Fakenham
Situated on the River Wensum, Fakenham is a Norfolk market town 25 miles from Norwich, around 19 miles from King's Lynn and 19 miles from Cromer. It is not clear when Fakenham had its first settlement, but the discovery of flint tools and weapons suggest the area was inhabited during Neolithic time. There is also evidence of a settlement in Roman times on Beacon Hill.
The Doomsday Book in 1086 AD states that Fakenham had a population of 150, vastly different from today’s ever-increasing population. The town’s oldest complete house is at the junction of Tunn Street and Swan Street and dates from the 17th Century.
Nearby is Fakenham’s market place, which was granted in 1250. The church is close to the market, which is a common feature of Norfolk’s market towns, and its size, stature and tall tower denotes that Fakenham was a wealthy settlement during medieval times.
Agriculture has been the principal industry of the town throughout the centuries and the Doomsday Book records that the river powered three mills. Wind power was used in the 18th and 19th Centuries, followed by gas and electricity.
The gas works were built in 1845 and Fakenham’s gas museum tells the story of how gas was once responsible for lighting up the whole town.
In 1862 Thomas Miller built up a prosperous business in printing, which went from a local operation to a substantial concern supplying books to a variety of major London publishers.
Today Fakenham still has its market and has a small selection of shops like the traditional butchers, bakers and greengrocers.
Interesting facts about Fakenham
- Fakenham is home of Kinnerton Chocolate and employs around 700 people. Established in 1978, Kinnerton Confectionery is now Britain's largest manufacturer of chocolate and novelty confectionery
- Fakenham Town Band is one of the few brass bands in East Anglia that has been in existence in three different centuries. It was established in 1881 and has enjoyed continuous existence since. Formed by six men in a pub, Fakenham Town Band has had its ups and downs and has survived two world wars
- Famous people from Fakenham include: Thomas Miller, bookseller and antiquarian, Sir George Edwards, farm workers' leader and later local MP, Peter Parfitt, an England and Middlesex cricketer in the early 1960s, attended Fakenham Grammar School, Simon Dring, journalist and television producer and footballing brothers Ryan Jarvis and Rossi Jarvis
Pensthorpe Norfolk - Something for Everyone
Pensthorpe Natural Park is one of Norfolk’s finest attractions and is located 45 minutes from Norwich on the A1067 Fakenham to Norwich road. It is home to many species of mammals, birds, invertebrates and plants and its diverse range of habitats creates a stunning rich landscape which Pensthorpe Conservation Trust manages. With indoor and outdoor adventure play areas, educational facilities, talks and guided tours, bird hides, a café and gift shop, it’s a great place to visit, whatever your age.
Langham Glass
Langham Glass was established in 1979 and is run as a family business, started by Paul Miller, a professional glassmaker. It was founded in the Norfolk village of Langham, hence its name, however now it is located in Fakenham. The visitor centre welcomes tourists all year round, who can watch glassmakers design and create a variety of products including their popular and collectable handmade crystal.
Fakenham Racecourse
Fakenham Racecourse is the only National Hunt Racecourse in Norfolk and had its first meeting in 1905, attracting 37 runners. Just one meeting per year was held on Easter Monday, with racing continuing each year except for enforced breaks during war years. Racing fixtures have increased over the years and Fakenham racecourse continues to draw in the crowds.
Useful links
Information on the town of Fakenham
https://www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk/
Fakenham Racecourse official website
Map of Fakenham
Accommodation in Fakenham
7 Swan Court
Fakenham, Norfolk
This stunning townhouse is part of an exciting new development set right in the heart of the historic quarter of the market town of Fakenham - the gateway to the many attractions of inland North Norfolk and its fabulous coastline, just a twenty minute drive away.
Harp Garden
Fakenham, Norfolk
A beautifully presented detached house tucked away in a peaceful location on the edge of the historic market town of Fakenham. Only a fifteen minute drive away from North Norfolk's glorious coastline, Harp Garden is a wonderful choice for holidaymakers looking to explore both inland and coastal gems in this beautiful area of the county.
The Tracery
Fakenham, Norfolk
Conveniently placed in the heart of Fakenham, The Tracery offers two decadently styled bedrooms that have been lavished with wonderful care and attention to detail. Formerly a Primitive Methodist church, the building still bears many distinguishing features that tie it to it origins, including the beautiful feature window at the front of the property that has views of the town.
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Get startedUpdated November 2026
Fakenham visitor guide 2026
Current places to eat, stay and visit in and around Fakenham, plus practical visitor information. Opening times change through the year, so check with the venue before you travel.
Visitor essentials
- Getting there
- No railway station; reach Fakenham by road along the A148 and A1067 (Norwich is about 25 miles away). Check current bus timetables before travelling.
- Parking
- Pay-and-display parking in the town, including the Limes / Mill Court car park listed by Visit North Norfolk; the gas museum has limited free parking nearby.
- Tourist information
- No dedicated tourist information centre found; the Town Council office at Fakenham Connect, Oak Street (NR21 9DY) is open by appointment, Mon-Fri 10am-2pm.
- Market days
- Thursday, about 8.30am-2pm, in the Market Place, with a flea market and Cornhall auction also on Thursdays.
- Good to know
- Fakenham Racecourse runs National Hunt fixtures from autumn to early summer. Thursford, Walsingham and the coast are short drives away.
Where to eat in Fakenham
Sculthorpe Mill
Riverside mill on the Wensum serving modern British dishes, local ales, breakfast and pastries; also has rooms.
The Barsham Arms
Cosy village pub near East Barsham Manor serving home-cooked, locally sourced food; consistently reviewed through October 2026.
Thursford Barn Café
Refreshment stop within the Thursford Collection site, handy before or after the steam and organ museum.
Pensthorpe Courtyard Café
Recently refurbished café at the nature reserve, convenient for lunch between walks and hides.
Where to stay in Fakenham
Sculthorpe Mill
Seven en-suite rooms above a riverside gastropub, a couple of miles from Fakenham; some rooms take dogs.
Holly Lodge Boutique B&B
Guests in 2025-26 praise the cooked breakfasts, welcoming hosts and shepherd's hut option; handy for the Thursford Christmas shows.
More things to do around Fakenham
Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve
Boardwalks, seven hides and over 5km of trails across fen and woodland; open daily, entry by donation.
Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History
Preserved Victorian gasworks showing how town gas was made; opening is limited, so check before visiting.
Thursford Collection
Steam engines, organs and fairground rides, plus the well-known winter Christmas Spectacular.
Pensthorpe Natural Park
700-acre reserve with hides, gardens, play areas and a revamped café; adult tickets from about GBP 11.
Slipper Chapel, Walsingham
Fourteenth-century chapel at the Catholic national shrine, with a tearoom and bookshop nearby.
Fakenham Lancaster Heritage Trail
Self-guided trail linking the market place, church and old buildings, with notes on the town's medieval past.
Listings are independent suggestions, not paid placements. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
Live
River levels near Fakenham
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Source: Environment Agency real-time flood-monitoring data (Open Government Licence).
Local information
Fakenham in numbers
Top historic buildings in Fakenham
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Food hygiene ratings in Fakenham
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See all 37 ratings in Fakenham
Ratings: Food Standards Agency (Open Government Licence).
Wildlife recorded around Fakenham
The most frequently recorded species within 5 km of Fakenham since 2022 (83,661 records submitted to the National Biodiversity Network).
Birds
- Blue Tit
- Blackbird
- Woodpigeon
- Robin
- Great Tit
- Wren
- Chaffinch
- Dunnock
- House Sparrow
- Greenfinch
- Jackdaw
- Black-headed Gull
Other wildlife and plants
- Grey Squirrel
- Muntjac
- Small White
- Meadow Brown
- Green-veined White
- Speckled Wood
- Banded Demoiselle
- Red Admiral
- Azure Damselfly
- Common Darter
- Peacock
- Black-tailed Skimmer
Source: NBN Atlas – records from Norfolk recorders and conservation groups. Please follow the Countryside Code and keep to paths.
Villages around Fakenham
- Hempton 0.7 miles
- Sculthorpe 1.7 miles
- Toftrees 1.8 miles
- Shereford 1.9 miles
- Colkirk 1.9 miles
- Great Ryburgh 2.6 miles
- East Barsham 2.8 miles
- Little Snoring 2.8 miles
- Oxwick 2.8 miles
- West Barsham 2.9 miles
- Little Ryburgh 2.9 miles
- Kettlestone 3.2 miles
- East Raynham 3.2 miles
- North Barsham 3.5 miles
- Tatterford 3.5 miles
- Great Snoring 3.5 miles
Live weather
Weather in Fakenham
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Updated every time the page loads · Data: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0)
Fakenham guide 2026
Where to eat, where to stay and visitor essentials for Fakenham, checked November 2026.
Getting to Norfolk
- Train: Greater Anglia runs direct trains from London Liverpool Street to Norwich, plus lines to Cromer, Sheringham, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Cambridge. National Rail journey planner
- Road: the A11 (from Cambridge and London) and the A47 (east–west) are the main routes.
- Air: Norwich Airport is 4 miles north of the city.
- Bus: plan local journeys on Traveline.
Useful links
- Visit Norfolk – official tourism site
- Visit the Broads – Broads Authority
- Met Office weather warnings
- RNLI beach safety and tide advice
- National Trust in Norfolk
In an emergency
- 999 – police, fire, ambulance and coastguard
- 111 – NHS urgent medical advice
- 101 – Norfolk Police, non-emergency