Holt

The rural market town of Holt is in the divers county of Norfolk is a lovely Georgian town that rebuilt itself after a tragic fire in 1708. The original settlement of the town grew as a result of its location, where two ancient roads crossed. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the town is mentioned as a market town and a port that was seen as a thriving place. Holt grew to be a place of trade and commerce, with a weekly market. The great fire devastated Holt but with a large number of donations from all over the country, reconstruction began and Holt re-emerged as a beautiful Georgian town. Although most of the structures where built anew, the Norman church was salvaged and dedicated to St. Andrew.

The centre of Holt is dominated by a fine cross of Clipsham stone in the market place that remains the heart of the activity here with shops, pubs, eateries and amenities all about. Further roads run off the High Street with lots of independent traders, many hidden away in yards, alleys and lanes. Visitors will note the many images of an owl in the town; the symbolism is in reference to a legend that tells of an owl that bothered the town’s residents and kept escaping capture. It is said that workmen at the church caught the owl and stuffed it up a water spout, leaving it to drown; but despite their certainty, it escaped by flying out of the top. The owl is represented at the Owl Tea Rooms and in the town sign.

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