The fourth Wednesday of November each year sees Holt transformed…
Thousands of white fairy lights draped over the Georgian buildings pick out the windows and roof lines, turning the town into a winter wonderland.
If you are able to make the switching on ceremony then you will be able to enjoy street entertainment, food, and late-night opening of the shops. But even if you miss the first night, make sure that you pop into Holt as it’s going dark, and take in the lights.
Holt Christmas Lights
If you are still hoping to experience the spectacle of this year’s Thursford Christmas show, then time is running out…
All of the December dates have now sold-out, and the remaining November dates with availability are selling out fast.
Similarly if you need accommodation, our November dates are booking-up, although we do still have mid-week availability (which coincide nicely with available show dates). And remember, when you book mid-week, you get four nights for the price of three!
So if you would like to experience the very best of variety entertainment, and combine it with a short break in cosy surroundings, it’s time to spring into action!
Tags: Thusford Accommodation, Thursford Christmas Spectacular 2011
…well not necessarily if you want to make the most of the festivities, and plan a break to get into the Christmas spirit.
Oaktree Cottage is already booked for the week of Christmas, but there is plenty more going on through November and December to provide a good dose of seasonal cheer.
The Thursford Spectacular, now amazingly in its 34th year, still has a few dates available. More than 130,000 people make the trip every year (including a certain William and Kate last year) so if you would like to join them, time to buy your ticket is running out. The show opens on 9th November, and runs through until 23rd December.
Later in November (23rd), the switch-on of the Holt Christmas lights is another event not to be missed. If you have visited Holt, you will know how attractive the Georgian buildings are – but through December, the outline of the gables and windows is picked out in thousands of tiny white fairy lights. Last year the lights were turned on by Jake Humphries of BBC F1 fame.
To celebrate the switch-on, Holt is turned into something of a festive fair for the evening, with many of the shops serving festive nibbles and drinks, and with reindeer providing sleigh rides! I’ve seen the lights of Oxford Street and the West End of London many times now, but still think the lights of Holt have a charm that they just can’t compete with.
Also in late November (25th to 27th) you can beat the Royals to their Christmas at Sandringham by visiting the Sandringham Food, Craft and Country Gift fair at the Sandringham estate. It certainly beats the scrum on the high streets for a bit of quality shopping!
By early December things are in full swing – with the following being some of the highlights:
If you want some hands-on fun, then Sheringham Park is running a Twelve Days of Christmas event on 3rd December, where you can hear the origins of many of our Christmas traditions, and come away with a wreath or yule log that you have made.
At Blickling Hall (see Houses and Gardens) the hall is decorated for Christmas and open 3rd/4th, 10th/11th, and 17th/18th December. The gardens are lit with Christmas lights, and festive entertainment is laid on.
Felbrigg Hall also joins with the festivities for the weekend of 16th to 18th December, with characters from the past adding to the atmosphere. On 18th you can join in with carols in the courtyard.
The Christmas Seaside Special on Cromer Pier (Pier of the Year 2011, incidentally) starts on 3rd December, and runs through to New Year’s Eve.
Finally, for kids of all ages, there are Santa Specials running on the local steam railways (See Rail & Steam attractions).
The North Norfolk Railway is running services 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, and 20th-24th December
The Bure Valley service runs on 26th and 27th November, and 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, and 17th to 24th December.
So, if you fancy something a bit different this year, why not check our availability and book a break with us? Enjoy as much festivity as you can handle, then sit back and relax in front of the fire!
Like most webmasters, I keep an eye on how people arrive at our site, and one of the most common queries relates to crab fishing. So, as they say, by popular demand, a bit more information on the subject!
Why go crabbing?
Well for a start you’re not going to catch your supper, but crabbing is a great activity for the kids for a number of reasons:
-Go to the right spot and use the right bait, and you will get results!
-…and get them before the boredom creeps in.
-Crabs are also pretty alien looking, so you also get the Urgh! factor that kids love!
So where are the right spots?
Since crab lines just dangle from a reel, you need somewhere with vertical access to deepish water. Two top spots for this in North Norfolk are Wells harbour (when the tide is in), or Cromer Pier at any state of the tide.
…And the best bait?
Crabs find their food by smell, so in short, smelly food! When I’ve been out on the crab boats, fish which is ‘less than fresh’ shall we say, seems to be the favourite. But for crabbing from the pier or harbour, raw bacon or fish is a good bet. If you’re planning on enjoying a cooked breakfast at the cottage, then put some of the bacon rind aside first.
What equipment do you need?
If you are staying at the Oaktree Cottage, you should find all you need in the shed. Basically you need a bucket (to keep your catch alive in sea water until you release them), and some crab lines. The lines need a means of attaching the bait in a way that the crabs can’t just grab it and run – so a small mesh bag is ideal.
And isn’t it cruel?
Uniquely for fishing, you won’t catch a crab that doesn’t want to be caught! Crab lines use no hooks, and do not trap the crabs in any way. The way that you catch them is that the crabs get hold of the bait, and then don’t want to let go as you reel them in.
So if you’re on holiday in the area, why not have a go at reeling in a Cromer crab?
After about a year with only one pub, Briston is soon to see the re-opening of The Three Horseshoes.
The Stracey Inn, which closed in the late summer of 2010, is now reverting to its original name, and opening under new management.
The Three Horseshoes is a lovely building dating back to the 17th century, although there has reputedly been a pub on the site since the 15th century, making it one of the oldest in North Norfolk.
So, although we are not exactly lacking in places for a meal out from Oaktree Cottage (the Hunny Bell and The Pigs both offer excellent pub grub at reasonable prices) it will be great to have another option, especially as it is less than a 5 minute walk from the cottage. After all, it’s nice not to have to self-cater on a self-catering holiday!
The North Norfolk Railway (NNR), operating from Holt to Sheringham (approx 15 minutes from Oaktree Cottage), has recently taken delivery of the Black Prince, which will run on the line for at least two years.
The locomotive is on long-term loan from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (G/WR), after they suffered from a collapsed embankment, and will be raising funds for the G/WR as well as for its owner’s charity, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
The engine is the most powerful steam locomotive in Britain, and makes short work of the 1 in 80 incline between Holt and Weybourne. It certainly makes all the right noises, and can be heard around the towns & villages along the length of the line.
The Black Prince at Weybourne on the North Norfolk Railway
For more information on the North Norfolk Railway, and for other similar attractions close to Oaktree Cottage, check out our Rail & Steam attractions pages.
It has been a while since we last posted – but many thanks to everyone who has left a message in our visitors book. It is truly rewarding to see that you are really enjoying the cottage so much.
Thanks also for those of you who have already booked repeat stays – we see this as the ultimate compliment!
Some of your more recent entries…
Cosy comfortable cottage in great position from which to travel. We have been lucky with the weather so the outdoor furniture was useful!
Tastefully furnished cottage. Everything provided. Loved the tree lined lanes. Best seaside Hunstanton, lovely walks through Stody. Stody Garden and Blickling are stunning.
I have had a great stay in Oak Tree Cottage Briston. We explored the area and found a beautiful location with lovely friendly people.
We will definitely be back, possibly in July for the flower show at Sandringham!
Thank You!
We loved our stay at Oak Tree Cottage + Exploring the surrounding area. Brilliant cottage, great weather, and an excellent holiday.
Thank You.
Cosy, warm, relaxing cottage in great position for local attractions.
We have enjoyed our stay in this lovely cottage. Beautifully decorated – we love the art works – and everything provided to a high standard. We have particularly enjoyed the birdlife here, on the coast, and at Pensthorpe. We shall need 2 weeks next time.
Thank You.
A beautiful and well equipped cottage. We just love the coastline here, and the bird life. The coastal Hopper bus has been most useful!
We hope to return!
Thank you!
Perhaps you only have to take a walk along one of the many local beaches and smell the freshness of the sea air to know that the beaches are clean and safe, but it’s always nice to have that officially recognised.
In the 2011 Blue Flag awards, Cromer, Sheringham, Hunstanton and Sea Palling have all been recognised for their water quality and litter-free beaches.
So what about the rest? The blue flag requires beaches to have facilities that are appropriate to resorts rather than many of the wilder beaches (lifesavers, restrooms, recycling facilities etc.).
However, since the Blue Flag beaches are spread all the way across the North Norfolk coast, it does show that the water is clean.
More from the guestbook…
Lovely Cottage in perfect location for touring Norfolk.
We enjoyed every moment here.
Wish we had booked 2 weeks stay.
There are many formal wildlife attractions in and around North Norfolk, from the bird reserves such as Pensthorpe and Cley, to the seal trips from Morston and Blakeney, but you are also likely to encounter plenty of variety just while getting around the countryside.
If you keep your eyes peeled around the fields and woodland early in the morning or evening, you will most likely spot red deer, muntjak, or Chinese water deer. Along country lanes and fields keep an eye out for hares – which whilst once once quite rare, are now becoming much more abundant.
Other recent ‘spots’ include a barn owl – resting in a tree during a daylight hunting foray, and a sparrow hawk, making a breif but acrobatically spectacular visit to the garden of the cottage.