Thetford Forest is in Norfolk and Suffolk in England, United Kingdom.
Understand
[edit]A man-made forest of 47,000 acres (19,000 hectares) and an area of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
History
[edit]Created after the First World War when the UK was in need of timber, today the area is managed by The Forestry Commission[dead link]. Although the creation of the forest destroyed the existing environment, that existing environment was also man made through flint extraction works (e.g. Grime's Graves a Neolithic flint mining complex).
Landscape
[edit]When first planted, the Scots pine was the main species grown. However gradually the Corsican pine has been planted instead due to its increased resistance to fungal attack and insect pests. A variety of other species have been planted but have been less commercially successful. Hardwood trees are used in belts beside roads in part to act as fire breaks; these include oak, beech, lime, walnut, red oak, and maple.
Flora and fauna
[edit]The area has an extremely diverse wildlife and natural history attracts many visitors to the forest.
The forest has 3 main species of deer, Red Deer, Roe Deer and Muntjac with small numbers of Fallow Deer. Deer can cause a lot of forest damage, particularly to young saplings, so their numbers (particularly those of Muntjac) are managed. The forest is one of the best places in England to see Woodlarks (particularly Mar-Apr), best seen in the forest clearings. Other bird species in the forest include Redpoll, Blackcap, Mandarins, Bramblings, Firecrest, Goshawk, Nuthatches, Common Crossbills, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Siskins, etc.
The Forrestry Commission provide advice about biosecurity and steps visitors should take to avoid spreading plant diseases Forrestry Commission biosecurity advice page [dead link].
Climate
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Being in East Anglia the forest enjoys a drier climate than the more western parts of the UK. Winter temperatures range 0-7°C and typically have 11 rain days a month. In summer Jul & Aug range 11-23°C with 9 rain days each month. Winter sunshine hours per month can be as low as 40 hrs in Dec but improve to over 200 hrs in July. Detailed information can be found on the UK Met Office Thetford Climate page or UK Met Office East of England Climate page.
Not permitted
[edit]
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of users of the forest a number of activities are not allowed (or strictly controlled or confined to specific areas)
- Drones are not permitted within the park.
- Metal detecting is not permitted within the park.
- Commercial mushroom and fungus collection is not allowed though personal use is.
- Geocaching is controlled and has strict placement conditions (check with Forestry Commission).
- Bracken/ Moss/ Bonsai Collecting required advance authorisation from the Forestry Commission.
- Husky sled racing is confined to 4 specific areas in the park.
- Motorbikes are not permitted within the park except in the two specific allocated locations.
- Archery is confined to 3 specific locations within the park.
- 4x4 vehicles are generally not permitted in the part though some can be authorised in advance by the Forrestry commission.
For full details see Forestry Commission Activities in Thetford Forest [dead link]
Get in
[edit]By road
[edit]Thetford is 5 miles from the centre of the forest and lies on its outer edges. The A134 runs to [[King's Lynn] 25 miles) to the N and to Thetford (5 miles) to the S. The A1065 runs through and beside the forest, from Swaffham and beyond to the N and to Mildenhall to the S. The A11 main road Cambridge, Newmarket, Thetford, Norwich runs past the SE edge of the forest.
By train
[edit]- 1 Railway Station, Bridge St, Brandon, IP27 0BA. On the Breckland Line (Cambridge to Norwich), operated by and services from Greater Anglia.
By bus
[edit]There are no bus services into the forest.
Coach Services Ltd routes 40, 86 and 200/201 run to Brandon on the W edge of the forest.
By bicycle
[edit]- The Peddars Way long distance path (46 miles) running from Holme-next-the-Sea passes through the E outlying forest areas.
- National Cycle Route 13 from Fakenham to the N and Colchester to the S runs to the SE side of the forest.
- Regional Cycle Route 30 runs through the forest, from Lowestoft to the E and to Downham Market to the W.
On foot
[edit]The Peddars Way long distance path (46 miles) running from Holme-next-the-Sea passes through the E outlying forest areas.
Fees and permits
[edit]Entry to the forest is free, though some of the attractions may levy a charge.
Get around
[edit]
The forest is crossed by the A134 main road, and the B1065, B1107 and B1106 minor roads (and a few small lanes). There are many marked trails and paths within the forest for walkers, runners & cyclists. The forest has an "open access" policy for horse riders on Forrestry Commission freehold land. The forest has an "open access" policy for Carriage Driving on Forrestry Commission freehold land & Shouldham woods.
See
[edit]- 1 Grime's Graves (Neolithic Flint Mine), Lynford, IP26 5DE, ☏ +44 1842 810656. Free parking 500 m from entrance. Food vending machine. Picnic area. Dogs on leads. Toilets. Shop. Adult £4.30, vhild £2.60, concession £3.90.
- 2 Mildenhall Warren (Off of the A1065 from Barton Mills roundabout towards Brandon (OS Grid ref TL735752)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn to dusk. Medieval Warrener's lodge, warren banks and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Parking.
- 3 Lynford Arboretum, Lynford, IP26 5HW (Off of the A1065 on the Lynford Road near to the Arboretum (OS Grid ref TL822942)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk. Parking.
- 4 High Ash, IP26 5BX (Off Off of the A1065 (OS Grid ref TL813967)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk. Memorial to the 7th Armoured Div (the Desert Rats), based here during World War II. Parking.
- 5 Great Hockham (Picnic Site) (Off of the A1075 (OS Grid ref TL938919)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk. Parking.
- 6 King's Forest (Mature Beech avenue) (off of the B1106 (OS Grid ref TL824749)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk.
- 7 Two Mile Bottom (Picnic Area) (off of the A134 (OS Grid ref TL849873)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk. Parking.
- 8 [formerly dead link] West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, IP28 6HG, ☏ +44 1284 728718, [email protected]. West Stow Country Park: Apr 9AM-7PM; May-Aug 9AM-8PM; Sep Oct 9AM-7PM; Nov-Mar 9AM-5PM (closing earlier Dee Jan). Anglo Saxon Village: daily 10AM-5PM. No dogs (except guide dogs).
Do
[edit]- 1 High Lodge (Adventure Park), High Lodge, Thetford Forest, IP27 0AF (OS Grid ref TL807864), ☏ +44 300 067 4400, [email protected]. Daily 9AM-5PM to 9AM-7PM depending on time of year. Focused on children's activities, includes adventure playground, forest walks. Site entry fee includes free parking. Café. Dogs welcome £2.20 per hr (or part) per car; max £11.50..
- 2 St Helen's (Forest Nature Reserve), IP27 0TJ (off of the A134 (OS Grid ref TL820880)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk. 5-mile circular walk and other forest trails. Parking.
- 3 Desert Rats Walk (2 mile marked trail), IP26 5BX (OS Grid ref TL813967), ☏ +44 300 067 4546. Daily dawn-dusk. Grade: Easy. Trail passes through the old camp. Display boards describing life for the Desert Rats in the Forest.
- 4 Rishbeth Woods (Forest Trails) (off of the B1107. (OS Grid ref TL842840)), ☏ +44 300 067 4400, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk. Waymarked trail to High Lodge. Parking.
- 5 West Stow (Forest Walk) (off of the main road through the West Stow (OS Grid ref TL813709)), ☏ +44 300 067 4546, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk.
- 6 Bike Art (Bicycle Hire), High Lodge Forest Centre, Sandon Downham, Brandon, IP27 0AF (OS Grid ref TL807864), ☏ +44 1842 810090, [email protected]. Daily 9AM-4PM. Hire, sales, workshop & courses. Adult: 1st hr £10, extra hr £5; child: 1st hr £8 extra hr £4.
- 7 Go Ape, High Lodge Forest Centre, Santon Downham, Brandon, IP27 0AF, ☏ +44 845 643 9215 (premium). Several activities & courses: zip wires, tarzan swings, rope ladders and a variety of obstacles.
Buy
[edit]Main shop are in neighbouring towns Thetford, Brandon, Mildenhall, Attleborough and [Bury St Edmunds]].
- 1 Elveden Estate The Courtyard (Shops & Restaurant), The Courtyard, Elveden Estate, IP24 3TJ, ☏ +44 1842 898068, [email protected]. Shops: M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su 10AM-5PM; restaurant: breakfast 9:30-11:15AM (Su 10-11:15AM); lunch noon-3:30PM. Shops & restaurant.
- 2 Aldi Supermarket, 62 High Street Brandon IP27 0AU. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
- 3 Tesco, London Rd, Brandon, IP27 0ER, ☏ +44 345 677 9099. M-Sa 6AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Convenience store. ATMs.
Eat
[edit]- 1 The Café, The Pantry & The Ice Cream Parlour, IP27 0AF (OS Grid Ref TL807864).
Also, check the surrounding towns and villages such as Thetford, Mildenhall & Attleborough.
- 2 Asghar, 69 Crown St, Brandon, IP27 0JU, ☏ +44 1842 810523. Daily 5-10:30PM. Indian restaurant & take-away.
- 3 Peach Bower, 8-10 Market Hill, Brandon, IP27 0AA, ☏ +44 1842 811131, [email protected]. Daily noon-2PM & 5-11PM.
Drink
[edit]- 1 The Elveden Inn, Brandon Road (B1106), Elveden Estate IP24 3TP, ☏ +44 1842 890876, [email protected]. Pub, restaurant & hotel.
- 2 Chick King Mile End Cafe, Mile End, Brandon, IP27 0NX, ☏ +44 1842 810021. Cafe & take away.
Also, check the surrounding towns and villages such as Thetford, Mildenhall & Attleborough.
Sleep
[edit]There are no accommodations inside the forest areas, but rather in towns and villages around the park Thetford, Attleborough, Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds.
Lodging
[edit]- 1 CenterParcs Holiday Village, ☏ +44 3448 267723. Many different on-site activities. Only open to people staying at the park, no day visitors.
- 2 The Great Eastern Hotel, High St, Brandon, IP27 0AX, ☏ +44 1842 338161. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Free car park. Free Wi-Fi. Pets £10 per night. Single £50-75. Double/twin £70-90.
- 3 The Crown Hotel, Crown Rd, Mundford, IP26 5HQ, ☏ +44 1842 878233, [email protected]. Hotel, restaurant & pub.
- 4 Brandon House Hotel, High St, Brandon, IP27 0AX, ☏ +44 1842 810171, [email protected]. AA 3* hotel, bar & restaurant.
Camping
[edit]Camping is not permitted in the park area, but there are several campsites nearby.
- 5 The Dower House, Thetford Forest, East Harling, NR16 2SE (Near Great Hockham), ☏ +44 1953 717314, [email protected]. Pub. Kids area. Swimming pool.
- 6 Thetford Forest Campsite (Puddledock Farm), Puddledock Lane, Great Hockham, IP24 1FJ, ☏ +44 1953 498455. Open all year.
Stay safe
[edit]Some parts of the forest are remote and it can get hot in summer so take appropriate precautions.
Forrestry activities take place (e.g. felling of trees) to check before setting out with Forrestry Commission Operations Plans - East of England [dead link].
For cyclists, the Forrestry Commission provide information of bike safety [dead link].