Thetford Forest - park in Norfolk, United Kingdom
Thetford Forest is in Norfolk and Suffolk in England, United Kingdom.
Understand
A man-made forest of 47,000 acres (19,000 hectares) and an area of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
History
Created after the First World War when the UK was in need of timber, today the area is managed by The Forestry Commission. 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
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
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: December 2020).
Climate
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
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: December 2020)
Get in
By road
Thetford is 5 miles from the centre of the forest and lies on its outer edges. The A134 runs to 
.
- Elveden Estate The Courtyard (Shops & Restaurant), The Courtyard, Elveden Estate, IP24 3TJ, 52.3888°, 0.6754°, +44 1842 898068, estate.shop@elveden.com. Shops: M-Sa 09:30-17:00. Su 10:00-17:00; Restaurant: Breakfast 09:30-11:15 (Su 10:00-11:15). Lunch 12:00-15:30. 2017-05-17
- Aldi (Supermarket), 62 High Street Brandon IP27 0AU, 52.44966°, 0.62417°. M-Sa 08:00-22:00. Su 10:00-16:00. 2017-05-17
- Tesco (Convenience Store), London Rd, Brandon, IP27 0ER, 52.44431°, 0.61797°, +44 345 677 9099. M-Sa 06:00-22:00. Su 10:00-16:00. ATMs. 2017-05-17
Eat
- The Café, The Pantry & The Ice Cream Parlour, IP27 0AF (OS Grid Ref TL807864), 52.445677°, 0.657393°. 2017-05-17 Also, check the surrounding towns and villages such as Thetford, Mildenhall & Attleborough.
- {{eat | name=Asghar | alt=Indian Restaurant & Take-away | url=http://asgharindianrestaurant.co.uk (dead link: December 2020) | email= | address=69 Crown St, Brandon, IP27 0JU | lat=52.4430 | long=0.6057 | directions= | phone=+44 1842 810523 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=Daily 17:00-22:30 | price= | lastedit=2017-05-17 | content= }}
- Peach Bower, 8-10 Market Hill, Brandon, IP27 0AA, 52.44746°, 0.62414°, +44 1842 811131, peach_bower@yahoo.co.uk. Daily 12:00-14:00 & 17:00-23:00. 2017-05-17
Drink
- The Elveden Inn (Pub, Restaurant & Hotel), Brandon Road (B1106), Elveden Estate IP24 3TP, 52.38617°, 0.66555°, +44 1842 890876, enquiries@elvedeninn.com. 2017-05-17
- Chick King Mile End Cafe (Cafe & Take Away), Mile End, Brandon, IP27 0NX, 52.4370°, 0.6019°, +44 1842 810021. 2017-05-17 Also, check the surrounding towns and villages such as Thetford, Mildenhall & Attleborough.
Sleep
There are no accommodations inside the forest areas, but rather in towns and villages around the park Thetford, Attleborough, Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds.
Lodging
- CenterParcs (Holiday Village), 52.3913°, 0.6537°, +44 3448 267723. Many different on-site activities. Only open to people staying at the park, no day visitors. 2017-05-17
- {{sleep | name=The Great Eastern Hotel | alt= | url=http://www.thegreateasternhotel.com (dead link: December 2020) | email= | address=High St, Brandon, IP27 0AX | lat=52.45335 | long=0.62270 | directions= | phone=+44 1842 338161 | tollfree= | fax= | checkin=from 14:00 | checkout=by 11:00 | price=Single £50-£75. Double/twin £70-£90 | lastedit=2017-05-17 | content=Free car park. Free Wi-Fi. Pets £10 per night. }}
- The Crown Hotel (Hotel, Restaurant & Pub), Crown Rd, Mundford, IP26 5HQ, 52.5126°, 0.6577°, +44 1842 878233, info@the-crown-hotel.co.uk. 2017-05-17
- Brandon House Hotel (Hotel, Bar & Restaurant), High St, Brandon, IP27 0AX, 52.4522°, 0.6235°, +44 1842 810171, sales@brandonhousehotel.co.uk. AA 3*. 2017-05-17
Camping
Camping is not permitted in the park area, but there are several campsites nearby.
- The Dower House, Thetford Forest, East Harling, NR16 2SE (Near Great Hockham), 52.4279°, 0.8950°, +44 1953 717314, info@dowerhouse.co.uk. Pub. Kids area. Swimming pool. 2017-05-17
- Thetford Forest Campsite (Puddledock Farm), Puddledock Lane, Great Hockham, IP24 1FJ, 52.4960°, 0.8585°, +44 1953 498455. Open all year. 2017-05-17
Stay safe
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: December 2020).
For cyclists, the Forrestry Commission provide information of bike safety (dead link: December 2020).