Holt
The charming Georgian market town of Holt lies just four miles inland from the picturesque coastline of North Norfolk, considered to be an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. The town is still, perhaps, the most popular tourist North Norfolk destination not to be found directly on the coast. Like a snapshot of a bygone time, Holt retains an old-fashioned, even unique allure, resulting in a high frequency of return visits.
Deriving the name Holt from the Saxon word for 'wood', the area is recorded as 'a market town' as early in history as 1086, and prospered for almost 900 years under this classification until the market was closed in the 1960s. The predominantly Georgian architecture of the Holt resulted from a widespread donations to rebuild the town after a fire destroyed most of the buildings in 1708.
Whilst the traditional market may have disappeared, Holt's reputation for retail has grown exponentially and the town is now considered a shopping Mecca for those seeking special gifts and homeware. The concentration of the retail district in Holt means that everything is within walking distance, and visitors can expect to find a range of fine stores selling antiques and artwork, books, clothing and jewellery and much more.
Holt has also become renown for the events that take place there throughout the year. The Holt Festival makes for a fantastic trip, with arts and musical entertainment taking place throughout the town during a week in summer. At Christmas, the town is illuminated by a sea of white fairy lights, with many people travelling across the county to attend the lighting ceremony and see the streets become an idyllic winter wonderland.
Feeling hungry? Holt possesses an abundance of quaint tea and coffee shops providing some of the best afternoon tea in Norfolk. Serving scones and cake, delicious sandwiches and light lunches, there are few nicer places to be on a sunny afternoon that sitting outside a Holt cafe. Evening dining is also well catered for; whether you are looking for a restaurant with a traditional English menu, or award winning seafood, the range and quality of cuisine in Holt is sure to leave you satisfied.
Visitors looking for an extended stay in the town have a number of accommodation options; staying in Bed and Breakfasts in Holt and Holt's self-catering properties are an extremely popular way of seeing local sights, in Holt and beyond.
Holt Park, situated to the west of Holt, is a one hundred acre heath and woodland park which provides beautiful walks, an observation tower, wildlife spotting and fantastic cycling routes on its many paths, and is a popular family day out in North Norfolk.
The North Norfolk Steam Railway – the Poppy Line - is located just outside the main thoroughfare, and can be easily accessed by foot or bus, allowing you to travel to the Norfolk Coast at Sheringham, via Weybourne, in the style of halcyon days.
Holt Tourist Information Centre
3 Pound House
Market Place
Holt
Norfolk
NR25 6BE
01263 713100