Holt is a great example of a thriving market town and has long been a popular choice for both holiday makers and those looking for their dream home.
It’s just inland but has easy access to the glorious coastline and Norwich is about 40 minutes away by car and, as you’d expect for a town of this size, there are good services and facilities from schools to doctor’s surgeries, dentists, clubs and societies, supermarkets and the like. Love Holt is a support group for local businesses and they’ve started a lively monthly Sunday market which certainly adds a bit extra.
The Georgian architecture is much admired, and there are several courtyards and alleyways to explore, seeking out tea rooms, boutiques, antiques shops and more.
The bustling High Street mixes up independent stores and household favourites like Joules and, pride of place, is Bakers and Larners, often referred to as the Fortnum and Mason of East Anglia because of its stunning food hall. The department store has been going strong for more than 250 years and sells everything from lingerie to books, kitchenalia and beauty products.
The town’s arts scene is particularly strong, with several art galleries such as the Bircham Gallery, plus a healthy smattering of craftsmen and women, and Gresham’s School, a private co-ed, has the Auden Theatre which stages regular events while the annual Holt Festival, held in July, attracts big names such as Paul Martin from telly’s Flog It!
Foodies are well catered for with many lovely restaurants: Meadowsweet is the latest fine dining option while Byfords, right in the town centre, is great for all day dining and has quirky bedrooms, too.
Star Plain Stores is a newish deli which seeks out unusual goodies, especially cheese, Eric’s Fish and Chips is a favourite with all ages and Two Magpies Bakery has a great selection of breads - try their rye loaves.
Holt Rugby Club is a big part of the town and the 100-acre Holt Country Park is a great spot for waymarked walks, with good views over the heathlands to the sea.
North Norfolk Railway, with its vintage steam and diesel trains, runs from Holt to Sheringham - about 10 miles - with stops in Weybourne and Kelling which are both pretty villages. Weybourne, with its beautifully restored station, has a quiet beach, good pub, The Ship Inn, and a popular village shop/cafe. Its five story redbrick windmill is a great landmark, while Kelling, with its health, is the starting point for numerous walks, with an R&R spot of The Pheasant Hotel recommended.
Just outside Holt are the attractive villages of Letheringsett and Edgefield. Edgefield, with its pretty pond, is best known for the hugely popular pub, The Pigs, which has its own spa and is very family-friendly, while Letheringsett has a 19th century watermill which is still working and produces a range of flours which are used across the county to create delicious loaves, a great pub, The King’s Head, and a thriving farm shop, one of the region’s best known, Back to the Garden, which also has a delicious cafe serving its own organic meats.