subject: Fakenham, Norfolk: A Market Town That Basks By Water [print this page] Fakenham, Norfolk: A Market Town That Basks By Water
This is the perfect place to begin your investigation of the North Norfolk Coast. Fakenham - Norfolk has been a market town for over a thousand years. The market still occurs today every Thursday. As a particularly well positioned town to the coastline it is a great way to explore the region surrounding it.
As a market town it was a place people gathered to sell wares and to enjoy what the town had to offer. But staying here allows you to travel to day destinations such as King Lynn and Well-Next-the-Sea. Both of these are seaside towns that combine not only the beauty of seas with the history of this important area.
In town is an interesting museum dedicated to the Gas and the Local History. This is the only surviving gas works in England and Wales. Here you can see how coal was used to make gas. This important part of the history of this country and the importance of gas works to the area is documented here.
Historical sites are a plenty. Close to here is Little Walsingham which was the site that the most pilgrims in England came to. At the time pilgrims would find holy relics to visit and like a quest would go to locations to see the shrines and to pay their respects and penance to their religious inclinations. This location was the most traveled to in all of England.
The holy house, as it was called was created by Richeldis de Faverches a thousand years ago. Having a vision of this house of Jesus, she had it recreated and so the pilgrims came. They would have to walk the last mile of the way barefoot to show their true penance. They left their shoes at the Slipper Chapel and that can still be done today. Follow in their barefoot steps to feel their belief.
For those seeking some thrills there is the Fakenham Racecourse which has been racing horses for three hundred years. This course has been under royal patronage for a very long time. Queen Elizabeth passed her patronage to the Prince of Wales, who was on hand to rechristen the course. Even the Queen Mother has gotten involved by visiting the course and enjoying a lovely lunch.
Whether your choice is to wander the town of Fakenham - Norfolk or to stay here while meandering through the outlying area, you will enjoy the beauty and history that come together to create a wonderful and memorable trip.
