Holt Antique Furniture Ltd, Norfolk, England

05/09/2026

Wymondham, a Friday morning whilst on my travels, and a doorway garlanded in autumn leaves that I had absolutely no intention of walking past.

sits behind one of the best shopfronts in the town — timber and applied panelwork above, warm red brick below, and a window dressed with more conviction than most museums manage. Pumpkins, besoms, bare birch, a scatter of falling leaves. It stops you on the pavement. That is the entire job of a window, and so few get it right.

Inside is better. Green walls, a midnight-blue ceiling scattered with gold stars, a chandelier, and that particular density of stock which rewards a slow second lap. A cased tawny owl presiding over the room, properly certificated. A replica Viking helm with full mail aventail and a leather interior. Drinking horns, mead, candles, oils, crystals by the basketful, and a rack of frocks I could hear most ladies approving of from thirty miles away!

I deal in early antiques, so I am not the obvious customer, and rarely do ai recommend another business. But the instinct is identical: objects chosen with a point of view, arranged by someone who cares, in a building that carries its own history. That is a proper shop. There are fewer of them every year.

Go. Take cash for the crystals and a strong will for the helm.

📍 Market Street, Wymondham · Weds–Fri 11–5, Sat 10–5

02/09/2026

I can't say anymore than to write this...

Mez, my adorable, very regal, incredibly loveable, singing, smiling hound had to be put to sleep at the untimely age of 6, today.

Whilst the loss of any animal is hard, the loss of Mez has completely broken me. He was diagnosed with aggressive inoperable bone cancer last week and I have had make the painful decision to let him pass over the rainbow bridge🌈

He was so brave. My heart is breaking, as it has done so continually for the last week, since receiving the news of his cancer diagnosis.

🌈

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01/09/2026

Taken from a death mask. Slightly smaller than life — clay shrinks as it dries, and this is a clay positive pressed from the original mortuary mould, the impressions of the binding bandages still visible to the sides, crown and beneath the chin. The sculptor then returned to it with striated blue-grey brows and rouged lips — a quietly affecting act of restoration to life.

Turn it over and the making is laid bare: overlapping thumb-pressed pats of clay, every impression still crisp.

It dates from the great age of the death mask, when casts of the departed were taken for study, remembrance, and the phrenologist's cabinet.

English, first half of the 19th century. POA — enquiries via the link in bio.

31/08/2026

A Watchman's Companion — Late 18th Century Pierced Toleware Lantern

There is something quietly moving about a lantern that has kept its candle. Open the hinged door of this late eighteenth-century toleware guard lantern and you find the original socket still seated in a pool of ancient wax — with a spent match lying beside it, dropped by the last hand to strike a light here, when, we don't know...

Of characteristic cylindrical form with a conical crown, the whole surface is alive with punched and pierced decoration, each perforation cut to throw a scatter of light whilst shielding the flame from the wind. A lens to the front and bullseye to the back cast the beam; blind ports flank the sides; and the crimped cap and strap hanging loop are wrought with the unselfconscious flair of the provincial tinsmith.

With an old blackened surface, honest losses to the pierced door, and standing approximately 11" (28cm) high.

An evocative survivor from the age of the night watch, when light was carried, not switched.

Enquiries and worldwide shipping via link in bio.

29/08/2026

And so, the final curtain.

Today we closed the door at Walsingham Mill for the last time. For many years this remarkable old building has been home to Holt Antiques — the backdrop to countless conversations, discoveries, friendships, and the comings and goings of some truly wonderful objects. Buildings like this one get under your skin, and leaving is not done lightly. But we can honestly say we did it our way.

This is not an ending, though — merely a change of scene. We are delighted to be moving to new purpose-built premises at Unit 1, Hall Farm, East Raynham, Norfolk, NR21 7EE, opening at the start of October 2026, where we look forward to welcoming customers old and new with more space, longer hours, and the same stock in depth you'd expect of us.

To everyone who climbed the Mill's stairs over the years — thank you. The kettle will be on at Hall Farm.

23/08/2026

The Resurrection and the Majesty — a rare 16th century Flemish carved oak double panel, c. 1550–1600.

Two devotional scenes survive within Renaissance arched niches: the Risen Christ, shroud-wrapped and bearing the vexillum, and Christ in Majesty enthroned upon billowing clouds with the cross-surmounted orb. Almost certainly preserved from a chest front or church furnishing, with an honest, dry surface and centuries of quiet history in its timber.

30" x 12¼". POA — enquiries via the link in bio.

22/08/2026

17/08/2026

Well, Soul II Soul said it best — we're keeping on moving. 🎶

Our time at Walsingham Mill is drawing to a close.

Our last day of trading at the Mill will be Saturday 29th August 2026 — the August Bank Holiday weekend —11am–5pm, before we move to our new home at Unit 1, Hall Farm, East Raynham, NR21 7EE. Same team, same values, and the same beautiful early oak, country furniture and curiosities — simply moving on to a new setting.

Thank you to every one of our loyal customers for your support over the years. The Mill chapter closes, the Raynham chapter begins — and we don't plan on standing still. Sound on for this one. 🔊

09/08/2026

After many happy years, our time at Walsingham Mill is drawing to a close.

Our last day of trading at the Mill will be Saturday 29th August 2026 — the August Bank Holiday weekend — before we move to our new home at Unit 1, Hall Farm, East Raynham, NR21 7EE.

Same team, same values, and the same beautiful early oak, country furniture and curiosities, in a new setting.

OUR WEBSITE WILL CONTINUE!

If you'd like to visit the Mill one last time, we'd love to see you — either by appointment during the week, or during our Bank Holiday opening hours of 11am–5pm. Please call before travelling.

And a little good news to go with the move: once we're settled in at East Raynham, we'll be increasing our opening hours — making it easier than ever to call in and browse at your leisure. New times to follow in due course, so keep an eye on this page.

Thank you to every one of our loyal customers for your support over the years — we can't wait to throw open the doors and welcome you in.



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