HOLT, a village, a parish, and a sub-district in Martley district, Worcestershire. The village stands on the river Severn, 3 miles NW of Fearnall-Heath r. station, and 5½ NNW of Worcester; and has a post office under Worcester. -The parish includes also Holt-Heath hamlet, and Little Witley chapelry; and comprises 2, 911 acres. Real property, £4, 764. Pop., 503. Houses, 110. The property is divided among a few. The manor and nearly all the land belong to Earl Dudley. Holt Castle is a fine ancient baronial mansion, with lofty embattled tower; was formerly the seat of the Warwicks, the Beauchamps, the Bromleys, and the Foleys; and is now occupied by a farmer. A piece of Roman pavement, 3 feet by 2, was found here in 1848. The living is a rectory, united with the p. curacy of Little Witley, in the diocese of Worcester. Value, £579. * Patron, Earl Dudley. The church is Norman; was recently restored; consists of nave, S aisle, and chancel, with a low tower; and contains a few ancient monuments. There are a national school, and charities £16.—The sub-district excludes Little Witley chapelry, but includes five other parishes, and an extra-parochial tract. Acres, 13, 997. Pop., 3, 509. Houses, 763.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))