A BRIEF HALT AT HOLT

Chancel Arch at Holt 

North Door a delightful Norman confection

When the Normans were trying to subjugate the Welsh they allowed  a whole swath of land from the River Severn west, right into the Principality of Wales, become wild moorland, a natural barrier, fortified by bramble and bog. Little was built in this region. The land did not see a plough until the 16C

However provision was made for the Church and thus St Martin’s Church was built by the Normans, an 11C treasure trove of Norman architectural bravura, completely intact!  

A door that welcomes you in  Holt Church 

The very best of Norman carving from warm pink sandstone. 

We were visiting with friends Chris and Liz from Worcester and so we crossed the river and explored Holt. The little church was open and the lights easily accessible so I was able to make some drawings.

Opposite St Martin’s is  Tudor gatehouse of what was once Holt Castle another defence remonstrance against Glendower and his ilk . The rest of the village was moved north some centuries ago.

Simon Jenkins (England's Thousand Best Churches) remarks ‘most counties have at least one Norman survivor and Holt is Worcestershire’s’