13. MUSEUM OF LOCAL GAS AND LOCAL HISTORYThis is an important museum, as it is the only surviving town gasworks in England and Wales. It contains all the original equipment needed to make gas from coal and ceased production in 1965 following the discovery of North Sea gas.
Coal was shovelled by hand into closed retorts and heated by furnaces thus releasing raw town gas which then had to have tar, ammonia and hydrogen sulphide removed. The process converted the coal to coke ‐ almost pure carbon. Some of this was used in the furnaces to heat the retorts whilst the rest was sold as fuel. The gas was stored in one of two gasometers. Fakenham's Museum of Gas and Local History is a Scheduled Ancient Monument that provides an insight into our cultural, social and industrial heritage. Its displays include gas street lamps, water heaters, cookers, stoves, fires, domestic gas lighting and gas meters. A visit to the museum, its contents and site will bring back many memories. For opening hours see link below: www.fakenhamgasmuseum.com On the way to the next Plaque at Cattle Market via Bridge Street you will cross the Victoria Bridge shown below. Princess Victoria was not amused when her coach became stuck in the ford and later as Queen she never returned. In 1833, as a result of this embarrassment, the bridge was built using labour from the Poor House on the Heath. 
Victoria Bridge. Click on image to enlarge.
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The museum is on the site of the old Gas Works as shown here.
Gas Works yard area showing the large gasometer in background.
The retorts used to make town
gas from coal with coke and coal tar as by-products.
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