Holt, an Historic Georgian Town was described in 1892 by Walter Rye, author of the "Tourist's guide to the County of Norfolk" as a "clean and very prettily situated market town, being planted in a well undulating and very wooded neighbourhood". The open market is no longer there, yet Holt still manages to maintain it's friendly country atmosphere, and apart from a few small shopping developments in keeping with local architecture the town and surrounding countryside has changed little in recent years.
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Holt was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book as one of the manors held by Edward the Confessor and then by William I, following the Norman invasion. In 1592 the town was struck by the plague. Another tragedy struck on May Day 1708 when a terrible fire started near Shirehall Plain, leaving a large number of buildings damaged and destroyed. With help from the surrounding area, the town was gradually rebuilt, thus leaving a legacy of many fine Georgian buildings. By the early 1800's the population had grown to over 1,000 in an era of great local prosperity. Local sports included horse racing on Holt Lowes and "cocking" at the White Lion.

Today, Holt is a busy country town, the hub of North Norfolk, offering an excellent centre for the visitor to explore the many attractions of the surrounding area. The Lowes is now part of Holt Country Park, a wooded and common area of many acres with paths for walkers, ramblers and orienteerers, whilst Sprout Hills is a picturesque area recently restored by the Town Council. Known as the town of flowers, because of the profusion of hanging baskets and floral displays in the town centre during late spring and summer, Holt has won the "Anglia in Bloom" competition several times.

The nearby coast is an area of outstanding beauty for artists, bird watchers, riders, naturalists, walkers, photographers; indeed anybody who enjoys natural unspoilt countryside, marshes and shoreline.

Boat trips can be taken to the seal colony off nearby Blakeney Point. Good fishing can be found.

Inland, within a few miles there are several National Trust properties, country halls, churches, abbeys and castles open to the public.

Around Holt the countryside is undulating and wooded with the beautiful Glaven Valley providing the link between the country and the coast.

Accommodation: is diverse, ranging from "self cooking" B & B's, through country chalets and holiday homes to two Hotels in the town. There are several Caravan and Camping sites within a few miles.

Activities: Walking (Baconsthorpe to Holt round walks); orienteering; cycling; cley pigeon shooting.

Churches: St Andrew's - Holt and All Saints - High Kelling (C of E); Holt Methodist Church.

Exploring: Art Gallery; the horse drawn coach "The Holt Flyer" takes you from the town centre to the nearby station of the North Norfolk Steam Railway which allows one to enjoy a "journey back in time" to Sheringham, dining if you wish in the Pullman Coach.

Location: A148 Fakenham - Cromer, B1149 - Norwich.

Services: Shopping concentrates around the High Street, Market Square, Chapel Yard and Bull Street, with a wide variety of shops ranging from small boutiques, antique shops, country clothing, jewellers, milliners, craft shops and gift shops to a traditional department store stocking a very wide range of quality products. Other shops provide a wide range of services and goods. Arts and crafts are well catered for, with artist's supplies available from the local gallery.

Traditional country fare abounds; this small town currently enjoying several butchers including a pork butcher, fresh fish shops, country vegetable shops, numerous delicatessen, fresh bread and cake shops, a mini-market and a supermarket just off the shopping centre. See the Town Map for further details.

Numerous restaurants, cafes, bistros and take-aways cater for all tastes, from Chinese, Indian, Continental and English a la Carte to the traditional Fish and Chip shop serving locally caught fish and shellfish. Blakeney Mussels and Cromer Crabs are a must in season.

A convenient number of interesting local village pubs are willing to offer refreshment to the weary traveller, many open all day during the summer period.

Excellent bus services connect along the coast and to all North Norfolk towns as well as the cities of Norwich and Kings Lynn. Car hire and taxis are a little limited, but two wheeled transport is available for hire for those wishing to explore the by-roads and enjoy the country air.

The North Norfolk Railway connects to Anglia Railways at Sheringham.
Car parking is normally ample except at the busiest times in mid-summer. Additional out of town parking is free of charge.