Green spaces near Thetford Sure Start Centre

NWT East Wretham Heath

Access: Accessible by car (10 min drive from town centre)
Who owns it:  Norfolk Wildlife Trust
What it’s famous for: The oldest Breckland Nature Reserve (purchased by NWT at end of WW2) including heath, meres and woodland. The reserve contains an old Scots Pine plantation thought to have been planted in the early nineteenth century – around the time of the Battle of Waterloo. These gnarled old trees contrast with the monotonous, regular stands of conifers that predominate elsewhere in Thetford Forest.
Opening times and cost: Open at all times free of charge.    
Facilities/visitor info: Car park, information boards, no toilets. Open Access, but walkers must observe reserve signage and information as restrictions (no dogs) apply in some areas (Compartment C4). In other areas please keep dogs on a short lead March-July to avoid disturbance to ground-nesting birds. Outside this period walkers are requested to keep dogs under tight control or on a lead to avoid disturbance to livestock when present.
Address and how to get there: Thetford Road, IP24 1RU. By car: NWT East Wretham Heath is located 5km north east of Thetford. Leave Thetford on the A1075 towards Watton. After 5km turn left into the nature reserve car park.
Key activities: visit the hides and viewing shelters to take in the stunning views across the three meres (Langmere, Ringmere & Fenmere). Download the Trail smartphone app here: http://www.breakingnewground.org.uk/earthheritagetrail/downloads/

Barnham Cross Common

Access: Walkable site (20 mins from town centre)
Who owns it: Breaking New Ground/Thetford Town Council  
What it’s famous for: A wildlife haven on Thetford’s doorstep. Barnham Cross Common is a classic Brecks heathland that has been the focus of much ecological restoration work in recent years. The Common is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, particularly for its plant life – there are 120 species of rare and nationally threatened wildflowers. Facilities/visitor info: Car park (off Bury Road), information boards, no toilets
Address and how to get there: Bury Road, Thetford, IP24 3EB. On foot: Join the St Edmund Way footpath, heading south from the town centre across Nuns’ Bridges. Walk towards the playing field south of The Pinetree School where the common will be in full view. By car: Only a 5 minute drive from Thetford town centre. Head south on the A134 or join the A134 from Nuns’ Bridges Road. Parking is available on the right (at the playing field) or on the left about 400m down the road.
Key activities: Go wildflower and butterfly spotting in the spring and summer.

Nunnery Lakes Reserve

Access: Walkable site (20 mins from town centre)
Who owns it: British Trust for Ornithology/NWT
What it’s famous for: The Nunnery Lakes Reserve is a County Wildlife Site which follows a series of lakes created by old gravel workings, and contains a rich variety of Breckland habitats. These include dry, sandy heathland, wet woodland and flood meadow, which are home to a remarkable range of resident and seasonal wildlife. Around 60 species of bird breed here.
Opening times and cost: Open during daylight hours. Please keep all dogs on a lead. Free entry.
Facilities/visitor info: The nearest toilets are on Nunnery Place at the back of the BTO (during office hours only). BTO reception is open 9am–5.30pm Mon–Thurs and 9am–5pm Friday.  
Address and how to get there: access via BTO Office, The Nunnery, Thetford IP24 2PU.  On foot from Nuns’ Bridges Car Park: Cross the pedestrian bridge over the Little Ouse and turn right. Take the path beside the river through kissing gate The sign here will give you more information.
Ahead you will see the three arches of a bridge. Pass through kissing gate turn left and after 50 metres go through kissing gate on the right. About 150 metres down this path is the start of the Discovery Trail.
On foot via The Nunnery: Leaving The Nunnery through the white fivebar gate, cross the road and turn left along the pavement until you reach the corner (Nightingale Way). Cross the road and go down the gravel track, where you will find an information sign opposite the cottages. Carry on over a small bridge until you reach the bridge over the Little Ouse. Continue beyond the bridge and after 50 metres go through the kissing gate on the right. About 150 metres down this path is the start of the Discovery Trail.
By car: Only a 5 minute drive from Thetford town centre. Head south on the A134 or join the A134 from Nuns’ Bridges Road. Parking is available on the left about 400m down the road or at the BTO office on Nuns’ Bridges Road.
Key activities: See website for the Nunnery Lakes Discovery Trail – follow a series of information panels guiding you through the reserve and pointing out what wildlife to look out for along the way. You can also download a wildlife spotter sheet for the trail.

Brandon Country Park

Access: Accessible by bus (25 min) and car (20 min drive from town centre)
Who owns it: West Suffolk Council
What it’s famous for: Over 30 acres of managed parkland, famous arboretum, 'haunted' mausoleum, lawns and pond, historic walled garden and miles of nature trails.
Opening times and cost: Car parking costs £1 for up to 2 hours, £2 all day (£1.50 and £3 respectively at weekends and Bank Holidays). Charges apply between 8am and 8pm. open from 10am. Between April and October they close at 4.30 and between November and March close at 3.30. Open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Park is open from dawn to dusk.
Facilities/visitor info: There are cycle racks by the front entrance.  Three nature trails and 6-mile cycle trail. There is a play area suitable for toddlers, cafe.
Address and how to get there: Brandon Country Park, Visitor Centre, Bury Road, Brandon. Suffolk. IP27 0SU. By bus:  Take bus service 86 from Thetford bus station (Stand C, leaving every hour) and get off at the Spruce Drive stop in Brandon which will take 15 mins. From here, walk along Green Road until you reach Bury Road (B1106), turn left and continue to the park entrance - the walk will take 10 minutes in total.
By car: Take the B1107 towards Brandon and follow for 5 miles. Turn left onto Green Road and turn left at the T-junction onto Bury Road (B1106). The park entrance will be on your right.
What to take: Coins for the car park
Key activities: There are many signposted walks to choose from including the Redwood Trail and Tree Trail which are both suitable for pushchairs. Learn about trees from around the World in the famous arboretum. There is also a programme of family-friendly events on during the year including outdoor theatre and wildlife-themed activities.

High Lodge Thetford Forest

Access: Accessible by car (15 min drive from town centre)
Who owns it: Forestry Commission England
What it’s famous for: Thetford Forest is the largest man-made forest in the lowlands of the UK. It is the ideal setting for a great day out with a wealth of wildlife to spot as well as outdoor play facilities at High Lodge.
Opening times and cost: Open 9am-5pm most days. There is a site entry fee (which includes the parking).  Early Bird entry costs just £3 if you exit before 11am, £2 for a quick visit (up to 1 hour) and £5 for 2 hours.
Facilities/visitor info: Toilets are available inside the Café and also outside. There is a café serving a variety of home produced and locally sourced food.  Dogs are welcome in the forest including the area immediately around High Lodge Café. However please keep dogs under close control. This is for the safety of other forest users as well as to protect wildlife in the wider forest.
Address and how to get there: High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Brandon IP27 0AF. By car:  Take the Thetford Road (B1107) towards Brandon and follow for about 5 miles until you reach the High Lodge turning on your left. Continue along the track until you reach the car park. The route is well signposted.
Key activities: Discover wildlife and enjoy beautiful walks on one of the waymarked trails such as the Sculpture Play Trail (pushchair and child-friendly). Join the Highway Rat on his forest adventure, completing fun activities and spotting characters from the story as you go.

Two Mile Bottom

Access: by car (10 min drive from town centre). Possible to walk via St Edmunds Way footpath but this is 1 hour in one direction.
Who owns it: Forestry Commission England
What it’s famous for: The magnificent beeches lining the A134 at this site provide the setting for one of the most attractive picnic spots within Thetford Forest Park, creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Opening times and cost: Open dawn to dusk, free
Facilities/visitor info: picnic benches, car park off A134, no toilets, dogs welcome on leads.
Address and how to get there: Two Mile Bottom, Thetford IP24 1LZ
By car:  Take the A134 towards Lynford. The turning for the car park/picnic site is marked with a brown sign and is shortly after the scout hut sign.
On foot: If you are feeling more adventurous, the St Edmund Way footpath will take you all the way to the picnic site along the Little Ouse River. You can join this footpath from the Thetford town centre, for example, from Nuns’ Bridges. This walk will take about 1 hour in one direction.
Key activities: There is a lovely open area next to the car park for those wishing to picnic or play during their stay. Here, heather and grasses add a splash of colour and attract many butterflies and bees in the spring and summer. Cross over the road and take a stroll along the footpath which winds through the forest alongside the Little Ouse River.

St Helen’s Picnic Site

Access: by car (20 min drive from town centre)
Who owns it: Forestry Commission England
What it’s famous for: long the Little Ouse Valley, wetland areas of alder carr and fen, poplars, damp grazing meadows and reedbeds support a rich variety of plants, insects and birds. St Helen's picnic site, next to the river, is a great base from which to explore.
Opening times and cost: Open dawn to dusk, free
Facilities/visitor info: picnic benches, car park off A134, toilets, information board with walking trails, dogs welcome on leads. 
Address and how to get there: St Helen’s Picnic Site, Santon Downham, Brandon IP27 0TJ
By car: Take the A134 towards Lynford and follow for about 4 miles until you reach the Santon Downham/Forestry Commission Office sign, follow the sign, turning left. Continue along this road for 1.5 miles. The picnic site is well signposted and will be on your left shortly after the railway line crossing.   
Key activities: There is an easy access trail at St Helen’s Picnic Site which is is one and a half miles long. This is suitable for pushchairs and follows the Little Ouse River for part of its route. There is also a signposted 5-mile walk taking you through the beautiful forest Nature Reserve with information panels about the history and wildlife along the way. This walk can be started from St Helen’s Picnic Site or Santon Downham. Take a paddle in the shallows of the river.

Weeting Heath National Nature Reserve

Access: by car (20 min drive from town centre)
Who owns it: Norfolk Wildlife Trust   
What it’s famous for: NWT Weeting Heath is the best site in the country to watch the rare and unusual stone curlew.  This special Breckland habitat has to be specially managed to keep it so low – as well as sheep, NWT employs eager volunteers: rabbits!
Opening times and cost: NWT members and children go free, £3.75 for non-members. Reserve open 24 March to 31 July: 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Facilities/visitor info: isitor Centre with refreshments open: 24 March to 31 July: 9.30am – 4.30pm. August weekends and weekday openings on demand for nesting season. Toilets.
Address and how to get there: Hockwold Road, Weeting, IP26 4NQ
By car:   Take the Thetford Road (B1107) towards Brandon. Leave Brandon going north on the A1065 to Mundford. Cross the railway line on the outskirts of the town, then turn left to Weeting and Methwold. In the village of Weeting, turn left to Hockwold cum Wilton. The car park and visitor centre are signed 2.5km west of Weeting.
Key activities: Woodland birds are common in the trees around the visitor centre and on the woodland walk, with crossbills, tree pipits and spotted flycatchers sometimes seen. Stop and sit in one of the bird hides to take in the views and see which birds you can spot.

King’s Forest

Access: Accessible by car (15 mins from town centre) and bus (1 hour + 10 min walk)
Who owns it: Forestry Commission England
What it’s famous for: The Forest was named to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary. Kings forest is part of the Breckland Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) dedicated for a range of rare plants and animals, and a Special Protection Area (SPA) for the Woodlark and Nightjar.
Opening times and cost: Open dawn to dusk, free
Facilities/visitor info: picnic benches, car park off B1106, no toilets, dogs welcome on leads.
Address and how to get there: West Stow, Bury Saint Edmunds IP28 6UY
By car: Join the A11 heading south and take the turning in Elveden onto the B1106. Follow this road for around 3 miles and the King’s Wood car park turning will be on your left as you approach North Stow.
By bus:  Take bus service 86 from Thetford bus station (Stand C, leaving every hour) and get off at the North Stow Hall stop which will take around 1 hour. From here, walk south alongside Brandon Road (B1106) for about 10 minutes, and continue until your reach the car park entrance on your left - the walk will take 10 minutes in total.
Key activities: The chalky soil supports a wide variety of wildflowers which are worth a visit in the summer. There is a picnic site and there are many circular walking routes to choose from.