Holt
Holt is a beautiful Georgian country town set on the edge of the Glaven Valley in the undulating North Norfolk countryside. It is 23 miles north of the city of Norwich, 9.5 miles west of Cromer and 35 miles east of King's Lynn. It is connected to the coastal town of Sheringham by the North Norfolk Steam Railway – the Poppy Line.
Quaint streets and courtyards house many independently run bookshops, antique and bric-a-brac shops, galleries, boutiques and other shops, selling unusual and interesting goods. The town also has its very own department store, Bakers & Larners, which sells a vast array of products in its many different departments. There are a good selection of cafés, restaurants and pubs in Holt as well as B&Bs and other holiday accommodation.
Gresham’s public school is situated within Holt and was originally founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham; it has long been an important local centre for education. For many years the school was for boys only, but Gresham began to admit girls in the early 1970s and is now fully co-educational.
During the summer Holt has an almost continental atmosphere, with many of its pubs and restaurants providing outside seating. The town in the winter is reminiscent of traditional Christmas card scenes with twinkling white lights fitted to every building in sight.
On the outskirts of the town lies Holt Country Park. With more than 100 acres of woodland, picnic area, adventure playground and nature trails, it is the perfect place for families to reconnect and enjoy time together outside.
Interesting facts about Holt
- The name Holt is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word for woodland
- In 1708 Holt was devastated by a fire, destroying most of the medieval town in a matter of three hours. Rebuilt during the Georgian period, Holt is today renowned for its many Georgian buildings
- Holt’s Christmas light display is considered by many as the best in the county. Thousands and thousands of lights adorn roofs, gables, windows and gutters and attract many visitors to the town each year
- The Holt Summer Festival began in 2009 and is a popular arts festival that runs for a week. During festival week Holt plays host to many musicians, actors, poets, dancers, artists and comedians in various venues around the town including the church, the Auden Theatre, bookshop, Holt Community Centre, hotels and Holt’s Theatre in the Woods
- Famous people from Holt include: Sir William Stanley (1435–1495), soldier, Lord Chamberlain, Sir John Gresham (1492–1556), merchant and founder of Gresham's School, Sir Richard Gresham 1494–1549), merchant and MP, Sebastian Shaw (1905–1994), actor, Billa Harrod (1911-2005), architectural conservationist, Sir Matthew Pinsent (born 1970), Olympic gold medallist in rowing, Gareth Sibson (born 1977), writer and broadcaster and Kieron Williamson (born 2002), landscape artist nicknamed ‘Mini Monet’
Discovering Holt
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.
14 reasons to visit Holt, Norfolk
The pretty Norfolk market town of Holt is situated 23 miles north of Norwich and 9.5 miles west of Cromer and is connected to the seaside town of Sheringham by the North Norfolk Steam Railway – also known as the Poppy Line.
Discover the beauty of Holt Country Park
Green Flag award winner - Located close to the Norfolk coast and a mile from the quaint market town of Holt, Holt Country Park is managed by North Norfolk District Council and is an area of tranquil woodland and heathland. It is a Green Flag award winner; a sign to visitors that Holt Country Park has the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained with excellent facilities.
Bircham Gallery
Located in the Georgian market town of Holt, in north Norfolk, this light and spacious art gallery stocks the work of over 200 artists and craftspeople including paintings, prints, sculpture, studio ceramics, glass and designer jewellery.
The Gallery Holt
Regarded as one of East Anglia’s leading art venues, The Gallery Holt has been exhibiting artwork since 1972 in this pretty market town in north Norfolk. This award-winning gallery has undergone much change and continues to evolve under the management and ownership of Adrian Hill FRSA.
Useful links
http://www.holttowncouncil.org/
Holt town council official website
Map of Holt
Accommodation in Holt
Silver Birches
Holt, Norfolk
Built in 2018, this spacious and sophisticated modern mews style house is situated on a select development on the edge of Holt town centre. Beautifully presented, with stylish interiors, this is a perfect bolt hole for any time of the year.
Acorn Cottage (H)
Holt, Norfolk
Acorn Cottage is a superbly stylish mid-terrace hideaway, located on the King's Meadow development, an exclusive collection of traditionally styled properties on the outskirts of the beautiful, bustling Georgian town of Holt. Perfectly positioned to enjoy a walk in the woods at Holt Country Park, a stroll into Holt or along to the railway station to catch a steam train, this bolthole is the ideal spot for your discovery of North Norfolk.
Rowan Cottage
Holt, Norfolk
This cosy, semi-detached cottage, situated in the gorgeous Georgian town of Holt, is just a few minutes' walk from its many independent cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops and is ideal all year round for a family, small group of friends or couples.
1 Railway Cottages (H)
Holt, Norfolk
1 Railway Cottages is a beautifully furnished, contemporary holiday home in a secluded development in the heart of gorgeous, Georgian Holt. A minute's walk from the many amenities of Holt, perfectly positioned to enjoy a woodland walk at Holt Country Park, catch a heritage steam train to neighbouring picturesque villages or access the stunning, sandy beaches of the North Norfolk coast by car, this hideaway is the ideal spot for discovering Norfolk, all year round.
Daisy Cottage (H)
Holt, Norfolk
Dating back to 1885, Daisy Cottage is a cosy, semi-detached bolthole in the gorgeous Georgian town of Holt. Superbly located, only minutes away by foot from Holt's lovely independent eateries and shops, it is the perfect year-round hideaway for a family, couples or small group of friends.
8 Town Close
Holt, Norfolk
Super stylish and cosy, this detached cottage is located in the beautiful, bustling town of Holt, North Norfolk's Georgian gem. A charming bolthole ideal for a family, small groups of friends or couples, 8 Town Close is perfectly positioned to enjoy the many amenities of Holt - independent cafes, pubs, restaurants and grocery stores offering the best of local produce, art and antique galleries, fashion boutiques and gift shops - and is the perfect spot for your discovery of North Norfolk.
Little Soames
Holt, Norfolk
A modern and superbly styled detached cottage, Little Soames is all on one level and located in the Georgian town of Holt, one of Norfolk's year-round, go-to destinations as it is bursting with charm and independent cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops. A beautiful bolthole, Little Soames is also wonderfully located for your discovery of the rest of North Norfolk and works for a short or longer break, with family or with a group of friends.
Mulberry Cottage (H)
Holt, Norfolk
Being a traditional Grade II listed Georgian townhouse at the top of the High Street in Holt, Mulberry Cottage is a charming combination of a characterful, timber framed building with thoughtful touches and funky wallpapers.
Cedar House
Holt, Norfolk
Cedar House is a modern, light and airy cedar clad property, perfectly positioned to enjoy the many amenities of Holt - North Norfolk's renowned Georgian gem - and it is super stylish and super spacious.
Poppy Cottage (H)
Holt, Norfolk
A super flint end terrace cottage quietly located within just a few minutes' walk of the centre of the popular Georgian town of Holt, where you will find absolutely everything you need for a perfect break away, any time of the year.
7 Albert Street
Holt, Norfolk
7 Albert Street is a beautiful, bijou Bluestone offering splendid accommodation for two in the heart of Holt, arguably situated within one of the most attractive terraced rows this charming Georgian town has to offer. A quintessential Grade II listed cottage, 7 Albert Street boasts an immaculate interior with super-sophisticated styling within its brick and flint exterior and offers a gorgeous, light and airy living space retaining many original features - a luxury couple's retreat, minutes away from Norfolk's Heritage Coast.
