Fakenham has once again found itself ranked among the least favorable towns in Norfolk, thanks to a critique from a TikTok duo known as Towntickers. This pair has embarked on a mission to provide "poetic" reviews of every town across the country, but their latest assessment seems to have reopened a contentious debate.
After visiting Fakenham on a quiet day without its market bustle last October, the reviewers described the town as having "zero atmosphere." This less-than-flattering evaluation resulted in a paltry score of just four out of seven, positioning Fakenham—often hailed as Norfolk's "racing capital" due to its vibrant horse racing scene—among the bottom tier of towns in the county.
In a previous review, they labeled Watton as "rotten," a remark that ignited a defensive response from the town's mayor. Unfortunately for Fakenham residents, while they were relieved to avoid the title of Norfolk's worst town, their respite was short-lived.
In a recent video summarizing their 2025 travels, Towntickers introduced various award-like categories, including "most controversial rating" and "most disappointing." In a segment dedicated to what they termed the "most regretted score," they revisited Fakenham and shockingly concluded that it is, indeed, just as "rotten" as Watton. Their comment, "The score we regret the most was boring Fakenham town. The disappointing, lifeless place should be half-marked down," officially deemed Fakenham the worst town in Norfolk.
This review has sparked even more contention, particularly since Towntickers’ initial visit occurred on a Saturday. Many locals defended their town vehemently. One commenter noted, "Fakenham comes alive on Thursday when the market and auction room are open," while another insisted, "It’s not usually this quiet. You can’t judge based on just one visit. Come on a Thursday; it’s brilliant!" Another resident simply remarked, "You picked the wrong day."
As for Towntickers' overall rankings for Norfolk towns thus far:
1) Reepham - 6.5/7
2) Wymondham - 6/7
3) Swaffham - 5.5/7
4) Attleborough and Dereham - 5/7
5) Thetford - 4.5/7
6) Fakenham and Watton - 3.5/7
With such stark opinions being shared, what do you think? Should a single visit define a town's atmosphere, or is it essential to see a place during its peak times to truly understand its character? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
