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Wildlife at Great Hockham Thetford Forest Park
East Anglia
England
Great Hockham is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: TL 938 921
 In the eastern area of the Brecklands, drier sandy soils are replaced by clays. Here, during the last Ice Age, retreating glaciers left damp hummocks and hollows, distinctive features of the landscape which are known as pingos.
The northern part of the wood connects, through Cranberry Rough ( an area of important wildlife value ) into the Great Eastern Pingo Trail.
Birds: Woodlark and Nightjar occur on most of the clear felled areas. The scrub areas are good for breeding summer migrants. Crossbill and Siskin can be found in the older pines and Alder. We have information about Nightjar and Woodlark
Insects and reptiles: The picnic site provides easy access to the Pingo Trail that runs through the Forest and across Thompson Common Nature Reserve. Thomson Common and much of the forest area is very wet. The walk is very good for Dragonflies in July and August. Grass snakes can be found in the wetter areas. Habitats: The forest includes a large area of the Cranberry Rough SSSI. This area of fen, marsh and wet woodland should not be accessed alone as the boggy areas are unpredictable and deep.
How to get there:
Take the A1075 Thetford to Watton road.
Great Hockham picnic site is on the left hand side.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)
Facilities:
Activities
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There are two way-marked routes the yellow walk (2.25miles) and the green walk (1.25miles). A guide map showing 26 trails around the forest is available for £2 from High Lodge Forest Centre or from the Forest District Office at Santon Downham |
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Corsican pine plantations blend with mature oak stands rich in insect and birdlife. In Summer, look out for dragonflies - over 12 species including the approprately named Scarce Emerald. |
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Other places to go in Thetford Forest Park
Rishbeth Wood
The Kings Forest
High Lodge Forest Centre
West Stow
High Ash
Thorpe Woodlands
Lynford Arboretum and Lakes
Lynford Stag
Mayday
High Lodge Forest Centre Christmas Tree Sales
Cranberry Rough
St Helens
Santon Downham
Two Mile Bottom
Shouldham Warren
Contact:
Recreation Rangers
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What's of interest
Dragonflies
What to see now Crossbill Siskin
Did you know Cranberry Rough was named after the plant, and a small patch still survives there today! The Peddars Way, the old Roman road connecting the North Norfolk coast with the heart of East Anglia, offers scope for the more adventurous walker and can be picked up from this site.
What else is here
Useful sites
Find out more
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