Out & About
Discover… Fakenham
Sitting alongside the River Wensum, this traditional working market town is the largest in North Norfolk
Surrounded by beautiful countryside and just ten miles from the coast, Fakenham offers the best of both worlds in North Norfolk. Aside from its racecourse, the town is best known for its market, which dates back to 1250 and still runs every Thursday, making this an excellent place to pick up some of the finest local produce. Fakenham’s major industry in the 19th and 20th century was printing, and this is reflected in the town’s sign. Today, there are still several small printing firms in and around the town, and printing blocks have been set into the surface of the market place to pay tribute to its cultural heritage here.
What to see and do
There has been uninterrupted horse racing at Fakenham since 1905 (except for during the two World Wars), so it’s no surprise a trip to this fine rural national hunt racecourse is one of the most popular attractions. With races and events running throughout the majority of the year, it’s easy to experience all the excitement and buzz of a day at the races. Visit www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk for fixtures and to book tickets.
Fakenham is a fantastic place to enjoy the great outdoors, with both Pensthorpe Natural Park (pictured below) and Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve close by. Pensthorpe offers 700 acres of walks through varied habitats, alongside five landscaped gardens and wonderful play areas for little ones. Meanwhile, Sculthorpe is perfect for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, with accessible boardwalks and hides aplenty.
Drink & Dine
While visiting a picturesque town in the middle of rolling countryside, what better place to stop for lunch than a traditional country pub? The Chequers Inn is a family friendly pub offering a cosy bar, delicious homecooked food and of course, plenty of real ale and wine options. A roast is a must if you’re here on a Sunday, or if you fancy something naughtier, the beef burger topped with Mrs Temples Binham Blue cheese is something special.
If you fancy something a little more exotic, head to the Ordnance Arms. Although you wouldn’t guess from the outside, inside you’ll find a pub and an authentic Thai restaurant. On the menu you’ll find Thai staples such as pad thai and massaman curry alongside Cromer crab fried rice and rum drunken beef.
Stay the night
Holly Lodge Boutique B&B
Located 4 miles outside Fakenham, Holly Lodge Boutique B&B offers six beautifully designed rooms and a self-catered Shepherd’s Hut to choose from. The three ‘cottages’ are situated away from the main house in the old stable blocks on ground level, while the other three rooms are in the main house. Sumptuous facilities include en-suite shower rooms, Cole & Lewis bathroom amenities, Nespresso machines, 32 inch flat-screen smart television, Bluetooth Roberts Radio and even a little welcome treat. Breakfast is served in the garden conservatory, with both a continental selection and full English breakfast on offer, using the finest of North Norfolk’s locally-sourced produce.
