Holt, which remained a borough, with a mayor, until 1886, was originally known as Villa Leonis, or the Town of Lyons, after the castle. It was not until the 16th century that the name Holt (Wood) started being introduced.
The design of the castle was unusual in that it was a five-sided building. The castle was set on the banks of the Dee and what it lacked in strength of natural position could be easily made up by the breadth and depth of its moat and the strength of its walls and towers.
It was constructed by John de Warrenne, seventh Earl of Surrey and Lord of Bromfield and Yale, acting in conjunction with Edward I. The king was aware that Chester needed a south-western defence post holding a crossing of the Dee in the lordship of Bromfield. It is likely that the foundation of the castle would have been shortly after the King granted the lands of Bromfield to John de Warrenne in 1282.
This followed the failed rebellion by Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, Prince of Wales, fighting for Welsh independence. Little but the central boss of sandstone, and some internal wall remains today.
The site of the Roman works depot at Holt was excavated in 1907 by T Arthur Acton, of Wrexham. The evidence suggests that the works depot was established towards the end of the first century, its main purpose being to supply tiles for the rebuilding of the legionary fortress at Chester.
More recent notable events include, in the 19th century, H.G.Wells living in the village for a short time, being an usher at Holt Academy in 1888, and the proposals to build a canal spur, and later a railway, to assist the transport of strawberries etc. from the extensive market gardens of Holt (neither, in fact, materialised).
Holt Local History Society has produced and way-marked a Village Trail, which takes one around the key features of the village. This can be purchased at local shops.
your comments
Bronwyn Davies, NSW Australia
I have found that my great grandfather was born in Holt - Henry Davies, b. early 1848, parents Thomas and Mary Davies. At some point Henry left and moved to Yorkshire, where he married Emma Tissington in Wombwell in 1873. Henry, Emma and their 9 children emigrated to Australia in 1902. I am hoping to visit Holt while in the UK in June. I have not traced Henry's siblings but understand Thomas Davies remarried, to Ethel Morris and had other children with her, one was Enoch Davies, b.1860, who also moved to Wombwell and was living there at the 1881 census and married there in 1884. I don't know if the rest of the family remained in Holt.
Tue May 26 08:34:48 2009
Andrew Riley now in Staffordshire
For Tracy Nevitt. I spent a lot of my youth in and around Holt, if I'm correct we're of similar age. In fact you probably remember Vince too, he used to acompany me on our little jaunts from Wrexham Industrial Estate. Nige from 'The Gred' was my best mate. My nan and grandad lived on Church St. I still pass through occasionally. Didn't you marry Adrian from Marchwiel? If you reply let me know what happened to some of the 'Holt Crew'.
Wed Apr 15 10:29:43 2009
Steve, Holt
Holt "near forest" a Saxon name. Also can be found in Viking history "Holt the Axe" was a Viking King, said to be cursed to remain immortal until he had physically died 21 times and reborn - the number of priests he has slaughtered as king. Appeared in several decades always as the same man, aged 40 wielding the same axe...
Thu Apr 2 08:20:36 2009
Sylvia Brereton nee Williams, Malpas
I lived in Holt for 64 years. My gran lived at Holt Hall which was and still is the fish and chip shop, before that it was a girls' school. I lived in the academy which was the boys' school. I left Holt 7 years ago but still go back most weeks to see my friends.
Tue Mar 10 14:26:25 2009
Rand Holt, USA
Does anyone here know how Holt came to be called such? My surname is also Holt and I know my family roots go back to the UK and there are several places that bear this name. Just curious.
Mon Jan 26 08:41:06 2009
Sharon from Flintshire
Hi, could someone tell me if there is a Family History Society for Holt besides Clwyd FHS and Wrexham Museum? My ancestors the Greens and the Chaloners were from this area. I also believe there is a book "A Pictorial History of Holt". Would anyone have any idea where I can obtain a copy from? Thanks.
Tue Jan 13 11:45:48 2009
Gill Norman from Nantwich, Cheshire
I am tracing my family tree. Their name was Chadwick and they have lived in Holt as far as I can find out at least from 1790. Does anyone have Peter Chadwick in their family tree? He was my great grandfather and was born in Holt around 1874.
Mon Nov 24 10:08:08 2008
Verna Murray, Saskatchewan, Canada
My grandfather Vernon Jones was a pupil at the Holt Academy at age 8 in 1891. Would like to know more about the Academy.
Mon Nov 17 08:37:31 2008
Pete Clutton
Tracing my family tree, I have found that my family was strong around Commonwood Holt and Isycoed but more so towards Wrexham. I have traced my family name into the 1750s but having trouble before then. Up to now I do not think I have any living relatives left in Holt, the history is great though.
Mon Nov 10 09:01:39 2008
Tracey Nevitt (Marford)
For Gail from Blackpool. We moved to Holt in 1973 and lived at EspHill, where my dad was the farmer. I remember calling in at the little newsagents either en route to school or back. 1977 we moved over to Farndon where we carried on our schooling, but I was back in Holt for my first job at the nursing home (formerly the old rectory), opposite the green. Spent most of my weekends between the 3 village pubs and then moved back into the village in 1994. By 1997 I was living in the old academy and married in the chapel across the road. I now live in Marford but visit the village regularly and I will always class myself as a Holt girl.
Mon Nov 10 08:45:25 2008
Lee Rogers, Brymbo, Wrexham
To Andrea, Wrexham, my grandad's family all come from Holt and my grandad grew up in a small community in the Moss Valley called the Boat House. Maybe we can help each other?
Mon Oct 6 08:31:25 2008
Karin Harris from Monmouthshire
My family lived in Holt for many generations. They were the Heskeths and I know lived there from 1670 - 1900. Is there anyone who has any knowledge of them? I believe they ran a pub plus a small field. I know one of the grave stones is just inside the porch of the church.
Tue Sep 2 08:59:33 2008
Jane Stinson from Australia
Still trying to find info on my dad and grandad "Stanton". My dad's birth certificate, Harvey Stanton, says he was born in Bridge cottage 1921. He had a brother named Frank. Any info out there? Thanks heaps!
Mon Aug 25 19:52:19 2008
Terry Williams from Bradford
I wonder if any one has any photos or information of any evacuees during the second world war, my father and uncle lived on a farm in Holt during the war. They were sent there from Liverpool. Their names were Arthur and Owen Williams. Owen's grave is in the graveyard near the the cross.
Mon Apr 7 09:21:41 2008
Patricia, Manchester
I found that my gggg grandparents Job Dawson and Elizabeth Harrison came from Holt whilst tracing my family history, and believe some Dawsons may be buried in the church there. If anyone can help me with any information it would be appreciated.
Tue Mar 4 09:22:39 2008
Gail Grimshaw from Blackpool
I grew up in Holt from 1968 until moving to Blackpool in 1978. My parents ran the little newsagent, which was open 6am-9pm, long days. It is a place that will never be forgotten as I had such a wonderful childhood down there, so free to wander. Getting involved in family history and learning about the village so steeped in history which was not appreciated at the time. My family had the Old Hall Estate, and my grandmother grew up at Esphil. Great place to visit with lots of fond memories.
Thu Jan 3 09:43:12 2008
Jayne Wright from Holt, Wrexham
I have lived in Holt for 21 yrs. My dad's family have lived here in Holt for a long time and still do. I'm originally a Parker, my great grandma was a Williams. I remember as a child picking strawberries off their fields. Travelling from Chester on the local bus seemed to take all day!
Thu Nov 8 16:42:37 2007
Margret Hunt from Australia
My ancestry is from Holt and I will be visiting Holt next March. I have been reading everything I can and making a list of the things I want to see. I am getting quite excited to think I will walk the same trails and be in the same village as my 5th grandfather walked. But how cool would it be to meet descendants of the same family. Edward Frederick Holmes born 1785 and Elizabeth Clay born 1786 their son Richard born Holt 1823 and Mary Ball, their son Joseph born Malpas 1848 & Bella Bradshaw, their son Herbert Wellwood Holmes born Salford 1871 and Isabella Daniels my grandmother Mary Holmes she was born Salford and moved to Australia with my mother and husband. From what I can see the Holmes were quite a big family and I hope some still remain in Holt. I know I will enjoy my visit to Holt I love the history, where Australia's history is only 219 years old.
Wed Nov 7 13:08:05 2007
Ann Lindsay Wright from USA
I was born in Holt in 1959, my name then was Megan Lloyd, I was adopted and lived in Southport, Merseyside, until 2005 when I emigrated to the USA. I wish I could find out more about the place I was born and my birth parents. I hope to visit Holt one day.
Fri Oct 26 09:02:28 2007
Phil from Manchester
I'm fairly lucky in that I still visit Holt quite regularly. My mother and (of course) her family are from there. She is now 91 and was Mary Jones. I wonder if anyone else remembers her family? Her mother was Alice and my grandfather was called Henry. The had several children, Mary, Betty, Frank and Harry (both became policemen). I know my grandmother Alice came from 'Turn o' Dee' in Bangor but I don't know very much about my grandfather's family.
If Val Seymour reads this - we may have been in school together. I was born in 1953, and I attended Holt Infant school for a short while. Life was so simple then, picking strawberries and hanging around "the cross"! Happy days!
Fri Oct 19 08:37:41 2007
Emma, Carlisle
I have lived in Holt in my younger years for 21 years and my family is still around that area who I do miss immensely. I do hope to return to the village again as Holt has been my life and loved every min of being there, so I do say if you haven't been there before then why not? Just go and have a lovely time xx
Tue Oct 2 10:16:35 2007
Andrea from Wrexham
I have discovered that my great great grandfather John Speed c1823 was born in Holt and his wife Elizabeth Woodfin was born in Tilston. If anyone can help me with any family history information I would be much obliged.
Thu Aug 23 15:38:49 2007
Derek Tapp from Holt
Well I have lived in Holt for 73 years, born and bred here, and love the beautiful border village so much I set up a website, so anyone who lived here and would like to visit in cyber space log into www.holtvillage.btinternet.co.uk
Tue Aug 7 09:49:22 2007
Tamara Brown Berkshire
My great grandmother, Emma Jones nee Lewis lived in Holt. Her parents were Hannah Bellis and Job Lewis. Job's parents were George Lewis and Elizabeth(?). I have not got any further so my own nan and I are interested in any more information about the family. If anyone can keep us going with our quest then that would be appreciated!
Sun Mar 5 19:28:39 2006
Melanie Hani
My mum and I lived in The White Lion pub from 1988 to 2000. The time there is a remembered and very special period in my life. It was filled with laughter and fun and I made such wonderful life long friends. Tears came when my mum died in 2000. She is sorely missed and so is my life in Holt. Never again in my life, will I ever be as happy and content. Its in my heart.
Mon Jun 27 23:16:39 2005
jon roberts
i grew up in holt in the 70,s i lived in the big house next to the white lion , i still go ther now to visit family, and although there are a lot more houses it is still one of the few places that has remained relatively unchanged in 30 years.
Wed Mar 2 02:05:40 2005
Val Seymour from Cranleigh, Surrey
I grew up in Holt from 1953 until my marriage in 1972 when I moved away. I have never been back but always remember the freedom of growing up in such a beautiful part of Wales.
Tue May 4 10:02:25 2004
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