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Removals to Fakenham with Hamiltons Removals
Fakenham is often described as ‘the gateway to North Norfolk’ and it’s easy to see why – it’s ideally located between Norwich and the coast, with the resorts of Hunstanton, Burnham Market and Blakeney all within easy reach. But there’s plenty of other reasons to consider moving house to Fakenham. Here East Anglia removals firm Hamiltons Removals look at the town’s past and present – and how we can help you relocate there.
Fakenham’s History and Heritage
One theory says that the name Fakenham comes from the Anglo-Saxon translation, which means ‘Place on a Fair River’; the river that runs through the town is the Wensum, which is a tributary of the River Yare and also flows into Norwich. However, it is thought there were settlements in the Fakenham area before that, with Bronze Age artefacts having been found on the site of the current town.
Fakenham has been a market town since the year 1250, and the market still flourishes; it’s held every Thursday in the town’s Market Place (pictured above). In its early years agricultural products and cattle accounted for much of the business; more recently the breadth of stalls has increased to include bric-a-brac, plants and hot food outlets, although the primary focus is still on fresh meat, fish and groceries. There’s also a flea market and auction held nearby (also on Thursday) in the town’s Corn Hall.
In the 19th century, the town became a major printing centre, and the Fakenham Prepress Solutions, a contemporary printing and illustrating company, continues this legacy today.
Its Other Facilities
As well as the market, Fakenham also has a racecourse to the south of the town. The first races at this National Hunt course were held in 1905, and it is also the venue of the West Norfolk Hunt’s point-to-point races. The course is a major contributor to the local economy, as it can be hired for private events, including weddings and business seminars, and it has a caravan and campsite as well.
The tower of the St Peter and St Paul’s Parish Church, parts of which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, dominates the skyline of the town. For history buffs, the town also has a Museum of Gas and Local History, which reflects local life and how gas was manufactured from coal before the advent of North Sea gas.
Fakenham can also cater for your children’s education from a young age – it has an Infant and Nursery School, a Junior School and an Academy – a secondary school which also incorporates a sixth form college.
The Transport Links
It’s not just Norwich and the resorts which are within easy reach, but King’s Lynn as well – it’s just over 20 miles to the east via the A148. Cromer is also a little over 20 miles away, also via the A148, but in the opposite direction. The route of the A148 was altered in the mid-1980s to create the Fakenham bypass. There are two other major routes – the A1067, which runs to Norwich, and the A1065 (to Swaffham).
The town no longer has a railway station, but it is served by several bus routes – the Sanders Coaches and Lynx companies take passengers towards to coast, while the Network Norwich service helps commuters who want to travel to Norfolk’s county capital.
House Prices in Fakenham
Rightmove reports that the average price for a Fakenham home is £280,000 – with detached properties selling for almost £100,000 more. Post-pandemic, the demand has increased significantly, helped by the town’s proximity to both the coast and the city of Norwich.
The population of the town is around 8,300, according to the latest Census figures, although this could be swelled dramatically if the latest proposed housing development comes to fruition. Outline planning permission already exists for a 950-home estate off the A148 and includes a shopping centre, a hotel and a new primary school.
Moving House to Fakenham with Hamiltons Removals
If you are interested in moving house to Fakenham – or commercial removals to the town – then Hamiltons Removals are the people to contact. As a leading East Anglia removals company, we can offer plenty of local expertise as well as a commitment to high standards of customer service.
We appreciate that it can sometimes be difficult to get the whole moving process under way, so we offer the flexibility of video surveys and online quotations. You can also call us on 01379 855203 if you have any questions.
Photograph: Philip Halling/Wikimedia Commons
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