Fakenham

Approximately 25 minutes drive North of Swaffham along the A1065, Fakenham is another historic Norfolk market town, perhaps now best known for its horse racing venue, Fakenham Racecourse.

History of Fakenham

The name Fakenham is Saxon, meaning Place on a Fair River, likely a reference to the River Wensum that flows through West Raynham, then cascading under the 18th century Sculthorpe (water) Mill, on through Fakenham before continuing through the Norfolk countryside.

In the middle ages, Fakenham and the nearby village Hempton were common stopping points for pilgrims on their way to the religious shrines in Walsingham. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Walsingham went into decline and Fakenham grew to be the main local centre.