16Oct 2026
Season Opener Raceday
The 2026/27 season opens with six races. Gates open at 11am, the first race is at 1:45pm and the last race starts at 4:37pm; the course says times are subject to change.
Meetings and tickets for 2026/27
The 2026/27 season begins on Friday 16 October. The published season opener has six afternoon races; its event page lists gates, first and last race times, and notes that times may change.
Fakenham fixturesSeason 2026/27
Tickets
Grandstand & Paddock £17.50 online or £20 on the day; Day Member £22.50 in advance or £25 on the day. Annual membership £160 single or £250 double. Some meetings have early-bird prices.
New Year
New Year’s Day racing.
A Norfolk break
Camp on the course, then head for the coast.
Bringing children
Children 17 and under free, no ticket needed.
Dressing up
Ladies Day in June.
Which enclosure should you choose?
Fakenham sells Grandstand & Paddock and Day Member admission, alongside separately booked restaurants, an indoor picnic room, private boxes and marquee hospitality.
Corporate boxes
Private Boxes
Three Prince of Wales Stand boxes, each for up to 20 guests, with catered packages.
Two-guest box
Head-on Box
A small former Stewards’ box beside the track, with two Day Member tickets, parking and drink vouchers.
First-floor dining
The Firth Restaurant
Three-course lunch, all-course views and a balcony in the Prince of Wales Stand.
Parade Ring dining
Norfolk Coastal Kitchen
A reserved table and seasonal two-course meal beside the Parade Ring.
Indoor picnic
Lancaster Room
A bookable table with track-side views, bar and screens; bring a picnic or buy food.
Members’ areas
Day Members
Access to all racecourse areas, including the Members’ Grandstand section and Prince of Wales Stand Bar.
Public ticket
Grandstand & Paddock
Grandstand viewing, Parade Ring, Adrian Flux Bar, betting and mobile food outlets.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at Fakenham Racecourse
Fakenham’s current visitor information describes its clothing guidance as dressing appropriately for the weather. It promotes a friendly, casual raceday atmosphere, so formal occasion clothes are not presented as a standard admission requirement. Choose layers and footwear for the forecast and the outdoor areas you intend to use. Visitors who want to dress up can do so, particularly for an occasion, but check any restaurant or hospitality booking instructions if you need guidance for a particular space.
Official clothing advice — checked 14 October 2026.
What will the trip cost?
A quick estimate for your group. Where we have confirmed a ticket price it’s filled in; otherwise add the price from the racecourse’s booking page. Change any figure to match your plans.
Getting to Fakenham
Fakenham Racecourse is a mile south of town on the B1146 (East Dereham Road), postcode NR21 7NY. There is no railway station in Fakenham; plan a road or bus connection for the last leg.
By car
The racecourse is one mile south of town. The directions page gives the Gallows entrance postcode as NR21 7NY and Pudding Norton entrance as NR21 7NA; general parking is free.
By bus
Fakenham has bus links from Norwich, King’s Lynn and Sheringham. From town, the course is roughly a mile south; check the operator timetable for the stop nearest the B1146 entrance.
By rail
Fakenham has no railway station. Connect by bus or taxi from King’s Lynn or Norwich and allow time for the rural final leg.
On foot or by taxi
The racecourse is about a mile from central Fakenham. Local taxis can take you up the B1146; book the return in advance, especially after a popular meeting.
Parking at Fakenham Racecourse
Fakenham’s standard car parks are free, while the Members car park is a paid option and also requires the appropriate Member or Day Member admission. Most arrivals should use the Pudding Norton entrance, postcode NR21 7NA. For centre-course parking or the Lancaster Room, use the Gallow Sports Centre entrance at NR21 7NY instead. Accessible parking is available; contact the racecourse before travelling if you need advice. Follow the route for your chosen area rather than a single generic entrance.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book trains to King’s Lynn or Norwich.
Hotels near Fakenham Racecourse
Fakenham has town-centre hotels and guest houses, with country inns and coastal accommodation across North Norfolk. There is also a year-round campsite at the racecourse; check its own booking terms for stays around a raceday.
Fakenham town
Stay by the River Wensum and market square, within reach of cafés, pubs, the cinema and shops.
- Wensum Lodge Hotel, Traditional riverside hotel on Bridge Street
- The Crown Hotel, 15th-century coaching inn in the town centre with bar, restaurant and rooms
- Erika’s Bed & Breakfast, Four-star B&B on Gladstone Road in Fakenham
North Norfolk villages and coast
Country inns, coastal towns and camping give more choice if you have a car.
- The Blue Boar Inn, Historic coaching inn and pub with accommodation in Great Ryburgh
- The Crown Inn, East Rudham, Village-green inn with hotel accommodation
- Fakenham Racecourse Caravan & Camping Site, Year-round site adjacent to sports facilities
Find a hotel
Compare hotels in North Norfolk.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Evenings in North Norfolk
Fakenham is a small market town with independent cafés, pubs and a cinema for a relaxed evening. The course is about a mile south, so plan the return journey if you are staying in town.
- Dinner in town
The Crown Hotel
This 15th-century coaching inn sits in the heart of Fakenham and has a restaurant and bar alongside its rooms.
- A pub meal outside town
Sculthorpe Mill
The restored 1757 watermill on the River Wensum operates as a pub and restaurant in nearby Sculthorpe. Visit North Norfolk lists it among the local places to eat.
- A film or live-screened performance
Central Cinema
Fakenham’s cinema occupies a listed Victorian building and screens recent films, National Theatre Live and other cinematic events.
These are Fakenham and nearby village venues, not racecourse outlets.
Things to do while you are here
Fakenham has its own market-town attractions, while North Norfolk’s coast, historic houses and nature reserves make rewarding day trips.
Fakenham Heritage Trail and Gas Museum
Follow blue plaques around the town to explore its industrial past, then visit the local gas museum for a specialist look at the history of gas production and domestic use.
River Wensum walk
The chalk-fed river runs through Fakenham and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation. The local visitor guide notes wildlife, old railway bridges and riverside paths.
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
A 700-acre site near Fakenham with gardens, wetlands, woodland and riverbank trails, bird hides and family activities.
North Norfolk coast
Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney and the saltmarsh coast are within a drive. Seasonal boat trips from Blakeney reach seal colonies; check local operators for current departures.
On the day
The season opener is an afternoon meeting. Fakenham publishes fixture-specific timing and travel information on its event pages; its general visitor information covers parking, children and payment.
11am gates · 1:45pm first racePublished for the Season Opener Raceday on Friday 16 October 2026.
4:37pm last raceThe same event page lists six races through the afternoon and notes that timings are subject to change.
Source: Fakenham Racecourse Season Opener Raceday page, checked 2 October 2026.
Dress for an outdoor course
The racecourse has no formal dress code. Winter meetings can be cold, so bring layers and footwear suited to outdoor viewing.
Children and dogs
Children under 18 are free when accompanied by an adult. Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome outdoors but cannot enter bars, restaurants or other indoor food-service areas; assistance dogs are excepted.
Parking and payment
General car parking is free. The season opener page says cash and card are accepted at bars and catering units and at payment points.
Families and groups
Fakenham offers a low-cost race visit for families, with nearby attractions for children on non-racing days too.
Free admission for under-18s
Children aged 17 and under enter free when accompanied by an adult and do not need a ticket. Around town, Fakenham Superbowl has six bowling lanes, soft play for younger children, an arcade and escape rooms.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Fakenham Racecourse, Fakenham, NR21 7NY. Then tell a member of staff.
Racecourse office
Call 01328 862388.
Accessibility
Accessible toilets, assistance dogs welcome and autism-friendly racedays.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1905The first meeting at Fakenham attracted 37 runners. Racing has continued annually except for enforced breaks during wartime.
- 1965Fakenham Racecourse Ltd was formed to secure Levy Board support and help protect the course from closure; a new operating period began with an autumn evening fixture.
More Fakenham guides
Compare the enclosuresPrices, views, dress codes and entrances side by sideAccessibilityParking, viewing areas, toilets and personal assistant ticketsYour first racedayHow a day at the races worksOther racecoursesPlan a trip to another course
Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 2 October 2026. The racecourse can change prices, times and arrangements, so check your booking page before you pay. This is an independent guide, not connected to Fakenham Racecourse. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.