| Walk on the wild side |
| This wildlife walk takes you back to nature, alongside the Little Ouse river and through the heart of Thetford Forest |
Like much of Norfolk, the area known as the Brecks is covered in sandy soil which for many years was the basis of heathland created by prehistoric farmers. In recent times, the region has been transformed by the planting of the Thetford Forest (in the 1920s), which has introduced new species of wildlife and attracts over a
million visitors each year.
Our walk starts alongside the Little Ouse, follows it to Santon Downham, then heads into the Thetford Forest, ending in Thetford itself. Motorhome owners will probably associate the Thetford name with the toilet manufacturer, but in fact that product originates from the US. One of the English Thetford’s claims to fame is the town’s blue plaque commemorating the birthplace of Thomas Paine. Paine was the author of The Rights of Man, which established the
concept of human rights. Once you’ve pottered round the town, catch a bus back to the car park.
Directions to car park
Turn right out of Dower House Touring Park and zero your trip meter. At 1.9 miles bear left then turn right onto the A1066. Turn right at the roundabout at six miles then go across the next roundabout, at 6.5 miles. At 8.1 miles turn left at the roundabout (A11 to Newmarket) then turn right at the roundabout (9.5 miles) along the B1107 to Brandon. Follow the one-way system in until you reach the car park.
1. Start here
On foot, head left out of the car park and turn right at the first
T-junction, then left at the next one along the B1106. Cross over the road, then turn right at the traffic lights, along the high street. Continue down the hill, over the river, then take the first right along Riverside Walk. Turn right onto ‘Little Ouse Path’. After 500 yards find Gashouse Meadows on your right, across the river.
2. Nature trail
Gashouse Meadows is a small area encompassing a reed fen, grazing meadows and alder woods. If you’re here around the month of May, nightingales can be heard from the thickets; otherwise you can spot grey wagtails, little grebes, moorhens and, among the poplars, lesser-spotted woodpeckers.
3. River walk to Thetford
Continue along the river bank for 1.5 miles until you come across a bridge; turn right over it, into Santon Downham. This is a tiny village hidden in the forest, with
a super little shop where you can buy sandwiches for your lunch
– there are a few picnic tables behind the Forestry Commission Centre which you can reach by
following the road to the right of the shop.
Head back out of Santon Downham and cross the bridge, continuing alongside the road. Cross the level crossing, then turn right along the forest track. After two-thirds of a mile, you will see tiny All Saints’ church to your right, which was built in 1628
and is home to a sizable population of bats. To the left of the church is Santon House, birthplace of Thomas Shadwell, a 17th-century poet laureate.
After a further two-thirds of a mile, head up a small hill and take the right fork, just after the waymark post. After 800 yards, the track bears left at a flint cottage; in another 100 yards take a hairpin, right, before you reach the road and pass beneath the bridge, continuing for 50 yards and heading left along the river bank. After 500 yards, go through the green kissing gate and across the former turf pit, keeping parallel with the river.
Continue down the broad track between the river and the forest. After 500 yards take the right hand fork, then after a further 500 yards, continue straight ahead, as the track bears left towards the railway bridge. Turn right at the next junction, then follow the path along the river bank past a fishing pond on your left and under the bridge. Continue along the river bank for half a mile through the park, at the end of which the ruins of St Mary’s Priory are on your left.
Thetford Priory
This Cluniac priory (part of an order which originated in the great monastery in Cluny, France) was built in 1104 by Roger Bigod, a friend of William the Conqueror. The ruins are substantial enough to give an idea of the scale of the building, and the 14th-century gatehouse is largely intact. Surprisingly, there were as many as 22 religious houses in Thetford in medieval times, which reflects the town’s prosperity and popularity as a place of pilgrimage.
4. Steam machines
Head out of the Priory and turn left along the underpass. The Charles Burrell Museum is 200 yards ahead, on your right.
Once one of Thetford’s biggest employers, Charles Burrell and Sons produced steam engines and agricultural machines which were shipped all over the world. The firm stopped producing them in the 1920s, though parts of the
original premises survived long enough to be turned into a museum (in 1991) where you can now learn about the history of the firm and those who worked there.
Walk past the Charles Burrell Museum, into Thetford town
centre. Turn right after Lloyds TSB bank, then right again and over the bridge. The stop for the bus back to Brandon is across the car park, in the crook of two walls. For bus times, call 0845 3006116. We caught the number 130, which runs throughout the afternoon.
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Distance Driving 19 miles, walking 10.4 miles, bus ride 20 minutes
Time 6-8 hours
Suitable for All the family
Refreshments
S. Downham village shop
Attractions
Charles Burrell Steam Museum
Tel 01842 751166
Website Click here.
Tourist information (Diss)
Tel 01379 650523
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