries here. Sample their delicious breakfasts, light lunches, afternoon teas and early evening bites in this wonderful setting. Hidden away in the centre of Holt, this tearoom has beautiful gardens, vintage crockery and some of the best homemade cakes in Norfolk. With many gluten free varieties, this hidden gem is certainly worth discovering.
Folly Tearoom - Hoppers Yard, Bull Street, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6LN
Tel: 01263 713569
The Gallery, Picturecraft
Established in 1972 the gallery has played host to over four decades of exhibitions, featuring the work of some of the UK’s and Norfolk’s finest professional painters – Kieron Williamson being just one. With an eclectic mix of ever-changing artwork available to buy, this gallery is very welcoming even if you are just browsing. Art materials and a picture framing service are available, adjacent to the gallery and there is also a small café. Whether you are looking for a new piece of art or just enjoy admiring the paintings, sculptures and photographs on display, a visit to The Gallery Picturecraft is definitely worth squeezing in when you are in Holt.
The Gallery, Picturecraft - 23 Lees Yard, off Bull Street, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6HS
Tel: 01263 711040
Kings Head
A traditional pub situated in the heart of Holt, the Kings Head serves an excellent variety of home cooked pub food in their main bar area, dining conservatory or alfresco on their terrace, weather permitting. Also offering B&B accommodation, this is the perfect base from which to explore this unique and beautiful Norfolk market town.
Kings Head Holt - 19 High Street, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BN
Tel: 01263 712543
Christmas Lights in Holt
Holt is a Norfolk town of excellence, uniqueness and beauty and never more so than during the festive season when the town ‘trims up’ with thousands and thousands of fairy lights. The gables, gutters, windows and roofs are adorned throughout the town, it really is a sight to behold.
To find out more about Holt’s Christmas lights, such as when the switch on will occur, visit the following website: