A Fakenham Blog

Pensthorpe, just east of Fakenham, is set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside and offers literally miles of woodland, lakeside and fen meadow trails. The reserve boasts a fine collection of waterfowl from all over the world and great opportunities can be had all year round to see migratory species from the comfort of purpose built hides.

Step back in time to an old-fashioned traditional fairground with its carousel rides and mechanical and steam-driven organs. Robert Wolfe at the Wurlitzer Cinema organ plays daily recitals for visitors, who can also enjoy the Dickensian-style shops and cafes.

Also home to the tremendously popular Christmas Spectacular Shows in November & December – the largest in the country.

Now boasting the superbly modern Prince of Wales Stand built in 2000, this popular rural racecourse has actually held meetings since the early 1900s.

Lots of race days are planned for the coming year, so why not visit their site to plan your dates so they coincide with a meeting?

Fakenham Museum of Gas

Just outside the centre of Fakenham is the town’s former gasworks, which produced gas from coal between 1846 and 1965.

It’s now the only surviving works remaining in England and Wales and is home to the Museum of Gas and Local History. Displays include local finds and items relevant to Fakenham’s past including military and print industry links.

Opened by HRH Princess Anne in 2003, the Hawk & Owl Trust’s Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest running alongside half a kilometre of the River Wensum.

Just to the west of Fakenham, this 17 hectare (42 acre) site is home to an ongoing conservation project which already provides free accessible public access with over 700m of boardwalk, wildlife watching hide and information points.

Located a few miles west of Fakenham and set in a 60 acre garden next to 600 acres of woodland park lies The Royal Estate of Sandringham, the Norfolk retreat of Her Majesty the Queen.

Knowledgable guides in the Museum, gardens and house itself provide an insight into this ‘most famous stately home in Norfolk ‘ and its stunning contents and collections.

A Palladian style mansion built between 1734 and 1764 by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, Holkham Hall has a number of rooms open to the public during the summer.

The beatifully landscaped park and lake, the History of Farming Museum, a Bygones Museum, a Gallery and various cafés and shops make this a very popular tourist destination on the North Norfolk coast which has a great deal to offer the visitor.