An early summer ramble from Fakenham along a tranquil route with some pretty rural scenery
1. From the car park walk down Whitehorse Street to the roundabout. Turn right. Follow to Bridge Street. Turn left. Cross the bridge. Turn left passing the tyre depot. Follow the track to the riverside track. If you miss this there is an entrance out of the far end of the recreation ground to join the track. Cross the bridge following the track with the river on your right. When the track turns left carry on ahead on the grass track. Follow the river to a hump where the old railway comes in from the left. Bear right, keeping to the riverside path as far as the three-arch bridge. Before the bridge, take the path on the left up on to the old railway track for some good views over the valley. Go onto the bridge.
2. Turn left and follow the old railway track passing over the other track that runs below across Fakenham Common. At the bungalows follow the permissive path to the road - this was Fakenham East station in the days of the railway. Follow the road to the left, which will bring you to the main road. Cross the road. Turn right to the drift beside the Aldiss warehouse. Follow uphill to the next main road opposite the water tower. Follow the road to just before the old railway bridge. Turn right onto Waterfield Avenue. Where the road turns right go straight on taking the path that winds its way to beside the old railway. Turn right then at the main road turn left to follow to the traffic lights.
3. Turn right onto Claypit Lane. Follow uphill following the road. As it turns left beside open fields follow to the corner and take the path between the school and the leisure centre. Follow to the end turning left at the entrance to the rugby club. Follow the lane to the end. Cross the road taking Sandy Lane follow to the sign for Fakenham. Keep going around the corner to a path off to your left that follows between the hedge and the road. Cross the bridge. Turn left following the road to a parking area by the river.
4. You have two options here. Take the path to the side of the bridge which takes you a short way along the river then turn left at the road. Pass the old 1911 fire station then go on to the parish church and the town centre to then make your way back to the car park.
Alternatively cross the bridge and take the path on the opposite bank which then comes out on Hempton Road. Follow the road towards the old mill. The Gas Museum is on the opposite side of the road. Cross the bridge to trace your way back to the car park.
COMPASS POINTS
START: Park in the car park in Whitehorse Street
DISTANCE: 4.8 miles/8km
GRID REFERENCE: TF 9213 2956
NEAREST POSTCODE: NR21 9AW
WHAT3WORDS: treaties.masts.disengage
POINTS OF INTEREST
Fakenham Riverside Footpath: RB8
Back in 2020, with the country in the grip of a pandemic, which restricted so much of normal life, opportunities to enjoy the freedoms of walking were never more valued. Fakenham was fortunate to have a riverside walk that ran alongside the Wensum, starting at Hempton and ending at the bridge that formerly carried the tracks of the Midland and Great Northern Railway, known locally as the 'Three Brick Arches'.
But there was a problem. Over the years, the river levels had risen such that sections of the path were virtually impassable during the winter months. Coupled with periodic flooding, a particularly low-lying section of the path featured a wooden boardwalk that had collapsed. In short, the path that had been described as, ‘a lovely riverside walk’, with opportunities to ‘enjoy the magic of the river Wensum…and its wonderful wildlife habitat’, had become sadly neglected.
Local groups, officials, businesses and individuals were galvanised into action to restore the route as an asset to the town. In 2021, agreement was reached to clear vegetation and debris from the river and to raise those sections of the path that regularly flooded. Both Fakenham Ramblers and Norfolk Area Ramblers were actively involved in the initiative and contributed to the very significant costs of completing the works.
Now completed, the path provides an attractive, popular and tranquil rural route around the town and complements the Town Trail, with its blue-plaque points of interest, which give an insight into Fakenham’s varied and interesting history.
Pensthorpe Natural Park
A mile from Fakenham is Pensthorpe nature reserve. Home to the BBC's Springwatch show for several seasons, the park is a haven for bird and butterfly watching and has five gardens designed by some of horticulture's most famous names including Piet Oudolf. It even has its own resident flock - or flamboyance - of 62 flamingoes. The first chick of the season hatched recently - it will be grey in colour until it is three years old when it will develop its distinctive pink plumage.
pensthorpe.com
Fakenham Racecourse
There has been horse racing at Fakenham - Norfolk's only National Hunt racecourse - for almost 120 years. The next fixture, on June 2, is the ever popular Jarrolds Ladies Day, while the 24-/25 season starts with the Autumn Raceday on October 18. fakenhamracecourse.co.uk
DINE AND STAY
Sculthorpe Mill
In a picture-perfect setting perched on the Wensum, this 18th century converted watermill has been winning plaudits across the board for its food and rooms. This year the restaurant was awarded a prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand for the third time in a row and The Times has named it one of the best waterside stays in the UK. sculthorpemill.uk
