Fakenham River Wensum

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'.

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.