Discover Holt

Holt in Wiltshire offers several distinct themes to consider when planning your trip. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay there, you can include the Church of St Katherine, The Courts Garden near Trowbridge, the Holt Scarecrow Trail held every August, and a route along the Kennet and Avon Canal as different interests. Architecture, landscaped garden areas, the village event and a walking route each offer a distinct focus.

Church and local history

The Church of St Katherine is an Anglican parish church listed Grade II*. A notable detail on the 15th-century tower sits beneath a large image niche: two relief-carved wheels of St Catherine. The combination of the niche and wheels makes the tower’s design tangible for anyone interested in religious architecture. Those comparing churches through their architectural history will find two points of reference here: the tower’s date and the relief motif.

Another historical marker is Holt Spa. Lady Lisle and Rev James Lewis promoted it in 1720. This places the 15th-century tower and the promotion of Holt Spa alongside each other as distinct themes in the village’s history.

Garden and August event

The Courts Garden is in Holt, near Trowbridge in Wiltshire. Water gardens, herbaceous borders, topiary, an arboretum and a kitchen garden bring together different design features: water and herbaceous plantings meet shaped shrubs, established trees and the kitchen garden. This lets you explore the grounds through different forms of garden design.

Free parking for The Courts Garden is 80 yards away, on the opposite side of the B3107, in the Village Hall car park. As parking arrangements may change, check the latest visitor information before travelling.

The Holt Scarecrow Trail takes place every August in the village of Holt. Visitors can follow imaginatively designed scarecrows throughout the village, created by local residents. Their spread across the village is important for planning: the trail extends across the village rather than being confined to a single stop. As part of the event, community groups, village churches, pubs and a café offer refreshments. If you want to time your trip to coincide with the trail, check the dates for the relevant year.

Waterways and Footpath 63

For orientation in the south of the parish, the River Avon and Kennet and Avon Canal should be considered separately. The River Avon forms part of the southern boundary of Holt parish; the canal runs through its southernmost part. Footpath 63 follows the Kennet and Avon Canal westwards from the boundary with Staverton parish to the boundary with Bradford on Avon. A 2019 survey by Holt Parish Council gives the path’s length as approximately 1,609 metres. The westward route and the two parish boundaries provide clear reference points for planning. Check local conditions before walking or cycling.

Discover more destinations: Chippenham, Christian Malford, Bratton, Whiteparish, Crudwell, Salisbury, Broad Chalke, Shalbourne

For the main travel overview: Wiltshire.