Thetford Forest Park

Address: Thetford Forest, England (Norfolk/Suffolk border)

Website: https://www.forestryengland.uk/thetford-forest

Hours: Forest generally open daylight hours; visitor centre hours vary by season (check Forestry England)

Admission: Free (some paid activities and visitor hubs may charge)

Thetford Forest is a large planted forest in eastern England managed by Forestry England and encompassing the Brecks landscape between Norfolk and Suffolk.

The forest offers extensive waymarked walking routes, graded mountain-bike trails, camping and wildlife observation across pine plantation and patches of heathland. High Lodge is the main visitor centre with parking, toilets and trailheads.

Planting began in the early 20th century under the Forestry Commission to expand timber resources; the area was developed into a managed forest and public recreation landscape through the 20th century.

The forest stretches across parts of Norfolk and Suffolk near the town of Thetford and is within easy driving distance of Norwich and other East Anglian centres.

• Size and management: Managed by Forestry England, the forest was planted in the 20th century and now covers approximately 19,000 hectares, making it the largest lowland pine forest in the UK.
• Recreation: Offers year-round outdoor recreation including waymarked walking routes, graded mountain-bike trails and family facilities at the visitor centre.

What to See#

• High Lodge visitor centre: High Lodge visitor centre provides a gateway for walking trails, mountain-biking routes and family facilities within the forest park.
• Trails and recreation areas: An extensive network of waymarked trails and mountain-biking routes crosses the plantation forestry and heathland, with dedicated cycling trails of varying grades.

By car from Norwich or Cambridge using the A11; public transport links exist to nearby towns with local buses to forest visitor centres such as High Lodge.

• Visit High Lodge (the main visitor centre) for maps, bike hire and up-to-date trail conditions.
• Try the cycling trails early on a weekend - car parking fills later in the day.
• Look for red squirrels in quieter glades; they are more elusive than the common grey squirrel found in other parts of the UK.