About Foulsham
This typical Norfolk village is situated just off the A1067 Norwich to Fakenham road on a road that goes to and comes from virtually nowhere. The name means literally “Homestead of the birds” and at the time of the Domes day Book was spelt Folsham and was described as having 2 churches and 1 mill.
Like so many towns and villages Foulsham was the victim of a devastating fire, that on the 15th June 1770, destroyed 14 buildings and damaged many more. The fire started on one side of the market place and would not have done so much damage or spread so far if the General Stores had not contained gunpowder. The resulting explosion sent burning debris far and wide and set light to, amongst other buildings, the lovely 14th century church of The Holy Innocent’s and the parsonage. Both were severely damaged. The splendid church was rebuilt and with its 15th century tower and other parts dating back to the 13th century, is still an impressive building today. In recent years the village has become famed for its Christmas light display. A local electrician, Ray Lake began in 1992 to decorate his own house on Guist road with lights and in the following years he expanded to illuminate much of the village and the church. In later years the village had up to 35,000 bulbs lighting up the buildings and 200,000 visitors from far and wide travelled to see the spectacle. Unfortunately Foulsham’s little street and access roads were not able to cope with this volume of traffic.