Thetford Forest

Thetford Forest is a modern state-planned pine forest, that was initially planted between 1919 and 1938. Most of the soils of Breckland have only marginal agricultural value, which enabled the Forestry Commission to buy up vast areas and estates in the area, during a period of low land prices. At first the plantings consisted mainly of scots pine, but this species has been largely replaced by the corsican pine. An example of 20th century state-planned landscaping, the forest was planted in regimental blocks of square compartments. However, as these photographs illustrate, earlier boundaries including those of fields, tree belts, and warren banks, were often integrated into the new landscape.

Many ancient earthworks, that had previously escaped the plough, were often frozen and protected under the pine needles and dense tree cover. Recent earthwork surveys carried out out by the Suffolk and Norfolk Archaeological Services have recorded many previously undetected earthworks including warren boundary banks, sheep enclosure banks, and Bronze Age round barrows.

Thetford Forest was created as a timber resource, but today its functions also include conservation and public recreation. It is the largest lowland pine forest in England and Wales, covering 22,000 hectares. Recreation activities in the Forest include mountain/BMX cycling, husky racing, sponsored walks, picnicing, bird-watching, horse and pony riding.