What Thetford Forest Offers for Cottage Holidays

Thinking of taking a holiday in Thetford Forest?  Discover just what Thetford has to offer for cottage breaks.

Find a Holiday Rental in or near Thetford Forest Park

Discover the Appeal of Thetford Forest for Self-Catering Holidays

Set in the heart of the Norfolk countryside close to the town of Thetford, Thetford Forest is a wonderfully green oasis protected by the Forestry Commission which extends to almost 50,000 acres.  A site of special scientific interest, Thetford is the UK's biggest lowland pine forest and is a popular location for walking, cycling, mountain biking and wildlife watching.

Villages within Thetford Forest Park include:

•    Ickburgh; Lying just off the A1065, the village of Ickburgh is conveniently  close to Lynford Arboretum and lies just north of Thetford Forest Park.  Also nearby is Weeting Heath National Nature Reserve (a hot spot for bird watching) and Grime's Graves Prehistoric Flint Mine; a fascinating area which looks like a grassy lunar landscape.

•    Lynford; Situated just off the A134 and nestled by trees, the village of Lynford is a convenient base for a self-catering break in Thetford Forest Park and is very close to Grime Graves Prehistoric Flint Mine.  

•    Mundford; If you're looking to stay in a reasonably large village in Thetford Forest Park then the village of Mundford with its village store and pub could be an ideal choice.

Outdoor Activities Galore at Thetford Forest Park

Within Thetford Forest Park are mountain biking trails, as well as gentler family-friendly trails.  There are also many good walking trails that will help guide you through the canopy of the forest.  Popular spots for birdwatching include the Mayday Pond, Weeting Heath National Nature Reserve and Thorpe Woodlands.

Go Ape in Thetford Forest

Exciting things happening in Thetford Forest in Breckland, Norfolk.  Did you know that you could 'Go Ape in the Forest'?  This is the equivalent of an assault course but up in the trees.  Wearing a safety harness, you can scramble and climb over 41 variations of aerial rope bridges, scramble nets and zip slides. Anyone over the height of 4ft 7in and the age of ten can do it, although minors must be accompanied by an adult.  It's all exciting stuff and very good fun. Look up Go Ape and read about our own experience to find out more. The nearest village is Santon Downham, followed by Brandon, Thetford and Mundford.  

You could cycle in the forest and round about.  Bikes can be hired from 'Bike Art'.  There are over 30km of waymarked cycle trails and walks.

Lots of other things to do, especially if you have a family with younger children. There's a 2km all ability trail with 5 giant sculptures, a squirrel's maze, adventure play area, a ropes course for younger ones, and a forest restaurant and shop.

Cycling routes around Thetford Forest, Norfolk

•    National cycle network, route 13 runs past Thetford and all the way up to the north coast of Norfolk, via Watton and Dereham,

•    There are two cycle trails in Thetford Forest itself, the Brandon Park and High Lodge loops, both of which are about 6.5 miles long. 

•    The Harling Drove is a 10 mile route based on the old Harling Drove road, which dates back from prehistoric times.  This was the route once taken by farmers driving their flocks and herds to market.
 

Wherever you decide to discover in the woods at Thetford Forest Park, we hope you have the best of times on your holiday in Norfolk.