A literary celebration
25th July – 1st August 2026
Following the success of our fifth birthday weekend of events last summer we are back… bigger, better, and extended to a whole week of celebrations, as befits the shop – “Now We Are Six”.
Once again, our thanks go to all our customers, and also the regular seasonal visitors that make our shop what it is today. We simply would not be enjoying the success that enables us to offer such a variety of events without the encouragement we have received throughout the year.
Our philosophy behind the celebration is not just to offer author events and speakers as other festivals are apt to, but provide a multi-faceted experience of the arts, music and film. With a nod to our Georgian heritage, we open with an evening of the music of Jane Austen. Afternoon tea, a Nero award-winning author and even a miniature pony are thrown in for good measure! All proceeds from refreshments served at the venues during the week go to support Holt Community Centre and St Andrew’s Church.
Individual event tickets – including a week pass for just £129 for all the events – are on sale online at buytickets.at/theholtbookshop – or you can buy multiple or single tickets or a Weekend Pass in the Bookshop or just email us to reserve tickets, or if you have any queries.
Dancing with Darcy ~ A narrative recital of music in Jane Austen ~ Saturday 25th July 7pm at St Andrew’s Church
As part of the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the birth last year of one of our most beloved literary figures, and in tribute to Holt’s Georgian heritage, we are delighted to present a light-hearted exploration of the music featured in the novels of Jane Austen.
Like her character Emma Woodhouse, Austen herself “played and sang,” and music played a central role in her life. She also used it brilliantly in her writing, revealing her characters’ personalities and highlighting the contrasts between them throughout her books.
The event will feature Jayne Jones – Soprano, Brenda Blewett – Piano and Richard Lawry – Narrator
All the profits from this very special event will be donated to St Andrew’s Church fund.
Tickets £20 available in the shop or online
Claire Daverley ~ In conversation with Keith Britten ~ Sunday 26th July 4pm at Holt Community Centre
Claire was born in 1991 and has been writing stories ever since she was six years old. After graduating with a degree in Fine Art from the University of Oxford, she began a career in publishing, writing about books by day but penning her own by night.
Her debut novel, Talking at Night, was nominated in the Debut of the Year category at the Nibbies and shortlisted for the Nota Bene prize.
Claire will be talking about her highly anticipated second novel people in love, a love triangle you’ll never forget, a story that asks what would happen if the one who got away… came back.
Tickets £8 available in the shop or online
