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A visitors guide to the inland town of Holt in Norfolk. Holt is a
Georgian town in miniature a place that attracts the discerning shopper
with its antique and unusual gift shops. Shops which are contained in a
puzzle of streets and alleyways fanning out from the main High Street,
yet all within easy walking distance of each other.
It's a fascinating mix of antiques, curios collectables as well as
traditional emporiums. Holt is the place to go to if you're looking for
that special something either for the house or as a present.
Holt enjoys more than its fair share of attractive tea and coffee shops
serving wedges of home made cake, temptingly filled sandwiches and light
lunches for the hungry consumer.
The heart of Holt is very picturesque comprising of a jumble of
attractive colour washed Georgian buildings with many of those in the
market square listed as 'of architectural importance'.
Additional attractions are the North Norfolk Steam Railway sited outside
the main thoroughfare, accessed either by foot or bus which will whisk
you away to the seaside resort of Sheringham and on the west side of
town, Holt Park, a one hundred acre park of woods and heath land with a
latticework of varying length paths.
For Holiday Accommodation in Holt and nearby - Self Catering - Holiday
Cottages - Hotels - Bed and Breakfast check out our Holt Holiday
Accommodation Pages.
Mention the town of Holt and most people think of Gresham's School with
its well-deserved reputation of excellence that was founded in 1555.
Here is also housed the Auden Theatre with a wide range of musical and
dramatic events throughout the year encompassing contributions from both
the pupils and professional companies.
On the River Glaven sits the last remaining fully
functioning working watermill in Norfolk built in 1802. The mill has
working demonstrations and tours. You can see the miller and his staff
making flour using traditional methods, whilst giving a running
commentary. Helpful staff are always on hand and are happy to answer any
questions. Eleven types of flour are produced, ranging from the
best-selling unbleached, untreated white, to organic wholewheat
stoneground and the rare Spelt flour. These flours are sold locally to
local bakeries, healthfood shops, hotels and teashops and at the Mill
Shop on site.
One for the calendar - Most places look inviting at Christmas time but
the town of Holt takes it one stage further and festoons its town centre
with twinkling white fairy lights creating a truly festive winter
wonderland.
 Holt
existed as a town before the Norman
invasion and is recorded in the doomsday book of 1086. However, a great
fire destroyed much of the town in 1708 and Holt was therefore rebuilt
in the style of that time, which was Georgian.
 At
the north end of the High Street near Holt's
church is a Pineapple Obelisk, which is reputed to be a gatepost from
Melton Constable Park. This was relocated to Holt and therefore the
mileages inscribed on the column are said to be wrong for Holt.
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