Holt Country Park review - Norfolk Coast Partnership

Holt Country ParkThis gem of a site on the edge of Holt with its accessible woodland paths and openglades provides opportunities to old and young alike to enjoy the countryside. Thereare waymarked routes including an arts trail and cycle route, network of tracks toexplore, an adventure play area, picnic areas, education facilities and family events.Distance - VariableThere is a selection of colour waymarked routesranging from a few hundred yards to a couple ofmiles shown on information boards with a map alsoavailable from information centre and leaf et dispenser.Aditional extended country walks of four to18 miles information available.LocationThe main site entrance, car park and visitor centreis a mile out of Holt on B1149 Norwich Road.TG082376 (car park).Above: Extract from signboardPlanning your visitManaged by North Norfolk District Council. Tel.01263 513811. Parking charge (£1.50 day - 2012).Leaf et and information available at www.northnorfolk.org. Site open all year. Information centre openThurs-Mon 10-12, 1-4 and closed Tue-Wed (2011).AccessibilityShingle surface car park, disabled parking areaclose to amenities. Disabled adapted toilet, mix ofconcrete and reasonably f rm level surface aroundthis area. Large canopy covered seating/picnicarea, play area with seats and an easy going waymarkedwoodland walk.GATES OR STYLES: NOREFRESHMENTS: NODISABLED TOILETS: YES SEATS: YESArrivingBY CAR: Signposted by Brown tourist signs, entranceis opposite sign on B1149. Gravel surfacedroad leading into large car park. DISABLED parkingarea is in front of the information centre, toiletsand undercover outdoor seating/picnic area. Surfacein this parking area is very f rm but elsewheresome parts are deep loose shingle.

Path surface along here is on sandy soil but leveland solid even after a recent wet spell. Trail is nowjoined by another path on the right before bearingleft (green marker), here there are some tree rootsprotruding but path is wide enough to negotiate by.Even walking alone through this woodland youdo not feel isolated - a distant sound of vehiclesaccompanied by jackdaws cackling and pigeonscooing brings its own calm tranquillity. At the top ofthis track there is one of the many art sculptures inthe park, entitled Gardeners (image below).Thol the giant who greets you as you arriveHolt Country Park has a chequered history that includeshorseracing, farming, forestry and a countrygarden. Now a wonderful country haven with itstranquil mixed woodland setting able to satisfy allages and interests. Whether you enjoy the distinctwoodland aromas and sounds or the abundanceof wildlife from insects like the gloriously namedEmperor dragonf ies and diverse selection of birdsand animals that can be seen and heard.Open all year the park is popular for families anddog walkers. There are picnic and play areas, asculpture trail, seasonal events and educationalprovision.Easy access trail review (September 2011)Using a map guide from the dispenser to followthe easy access (green) trail:From the information centre head back towardsthe site entrance (beware of vehicles). Afterpassing the site service track on the right followthe green trail waymark arrow from the gravelleddrive up an open grassy glade. On your right isa large play whilst on the path a sign providesinformation on ‘Trafalgar Avenue’ that you walkingalong. Nearby the track joining from the right isthe return leg of the original easy access trail. Alsohere is another access point to the play area.The path then bears right - towards the distantarch (relick of the old railway). Easy walking alongthis wide path over general woodland surface - afew raised roots, stones etc. Past the arch arefurther sculptures and the green trail bears right,back towards the centre. (Straight on the woodlandcross-path later intercepts the Blue & Red routes,and to the left is the Red trail/Cycle trail).Continue along the green routewhich branches right along a grassyglade. Midway a new green trailmarker directs you left through thewooded area back towards thevisitor centre. However, the printedmap still showed the green trail ascontinuing to the end of this gladewhere it rejoins the outward route.The new path through the trees waswell worn, although some nettles encroaching forthose in a wheel/pushchair before entering a picnicarea, f nally exiting by the toilets into the car park.NOTE: A selection of photos taken around the siteare shown on the following pages.Further information:North Norfolk District Council: Tel: 01263 513811 or visit www.northnorfolk.org community section.

Pictorial guide to Holt Country ParkBrown site entrance sign on B1149Large shingle covered car parkDisabled parking area close to centreToilet block includes disabled wcEntrance onto start of woodland walk from the gravelled entrance drive

Holt Country Park continuedPlay area adjacent to green easy access trailAccess to play areaMany cross paths intersect the waymarked trailsTypical surface of green trailGreen trail towards the archTypical waymarking signGeneral woodland trail surfaceAbove: some of the art sculptures to be seenNew waymarked green trail return route