Discover Norfolk
Holt and the Villages of the Glaven Valley
If towns could be whittled down into colours and textures, Holt would be a delicate duck egg blue with a neat strip of bunting draped along the top. That’s part of its charm.
Local Features
A postcard-perfect Georgian town full of flint buildings, colour-washed houses, cobblestone alleyways, quaint coffee shops, boutique clothing shops, delis, galleries, bakers, butchers, fishmongers and everything else that makes a place quintessentially English, Holt has all this and more.
Country parks, woodland paths, centuries-old manor houses, steam-powered railway lines and some of Norfolk’s most untouched beaches just a handful of miles away. And yet the surrounding villages have their own unique sense of magic. The countryside village of Wiveton, the quayside harbour town of Blakeney, the pebbled-beaches of Cley and Salthouse and the pinch-yourself pretty village of Weybourne, each of them ready to steal a little piece of your heart, whether you’re just passing through or making it your home-away-from-home.
The History
There’s only one way to say it: Holt has history, and one that might just take you by surprise. Strolling around the cobbled streets, much of this market town feels Georgian, which it is. Yet Holt dates back to Roman times, while the Domesday Book describes it as a settlement of 60 males, 90 sheep, 60 pigs, 1 carthorse, 5 mills, a port and a market. But fast-forward a few centuries to 1708 and you start to understand the history you see on every corner for this was the year the Great Fire of Holt broke out, reducing this celebrated town in mere hours.
Over the next 100 years, however, Holt was rebuilt using brick, stone and flint to establish its gorgeously Georgian roots, while the back lanes, higgledy-piggledy streets and pretty yards provide a perfectly Victorian twist.
Featured Retreats
Individually selected holiday cottages
Discover our latest selection of featured retreats. From new properties to late availability, there’s a luxury holiday awaiting your arrival.
View all holiday cottages in Holt and the Villages of the Glaven Valley
The Barefoot Journal
A little inspiration to enjoy during your stay
Just for you, we’ve created The Barefoot journal, a guide packed with ideas, inspiration, experiences and activities. Uncover new destinations and discover hidden gems from the North Norfolk coast.
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Create a totally unique stay
At Barefoot Retreats, we know your time is precious, which is why we have hand-picked a range of tailored activities and experiences to enhance and personalise your stay.
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