Thetford Forest

Thetford Forest is a large pine woodland in Norfolk and Suffolk that also includes heathland patches and broadleaf trees. The paths lead through dense conifer plantations and reach open clearings with low vegetation.

The Forestry Commission began planting after the First World War to rebuild depleted timber reserves. The pines were planted on former heathland and farmland that was poorly suited to agriculture.

The name comes from the nearby town of Thetford and the sandy paths through the pine plantations are used today by walkers and cyclists. The open heathland patches between the trees still show the old landscape that existed before the planting began.

Marked routes for walkers and cyclists run throughout the woodland, some are flat and easy to follow. Car parks are located at several entrances and provide access to different sections of the area.

Grimes Graves lies within the woodland and shows shafts from the Neolithic period where people mined flint. Some of the deep pits can still be visited today and provide insight into early mining technique.

Location: Norfolk

Inception: 1922

GPS coordinates: 52.46030,0.64797

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29