Holt is a remarkably clean and neat town, built on a rising ground, with
a market on Saturdays: it is twenty-four miles from Norwich and ten from
Cromer. The air of Holt is reckoned particularly salubrious, and its
situation very agreeable. It has much increased of late in population,
and several excellent houses have been built in or near it. In the year
1708 it suffered greatly from an accidental fire, which destroyed great
part of it.
A fine spring issues out of a gravel hill on Sprout Common, on the
south-west side of the town, which affords an ample supply to the place
of pure soft water. The spring-head is securely walled round, and is
visited by many, not only as a natural curiosity, but also for the
purpose of enjoying the fine prospect which it commands over the
picturesque valley of the Glaven, on the west side of the common, to
which the spring gives name. The rectory-house is very pleasantly
situated near this spot, commanding a delightful view of the
Letheringsett and Bayfield woods.
The race-ground was broken up at the inclosure, in 1809. Assemblies are
still held occasionally at the shire-hall.
The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is an ancient structure, with a
square tower, but has no spire. It contains monuments and inscriptions
to the memory of the Holmes, Hobart, Butler, and Briggs families, with
several others. The living is in the gift of St. John’s College,
Cambridge.
The grammar-school was founded by Sir John Gresham, alderman of London, a
native of this place. The Fishmongers’ Company, of London, are governors
of the school.
The principal inn is the Feathers.
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We now take our leave—not that we have exhausted our subject, but because
our limits forbid us to add more. Farewell, then, Cromer!—Farewell
magnificent billows! ye lofty cliffs, ye swelling hills, ye verdant
woods, and ye, pure and invigorating breezes!—dear are you all, for the
impress of Him who made you is stamped upon you, and a grateful
recollection will hallow your remembrance. Prosperity be upon you and on
your inhabitants. Long may the invalid continue to recover health from
your waters, the weary in spirit to regain vigour, the mourner to receive
alleviation to the sorrow which passes show, the youthful and happy to
appreciate and enjoy your beauties. May all success be yours—in all
truth, and to its utmost extent—farewell!
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