Fakenham Gas Works Museum
Fakenham is an interesting market town in North Norfolk, half way between Kings Lynn and Cromer. It is 10 miles from Wells next the sea, where coal was shipped to be delivered by horse and cart to Fakenham until a railway was built. It is 7 miles from the Thursford Steam Museum and is 133 miles from Warwick. It has a complete Victorian towns gas works which has been fully restored into a museum and is a scheduled monument.
The works produced coal gas from 1825 to 1965 and is complete with coal bunkers, retorts, condensers, washers, purifiers, meters, gas holder, testing facilities and distribution valves. There is also a displays of gas cookers, boilers, heaters, fires and other gas appliances. A collection of domestic hand held gas laundry irons looked positively dangerous!
The museum is run by volunteers and in 2025 is open to visitors, Thursday and Fridays 11:00 to 13:00. between 18th April – 21st October. Group visits are possible at other times by arrangement. No entrance fee but donations of £5 greatly appreciated. A visit would usually include a video show and then a tour of the works with one of the volunteers as a guide. This would take about an hour but longer would suit those with a greater interest.
Of side interest I looked at Wells being a port for the coal and came across an old photo showing this. An up to date photo shows how much of Wells remains as a port. The high bridge structure attached to the granary has been fitted out as a holiday home now. OK if you have a head for heights.
I found the visit extremely interesting and found out a lot more about producing coal gas and its useful derivatives. An excellent place to visit when visiting North Norfolk and its coast. Nearby is a Wetherspoons Pub, The Limes, for a variety of refreshment and food. Use this link to visit the museum website.
Stuart Robertson, WIAS, September 2025