Activities

Things to do and places to visit in Fakenham and further afield

In Fakenham

all within 26 minutes walk.

Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History

2 minute walk
The only surviving town gasworks in England and Wales, complete with all equipment used for the manufacture of gas from coal. The guides are very knowledgable and full of fascinating information.

Fakenham Superbowl

3 minute walk
Ten-pin bowling, amusements arcade, bar/restaurant, soft play area and escape rooms – great fun for all!

James Beck Auctions

5 minute walk
Your very own Bargain Hunt! Each auction, of around 400 lots, features a range of furniture, art, rugs, ceramics, glass, silver, jewellery, mirrors, lighting and other decorative items, as well as collectables. Auction every Thursday (viewing online from Tuesday and on site Wednesday)

Fakenham Market
(plus flea market)

5 minute walk
Make sure you’ve got time for this on Thursday, from 8am to 2pm – Norfolk’s friendliest weekly market selling lots of ‘everything’! Fakenham is closed to through traffic, so it’s safe to walk about.

Fakenham Info Hub

6 minute walk
For the latest events in the area, leaflets and transport guides.

Aldiss Fakenham Superstore

6 minute walk
WJ Aldiss Ltd was established in 1892, when the first Managing Director, William James Aldiss, started a drapery shop in Norwich Street, Fakenham. Excellent for all your household needs with a super cafe. The sofa and beds at RIVER ROSE were all purchased from this store.

Cavies & Cake

6 minute walk
There are great places to eat in Fakenham but this one is pretty special! Enjoy some quality time hanging out with therapy guinea pigs whilst enjoying tea and cake. Please contact in advance to book sessions.

Central Cinema

7 minute walk
Cinema with 3 screens showing the latest mainstream and family film releases. NB: This Cinema shows films in 2d and has no current plans to change this. If god had wanted us to see 3D films he would have given us one red eye and one green eye!

Fakenham Garden Centre

11 minute walk
You might even bump into royalty, Kate has visited here! Great selection of plants and everything for the outdoors – lovely coffee shop.

Fakenham Golf Course

11 minute walk
Visitors are welcome at the Club. Once you have paid your green fee, you will have use of the golf club facilities for the day.

Fakenham Race Course

14 minute walk
Check for race days and events online. There’s a bar and restaurant on site.

Langham Glass

21 minute walk
Langham Glass was established in 1979 by Master Glassmaker Paul Miller and is still run as a family business today. Glassmaking demonstrations run Monday to Friday. Other experience sessions and gifts are available.

Fakenham Sports & Fitness Centre

26 minute walk
For those into their fitness the  centre has a fully equipped gym and sport hall where you can play table tennis and badminton amongst other sports. You can use the facilities on a pay as you go basis.

Fakenham Lancaster Heritage Trail

Discover the rich and varied history of Fakenham Lancaster, Norfolk

Fakenham walks

A number of walks around Fakenham taking in the scenery.

Further afield

all within 35 minutes drive.

Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve

6 minute drive
200 acre site with 7 hides across a range of managed landscapes including meadow, wood, fen and wetland habitats. It’s run by the national charity, Hawk and Owl Trust which was founded to conserve and protect wild birds of prey.

Pensthorpe

7 minute drive
700-acre nature reserve. Pensthorpe is the place for wide eyes and well-worn wellies, for plodding, pondering and playtime. Here you can run wild, whisper in wonder and stop for more than a second. It’s where little adventures happen every day. Lots to do and see, allow a whole day if you can! We love the sculpture garden.

Walsingham Abbey

11 minute drive
Walsingham Abbey is a place of religious pilgrimage since the 11th century, enjoy the stunning ruins of the mediaeval Priory and the Shirehall Museum.

RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre

14 minute drive
Tells the history and stories of North Norfolks only USAF atomic base. Once the largest and most strategically important American airbase, home to 10,000 personnel. For over a decade it was the atomic deterrent against the Soviet Union. An excellent selection of model aircraft and a dress up area for the kids!

Thursford

14 minute drive
Home to the world famous Christmas Spectacular, Enchanted Journey of light, Santa’s Magical Journey and the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs.

Wells-next-the-Sea

15 minute drive
Wells is famous for its vast, sweeping beach and colourful beach huts. There are few better places to relax, unwind and enjoy the sea air. Plenty to do for the whole day.

Hindringham Hall

16 minute drive
Hindringham Hall is the most delicious little moated manor house straight out of a story book with its medieval moat and fishponds, working walled vegetable garden, formal and informal borders wrapped around a brick and flint Tudor Hall.

Creake Abbey ruins

17 minute drive
The tranquil ruins of Creake Abbey’s former Augustinian church are open all year round, free of charge. Visit them to learn more about the history of this abbey, to draw or paint or just to picnic. Then visit the Creake Abbey Courtyard’s shops and cafes for a treat!

Bircham Windmill

20 minute drive
Bircham Mill is considered to be one of the best windmills in working order in this area open to the public.

Castle Acre Priory

20 minute drive
Castle Acre Priory one of the largest and best preserved monastic sites in England dating back to 1090. It was the home of the first Cluniac order of monks to England and the Cluniac love of decoration is everywhere reflected in the extensive ruins.

Houghton Hall and Gardens

20 minute drive
Built for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, in the 1720s, now home to the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley (pronounced Chumley) – a descendant of Sir Robert Walpole. The Hall is set in extensive parkland, award-winning Walled Garden, Model Soldier Museum (the largest private collection of model soldiers in the world), Cafe and Gift Shop. It’s my personal favourite stately home in Norfolk, the sculpture park is amazing.

Holt

23 minute drive
Holt’s fine 18th century Georgian buildings make the town one of the most attractive in north Norfolk. The town is home to many art galleries, antique and book shops and places to eat located along the high street and tucked away in hidden, charming courtyards and alleyways. Bakers and Larners department store and Byfords are two landmark establishments in the town.

Holkham Hall and Holkham Beach

24 minute drive
Holkham Hall, the Palladian style mansion, was built by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester, between 1734 and 1764. Holkham is now a thriving estate under the eighth Earl, with diverse businesses including farming, tourism and property. The hall is simply stunning! If there’s enough time try and pop to the beautiful Holkham Beach!

Norfolk Tulips

24 minute drive
Norfolk Tulips is the UK’s only tulip field that is open to the public for 2 weeks per year to raise money for charity.

ROARR

25 minute drive
In a magical corner of Norfolk, tucked away behind tall trees, lies a land that time forgot… It’s time to unleash your adventure at the UK’s best all-inclusive dinosaur-themed adventure park! Set across 85 acres of natural woodland, you can discover over 25 ROARR-some attractions and meet our popular dinosaur mascot Dippy.

Sandringham Estate

26 minute drive
With generations of history linked to the British monarch since 1862, Sandringham Estate remains the private country retreat to their majesties the King Charles iii and Queen Camilla. Lots to do for the whole day, something for all the family.

Beans Seal Trips

26 minute drive
With over 80 years experience of operating in Blakeney Harbour, a trip to the Blakeney Seals offers a rare opportunity to get ‘up close and personal ’ to the resident Grey seal and Common Seal colonies without causing disturbance. Book in advance by phone.

Muckleburgh Military Collection

29 minute drive
The Muckleburgh Collection is a military museum sited on a former military camp at Weybourne, on the North Norfolk coast, England. It was opened to the public in 1988 and is the largest privately owned military museum in the United Kingdom.

Norfolk Lavender

31 minute drive
Founded in 1932, Norfolk Lavender is England’s premier lavender farm, renowned worldwide and has nearly 100 acres of lavender under cultivation.

Blickling Estate National Trust

32 minute drive
Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Blickling Estate is believed to have been the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, future wife of King Henry VIII. During the Second World War, RAF air crew were billeted here while its owner, Lord Lothian, influenced Winston Churchill’s actions.

Hunstanton

32 minute drive
The only west facing resort on the east coast of England – there are two sides to Hunstanton. The elegant old Victorian town with its Esplanade Gardens and rather sedate air of days gone by… and the lively buzzing family centre with a large sandy beach, pony rides, amusements and summer season theatre. Old Hunstanton has more of a village feel, with its beach (including rock pools) backed by famous red and white striped cliffs.

Bure Valley Railway (Aylsham station)

35 minute drive
Experience a nostalgic trip by steam on Norfolk’s longest narrow gauge railway which runs between the historic market town of Aylsham and bustling town of Wroxham, at the heart of the Norfolk Broads. The 18 mile round trip runs through the pretty Bure Valley countryside following the meandering River Bure through meadowland and ancient pasture.

A little further

If you are happy to drive a little further you can spend the day at these great places.

City of Norwich Aviation Museum
36 minute drive
Cromer
39 minute drive
Broads tours
43 minute drive
BeWILDerwood Norfolk
47 minute drive
Norwich
See the castle, cathedral, market and Sainsbury Centre
52 minute drive

Suggestions/Message

We are always looking at ways to improve our holiday let. If you have any suggestions we would be happy to hear from you. If you just want to send us a message you can do that too.