Fakenham is a thriving market town with a weekly auction and a regular Farmers Market held on the fourth Saturday of each month. Located close to the River Wensum and surrounded by lovely heath land the town is dominated by the 115ft tower of St. Peter and St. Paul’s church.

On the outskirts of the town is Fakenham Race Course, one of the finest rural national hunt courses in the country, with regular point to point meetings as well as other racing events and a firework display in November. The town offers a good variety of shops and an antique and furniture auction held at the Old Cattle Market. Most of the town centre is pedestrianised and there are a good range of pubs and restaurants. The way to the church is through small narrow lanes or under a deep brick arch, it is well worth a visit as the graveyard has been transformed into a broad and pleasant park. The name Fakenham is believed to be derived from the Saxon name "Fair Place by the River". 

The Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History is located in the buildings of the town's gasworks and gives an insight into the process by which coal was made and the working conditions of the men who made it.
In the former workshops are displays of gas meters, lighting, water heating, room heating and cookers as well as equipment used by fitters to maintain gas supplies. Displays relevant to the history of Fakenham include local finds, the printing industry, horse racing, sports teams, war-time memorabilia and relationships with the armed service, especially the RAF and USAF at West Raynham and Sculthorpe.

Close by is the Dinosaur Adventure Park where you can come face to face with life size dinosaurs and meet creatures from way back in time. Or for nature lovers a visit to nearby Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park and Gardens set in five hundred acres of beautiful countryside with miles of nature trails and hides, where you will see exotic waterfowl from around the world.  

Up the road from Fakenham is the Thursford Collection an unusual museum full of old tractors, steam engines and fairground organs, including the Mighty Wurlitzer the fourth largest cinema organ in Europe.
There are live musical shows  featuring the unique collection of mechanical organs and the wurlitzer show. Near Christmas time there is a huge extravaganza with carols dancing trumpeters marchers and finishing with a candle light procession, which attracts people from all over the world.

Also on offer either in the town or close by are golf, ten pin bowling and a cinema.  The town is located approximately ten miles from the coast for those looking for a visit to the seaside. For holiday accommodation either in Fakenham or close by visit our accommodation pages which list - bed and breakfast - self catering - hotels - guest houses - camping and caravanning and inns.


In the market square is an unusual design on the pavement, which mirrors some of the symbols on the village sign and celebrates Fakenham being one of east Englands leading centres of printing since the 18th century.