Holt

    Market day:  Friday

    Farmers' market:  None

    Early closing:  Thursday

    Population (2001):  3,550

Holt is a compact and attractive town, situated just inland from a particularly beautiful stretch of the North Norfolk coast and, whilst worthy of a visit in its own right, is easily experienced as a place for a tea and coffee whilst visiting this part of the coast, perhaps as part of trip to see the seals at Blakeney Point, or a journey on tne North Norfolk Railway.

Holt has a history that can be traced back to Saxon times. At the time of the Domesday Book it had both a market and a port - the coastal village of Cley.

Although much of Holt was devastated in a few hours by a fire in 1708, the medieval church, at that time partly thatched, survived, but badly damaged, and the town was rebuilt around the market place. In consequence there is little pre-1700 architecture.

Just outside Holt is Greshams School, founded in 1555, which numbers WH Auden, Lord Reith, Benjamin Britten and Stephen Fry amongst its alumni.

Holt is at one end of the the 10.5 mile-long North Norfolk Railway (the other is Sheringham) and The 'Holt Flyer', a London Routemaster Bus service, meets most steam trains in the summer for the 1 mile journey from the terminus to the town.

The town now offers an enviable range of galleries, boutiques and other purchasing opportunities, as well as restaurants and tea shops. Perhaps the best known shop (it's almost a department store), is Bakers & Larners of Holt, which has been in Holt since 1797. Of particular note within the multi-site shop is the award-winning food hall, sometimes compared to Harrods and Fortnum & Mason in terms of the quality and variety of comestibles on offer. Its range of cheeses and its cellar alone justify a visit.

Although the award-winning Byfords is perhaps the best-known of the Holt eateries, and deserved of its many awards, visitors who find Byfords cafe or their Byfords cafe a little too crowded or little heavy on the pocket would be well advised to consider lunch or tea at nearby Butlers in the beautiful setting of the Appleyard. Whilst there, why not take a look at the Appleyard Gallery (the beautifully named The Last Picture Show In Town is anoth gallery also well worth a visit, with works by artist-in-residence, Carol Ann Pennington and others).

Contact details

• Bakers & Larners of Holt 01263 712244
• Beans Boat Trips 01263 740505 (Graham Bean) or 01263 740038 (John Bean)
• Bishops Boats 0800 0740 754
• Butlers 01263 710790
• Byfords 01263 711400
• North Norfolk Railway 01263 820800
• Temples Seal Trips 01263 740791

Guests say ...

"Found Holt, Aylsham and Wymondham all very nice - as England was 40 years ago without all the chain stores that dominate the high streets. Especially recommend Byfords in Holt for ready-prepared meals."     C&B L