Fakenham East Station

The old railway station at Fakenham tells you something about Norfolk that motorways have since made easy to forget - this county was once criss-crossed by branch lines that mattered. Fakenham East Station sits as a remnant of that era, a place where you can actually stand on a platform and imagine the clatter of steam trains hauling goods and passengers through rural Norfolk.

It's largely a spot for railway enthusiasts and local history buffs rather than a full day out. You won't find facilities or interpretation boards here - it's more a case of turning up, having a look around the Victorian brickwork, and understanding how the railways shaped settlements like Fakenham before Beeching's cuts. The station building itself is worth a photograph, all solid construction and period detail.

Allow half an hour, maybe forty minutes if you're taking it slowly. There's no charge, obviously - it's just sitting there. The best time is a clear day when the light catches the old stonework properly.

If you're based at Norfolk Coast Caravans and Camping or any of the nearby sites - Wild Meadow Glamping is only a couple of miles out - this makes a gentle morning wander before heading toward the larger attractions. Fakenham itself has the town's museum worth your time, and you're well-placed for exploring the Norfolk heritage coast. Don't expect drama or grand gestures. Expect quiet, railway history, and the chance to think about how different travel was barely seventy years ago.