For almost 20 years, his presence has welcomed visitors in abundance. 

But now, the north Norfolk mainstay that was Thol the Giant has been forced into early retirement. 

It comes after the giant wooden sculpture’s legs “finally gave up on him”. 

Made from chestnut, Thol has stood near the car park at Holt Country Park car park ever since he was erected in 2006, pointing visitors to different areas and facilities. 

In a statement posted on the park’s Facebook page, it read: “Friday was a sad day at the Country Park as we had to say goodbye to Thol the Giant.  

“Thol has been a mainstay at the entrance to the park for over 15 years but unfortunately his legs finally gave up on him and we had to make the difficult decision to remove him.  

“We hope to replace Thol at some point in the future with a new feature, which we will keep you all posted about once we know more. #RIPThol” 

North Norfolk News: Mike Thody, creator of Thol the Giant at Holt Country Park

Back in 2007, a competition to find an official name for the sculpture was won by Terry Serne, of Briston. 

She suggested the name Thol as an anagram of the word Holt, but also intended it to be a “mythical-sounding moniker”. 

Mrs Serne won a bird-feeding kit and a book about how to encourage garden wildlife. 

For the competition, the giant’s creator, Hempstead sculptor Mike Thody, helped to judge the final entries and thought the name Thol sounded “noble and Scandinavian”. 

Mr Thody’s wood craft handiwork is seen throughout the park - including a bear called Ursula, an angel, and a Fish Hut made from woven hazel branches. 

Holt Country Park is on the Norwich Road just outside of the Georgian town and on the edge of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.