Norfolk Days Out

Now that the kids are back at school and the days are getting shorter, our thoughts are already turning to Christmas. Last year, on a visit to one of the lovely North Norfolk hotels, our trip coincided with the Holt Christmas Lights Switch-On and we had a great evening. OK, it was a bit of a bun fight, with hundreds of people heading to Holt for exactly the same thing, but it was a great night out and we really enjoyed our long weekend break Norfolk.

The lights are always switched on on the fourth Wednesday of November so the weather’s usually colder by then and people are starting to get into the Christmas spirit. And with the shops staying open late and all sorts of stalls set up along the High Street, the pretty, Georgian town of Holt lends itself perfectly for this sort of event.

This year more than ever before the British public are looking to the UK for their yearly summer holiday. A culmination of recession and uncertainty about foreign destinations has left people feeling more comfortable with spending their holiday time in the UK.

One of the most popular regions in England is Norfolk, in particular, North Norfolk. It is famed worldwide for its history and beautiful landscapes. Holt is close to the coast as well as being a stones throw away from the Norfolk broads.

Over the last few years many North Norfolk Hotels have undergone renovations and improvements making them more in-line with upmarket luxury boutique hotels that you would find in parts of London. This has brought in a new client base ranging from the rich and famous to those just want a quiet weekend away in a luxury bed and breakfast.

If you are planning a few days away, you will find some of the very best hotels in North Norfolk located in and around the picturesque, Georgian town of Holt. Situated just three miles from the coast, this busy place is surrounded by the lovely countryside of the Glaven Valley and, perhaps because of the many farms and arable land around it, it has kept its quirky, country charm. That’s not to say that Holt has not kept up with the times, however, as there are all sorts of bars, cafes and restaurants here, but somehow it still manages to be a little sleepy and that’s its appeal – its pretty High Street is made up of charming, pastel-coloured buildings and the staff in the shops are quite happy to stop for a chat.

If you have ever stayed in one of the lovely North Norfolk hotels or spent a weekend break in Norfolk, you will probably already know all about Holt.

Located between Wells and Cromer, this picturesque, Georgian place is a shoppers paradise – packed full of antique shops, craft emporiums and galleries that are perfect for a morning or afternoons browsing.

There are all sorts on offer here, from toy shops such as Starling’s on the High Street (the toys are upstairs) to both wooden toys and childrens clothes at Mini Milou in Appleyard. Meanwhile, you will find fashionable outdoor wear for adults in stores such as Joules and Fat Face, again on the High Street and in Appleyard respectively. Then there are the jewellery stores, far more than you would find in any other town this size. For modern jewellery, try YouNo on Shirehall Plain, or for something more substantial there is Webbs County Jeweller’s at the entrance to the town.