Start of walk: St Helens picnic site car park, TL 826 874. Nearest postcode is IP27 0TT.  click here for map.

Car parking: As above.

Take A11 to the roundabout approx. 2 miles west of Thetford town centre. Turn left on the B1107 towards Brandon. After approx. 2.5 miles, turn right on the minor road towards Santon Downham. After a further mile, just beyond the church on the right (obscured by the trees), fork right into the centre of Santon Downham. About 200m beyond the Forest Offices car park, cross the bridge over the Little Ouse. After 100m and before you reach the level crossing, turn right along a narrow metalled road and follow this for 0.5 mile to the St Helen’s car park. N.B the public conveniences are closed.

Mileage: 12 (8.3 + 3.7).

Lunch: The Ram Hotel, Brandon (a town local) where there is a good range of food at a reasonable price.

Leader’s contact details: David’s mobile number is 07485 409179. Please include YES PUB or NO PUB in your text.

General information: From Santon House, we wind our way northwards through the forest on broad sandy tracks to Grimes Graves and a brief coffee stop. We continue along the edges of the forest in mixed woodlands towards Weeting Castle., then a drove road into Brandon. After lunch, we follow the Hereward Way along the Little Ouse Valley, making a final loop through the forest to return to our starting point.

Additional information:

Please text the leader if you plan to come. Please remember to give your name as part of the text! Your details will be kept by the leader for 7 days so that participants may be contacted if it is necessary due to a positive COVID test.

No one should come on the walk if they feel unwell.

Car sharing is always encouraged if it is possible and if one feels comfortable doing it.