Fakenham Museum of Gas

An interesting museum that can be found in Fakenham, Norfolk, England, is the Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History.  It is currently housed in the town’s last gas works which ceased producing gas from coal in 1965.  The discovery of gas in the North Sea contributed to the closing of the plant.  The gas works is the only works that survived destruction and it has been given the designation of a Scheduled Ancient Monument, one of the highest honours that can be given to such an establishment in the country, making it a national treasure.

The collection of artefacts in the museum is a view of the past that gives the visitors an insight into the history of William Murdoch who founded the gasworks in 1846.  At the time only eight men were employed there and the gasworks provided service for 500 consumers in the area.  After the discovery of gas in the North Sea, most of the gasworks that provided gas by burning coal closed down.  Fakenham shut down when a main trunk line for Norwich was run to the city.  It was scheduled under Section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979;  it was inaugurated in 1987.

Currently the buildings of the gasworks are being renovated and prepared for more exhibits and many people are excited about the restoration of this historical site.  Other projects include cleaning the retort house, weather proofing, rust treatment, weather treating the outdoors exhibits and adding a tearoom for their visitors.  If you are interested in volunteering for the project, contact the museum.

Admission is free but donations are highly appreciated.  It is open all year round on a Thursday from 10:30am to 1pm until June.  From June to August it is open on a Thursday from 10:30am to 3:30pm, and on Bank Holidays from 10:30am to 3:30pm.