HIGH Lodge Forest Centre is a recreation desti-
nation at the heart of the Brecklands, straddling
the borders of Norfolk and Suffolk it is the per-
fect place to play, explore, picnic and relax.
Play in the forest is actively encouraged and
the equipment in the Adventure Play area will
challenge the most demanding of children of all
ages who just want to let of steam.
The all-ability trail has Giant Play Sculptures of
forest creatures to discover, while the large open
space in front of High Lodge Forest Centre and
the surrounding forest is ideal for natural play.
Explore the forest and it's hidden secrets on
foot or bike. Depending on how energetic you
are, there are many walks ranging from one to six
miles. More and more people are discovering ori-
enteering and High Lodge Forest Centre offers
three courses of different lengths to follow.
There are miles of off-road cycling too, ranging
from `family friendly' trails to the more challeng-
ing `black' routes for the experienced biker.
Picnicking is easy at High Lodge Forest
Centre, as there is plenty of open space for a
picnic or you could use the picnic tables. If you
come for an hour and stay for the day, you can
grab snacks and drinks from `Food to Go' and
enjoy them under the trees. Alternatively you
could treat yourself to a tasty meal in the High
Lodge Forest Centre's oak-beamed restaurant.
TREETOP TREKKING
Relaxed is how you will feel after a day out in
Thetford Forest, but there is more to High Lodge
Forest Centre.
Go Ape's high wire adventure is treetop
trekking high above the forest floor, an adventure
you won't forget. Booking is essential and you
will need to be 1.4m tall and over ten-years-old.
Bike Art has cycles to hire, including all-ability
bicycles for those with disabilities or health prob-
lems, so you don't need to bring your own bike
to enjoy the cycle routes, and if your bike has
seen better days, you could always buy a new
one or some accessories.
High Lodge Forest Centre hosts a wide variety
of events across the year including walks, out-
door concerts and theatre, themed events at
Halloween and Christmas.
For all the latest details check the Forestry
Commission's website at
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/highlodge.
High Lodge Forest Centre (IP27 0AF) is located
on the B1107 between Thetford and Brandon.
Telephone: 01842 815434. Vehicle Access
Charge applies. Season ticket available.
THETFORD has an intriguing histo-
ry having evolved from an impor-
tant medieval religious centre to
become an elegant 19th century
spa town and a manufacturing cen-
tre.
It was the Saxon capital of East
Anglia and boasted its own mint in
the 10th century. Its coins have
been found as far afield as
Scandinavia.
Its fortunes have
changed over the
years and when
Henry VIII ordered
the dissolution of
the monasteries, it lost its most
important religious buildings.
With them went most of
Thetford's wealth and prestige.
The town's Ancient House
Museum, part of Norfolk Museums
Service, has exhibits on the history
of Thetford and the Brecks in a
Grade I listed building that dates
from 1490.
It reopened in September 2006,
following a �1.6 million restoration
programme, with funding from the
Heritage Lottery Fund and others,
and there are now up-to-date dis-
plays with new audio guides and
films.
Museum details can be seen at
www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk.
From the museum you can take
a two-hour heritage trail walk.
You can learn about the priceless
Thetford Treasure of Roman arti-
facts discovered in 1979.
TALLEST
You will see England's tallest
medieval earthwork at Castle Hill.
Learn, too, about characters like
Maharajah Duleep Singh who in
1863 bought Elveden Estate, three
miles from Thetford.
His son Prince Frederick founded
the town museum.
Thetford was also the manufac-
turing home of the once world
famous Burrell's Traction engines.
The firm was founded in the 18th
century and closed in 1928.
Their former paintshop is now
the Charles Burrell Museum in
Minstergate.
While it has a rich
history,Thetford has also moved
with the times, so you will also find
a good range of shops and a
pedestrianised shopping area with
free parking.
Visit it soon.
THE bi-centenary of the death of
Thomas Paine, the key political
thinker during America's revolu-
tionary struggle with Britain, will
be marked with a special festival
in Thetford, where he was born in
1737.
Paine emigrated to America in
1774, and his pamphlet Common
Sense (1776) was a key contribu-
tor to American popular opinion
changing to favour independ-
ence.
A seven-month programme in
Thetford begins in June, with the
main weekend from Friday, June
5, to Monday, June 8.
On the Saturday, professional
re-enactors and local groups will
create a panorama of life in
Georgian Thetford, while on
Sunday a French market and
skirmishing below Castle Hill will
add to the entertainment.
Displays and concerts will also
explore the thought, music,
dance, fashion and art of the
time. Further information on
01842 820600 and at
www.tompaine200.org.uk
Funtime in
the forest
Thomas Paine bi-centenary celebration Tourist Information
Thetford Tourist Information
Centre: 4 White Hart Street, tel 01842
820689
Market Days: Tuesdays and
Saturdays
Websites
For local information on this area, visit
our website at
www.buryfreepress.co.uk or
www.visit-suffolk.org.uk
THETFORD MINTED COINS WENT FAR AFIELD
High adventure up in the trees at Go Ape at Thetford Forest.
HIGH LODGE FOREST CENTRE
Thetford Forest Park
Located on the B1107 between Thetford and Brandon
www.forestry.gov.uk/highlodge
Play
Explore
Picnic
Relax
YOUR FELTWELL GOLF CLUB SUMMER
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