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Designated a Forest Park by the Forestry Commission in May 1990, Thetford Forest provides the ideal setting for an interesting day out. This is the orange walk, one of several walks in the park and starts from the Forest District Office administrative centre at Santon Downham. The walk is marked throughout with orange topped waymark posts that can be easily followed. However for the duration of certain activities such as felling operations and some recreational pursuits some parts of the forest may be closed, but well signed diversions are provided. You may therefore find some variation to the walk described here. Santon means a sandy farmstead and Downham a homestead on a hill. This refers to the rise that the village is built on and separates it from the nearby parish of Santon situated across the river in Norfolk. Much of the land here originally belonged to Charles Sloane (later Lord Cadogan) and provides very easy walking routes on the sandy soil. The light land was easy to farm and was certainly cultivated in Roman times. Before the forest was planted by the Forestry Commission the sandy soil had become a menace and huge sandstorms are even said to have diverted the course of the river. One farmer is reported to have enquired if his farm was in Norfolk or Suffolk. From the Forest Office car park turn left following the orange topped posts on the road signposted to Santon Warren. Cross the bridge over the River Little Ouse, marking the county boundary with Norfolk, and walk on past the entrance to St Helens Picnic Site to a track on the left, just before crossing the railway. Follow the track to a bridge under the railway. On the left is Ouse Meadow details of which are given on an information board and at the time of writing there was a flock of all black sheep grazing. Follow the track on the other side of the railway, now heading back towards the road. At the junction with the road turn left and then bear off right past a barrier on a firm track through the trees. At the top of the rise continue straight on along the track ahead, passing a Thetford rare birds information board. In the centre of a large clearing turn right and follow the track, crossing a number of other tracks to eventually reach a track parallel to the railway. Turn right and walk as far as Railway Cottage and a bridge under the railway. At the other side follow the track round to the right and the orange waymark posts past All Saints Church adjacent to Santon House. The little church is now redundant but usually open for visitors, quite a cool refreshing stop when walking on a hot day. Built from ruins in 1628 by Thomas Bancroft, it was enlarged and restored in1858 by William Weller-Poley and reckoned to be one of the smallest churches in England. Follow the paths through St Helens Picnic Site, turning left away from the railway to a wooden footbridge over the River Little Ouse and back into Suffolk. Walk along the path between fences across a section of paddock and back into the trees. The path turns right and then left and then right again on a narrow route through the trees. At the end of this section where the path emerges from the trees turn right and then left along a track to eventually reach the road. Turn right to pass the 30 m.p.h. signs, St Mary the Virgin Church, known as the Church in the Forest and the turning for the Forest District Office. A church has been recorded here since the Domesday Survey and parts can be dated between 1086 and 1200. However the tower has been dated from old records to the latter part of the 15th century, between 1460 and 1503. Just after the junction bear off right by a large beech tree, following the narrow path through the trees to reach a road. Turn right to return to the start of the walk at the car park. InformationLocation: Santon Downham is 23 miles north west of Bury St. Edmunds,4 miles north east of ThetfordStart: Santon Downham Forest District Office car park Ordnance Survey map reference TL 816878 Length: 4 miles (short cuts available) Conditions: Road, forest track and woodland paths, no stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport TraveLine - 0870 6082608 Road Route: From A14 at Bury St.Edmunds on B1106 to Brandon, at 30 m.p.h. signs turn right on Green Road to Thetford Road, turn left and then sharp right to Santon Downham. Turn left at Santon Downham church and follow signs to Forest District Office car park Car Parking: Free Refreshments: Santon Downham Post Office or local pubs and shops in Brandon Toilets: At the Forest District Office car park and St Helens Picnic Site (summer only) Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 229 Thetford Forest in the Brecks Information Leaflets and information available from Forest District Office during office hours (9am to 4.30 pm) or from High Lodge Forest Centre tel. 01842 815434 (open all year 9 am to 5pm or 6pm in summer)
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