Ten miles from the North Norfolk coast lies the market town of Fakenham, known for its racecourse and somewhat eccentrically for its museum of gas. Fakenham is close to the lovely river Wensum, and the name is said to be derived from the Saxon for ‘fair place by the river’, or ‘place by the fair river’ depending on which expert you refer to. Granted a market charter in 1250, the town still hold markets every Thursday, a bustling scene sprawling over two sites. These days there is also a Farmers’ Market every fourth Saturday. As is so often the case in Norfolk Fakenham has a pleasant mix of architectural styles somehow creating a harmonious whole. The parish church of St Peter and St Paul is largely 14th century, with a 15th century tower rising to 115 feet, an imposing building creating a focal point for the town. Around the market place there are solid Georgian and interesting Dutch gable styles, and notably there are islands of buildings, said by some to result from fires destroying adjoining structures, by others to be because they evolved from ancient market stalls. Behind the grander construction around the market there are narrow streets and little yards, with small cottages. Fakenham Racecourse, in spite of recent development, retains a nicely rural feel, hosting point-to-points as well as National Hunt meetings. The gas museum is housed in the former gasworks, just outside the centre. There are local history exhibits as well as the gas-related ones. Just outside the town to the east there is Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, all 500 acres of it. In wood, fen and lake here many migratory species of birds can be seen from the reserve’s hides. And for noisier pleasures just a couple of miles to the north east, along the Cromer Road (A148), the Thursford Collection is found, mechanical and steam-driven fair organs and traditional rides like the carousel.
Attraction
Binham Priory
Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History
Pensthorpe Wildlife and Gardens
South Creake Maize Maze
Thursford Collection
Camping
Caravan Club M.V.C. Site
Crossways Caravan & Camping Park
Care Home
Classes
Dance - Sylvia School of Dance
Yoga - Yoga for All
Cottage
Sycamore Cottage at Acorn Cottages
Beechwood Cottage
Breeze Barn
East Barn
Garden Cottage
Hollies Cottage
Holly Berry at Acorn Cottages
Little Britain
Pear Tree Cottage at Acorn Cottages
Doctor
Estate Agent
Abbotts Estate Agents Ltd
Belton Duffey
Brown William H
Patrick Plumpton
Snuggs & Co
Spalding & Co
Farmers Market
Golf Club
Inn
Boar Inn
Crown Hotel
Sculthorpe Mill
The Blue Boar Inn
Market
Cherry Tree Bootmarket Car Boot
Creake Abbey Farmers Market
Fakenham Country Market
Fulmodeston’s ‘Local Produce’ Market
Pub and Bar
Black Lion Hotel
Gallery Bistro
Green Man
Limes Freehouse
Racecourse
Restaurant
Black Lion Hotel
Gallery Bistro
Green Man
Keanes
Old Forge
Old Stable Restaurant
Sala
Taste Of Thai
Solicitor
Taxi
Abacus
Courtesy Cabs
Near & Far
Sports Clubs
Fakenham CC (Cricket)
Shops
Langham Glass
Discount Book Co Ltd
Crofters Flowers
Boots
J&D Papworth Farm
Fakenham Garden Centre
Fakenham Optometrists
Broadland Shoes
Picture Frame Workshop
Savory Eggs
Antiques
Steward David
Fakenham Antique Centre
Norfolk Decorative Antiques
Activities
Fakenham Bowmen(Archery)
Places to Stay near Fakenham
Crown Hotel (0.22 miles)
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Located in the heart of the town and close to local amenities, cinema, the Aldiss superstore and Fakenham National Hunt Race Course the Crown Hotel ... More
Wensum Lodge Hotel (0.34 miles)
'The Country Hotel on The Edge of Town.' Situated 3 mins walk from town centre and 10 mins from race course. Enjoy the warmth of our family run hotel, with a ... More
Sculthorpe Mill (1.63 miles)
A charming 18th century mill set in beautiful gardens with six newly refurbished en suite guest rooms. A non smoking restaurant and cosy bar areas offer a bar or a la ... More
Boar Inn (3.02 miles)
Great Ryburgh is in the beautiful English county of Norfolk within easy reach of the North Norfolk coast and only 2 miles from Fakenham Race course and only 4 miles ... More
Black Lion Hotel (4.30 miles)
Old Bakehouse Guesthouse (4.44 miles)
Set in the heart of the historical village of Little Walsingham, The Old Bakehouse offers three spacious guest rooms, all with en-suite facilities. Colour TV and Tea and coffee making facilities are available in each ... More | visit website
Glebe Farmhouse (6.59 miles)
Situated on the outskirts of the quiet village of North Creake, North Norfolk. The farmhouse is in an ideal location to visit the Norfolk coast, Norwich and Kings Lynn or the more local villages of ... More | visit website
Bull Inn (7.89 miles)
The Bull is a traditional coaching Inn dating from the early 17th century, although the foundations date from the mid 1300's making it the second oldest Inn in Norfolk. It was the first or last ... More | visit website
Houghton Hall (7.90 miles)
Houghton Hall in North Norfolk was built in the early 18th century by Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first Prime Minister. Since 1797 it has been a home of the Marquesses of Cholmondeley who, by heredity, ... More
Arch House (8.49 miles)
Arch House, a very distinguished old house at the very entrance to Wells-next-the-sea, built around the turn of the 18th century to offer the Excise man a good vantage point over the town... (boo), but ... More | visit website
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