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Wildlife at Rishbeth Wood Thetford Forest Park
East Anglia
England
Thetford is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: TL 841 841
 Rishbeth Wood is an interesting mixture of Pine, Oak, Beech and Larch. It is particularly attractive in autumn and is a good fungi hunting area.
On the approach to the wood you cross a sandy heathland and pass by the Thetford Warren Lodge which dates from 1400.The Warren Lodge was built by the Prior of Thetford for his warrener at a time when rabbit farming was very important in Breckland. The rabbits were farmed both for fur and for meat. During the 1850s it was a lucrative business with over 30,000 carcasses a year being sent to market in London. The last rabbit farms disappeared from the area in the 1950s. The lodge functioned as both house and fortress as theft by marauding gangs of poachers was common.
The rabbit skins were used locally in Brandon for clothing and hat trimming.
Mammals: Red, Roe and Fallow deer are possible in this area. We have information about Red deer, Roe deer and Fallow deer
Birds: Woodlark and Nightjar occur on most of the recent clearfelled areas. Crossbill and Siskin are in regular appearance. We have information about Nightjar and Woodlark
Insects and reptiles: The High Lodge area around Rishbeth Wood is particularly good for adders. We have information about Adder Habitats: The mixed woodland habitat was a wide range of fungi. Please follow the Fungi Code of Conduct.
How to get there:
From Thetford, take the B1107 towards Brandon.
Rishbeth Wood is approximately one mile along this road on the left hand side.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)
Facilities:
 
Activities
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The Red walk is 3.5 miles long. A guide map showing 26 trails around the forest is available for £2 from High Lodge Forest Centre or from the Forest Office at Santon Downham Office hours only). |
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Thetford Warren Lodge was built around 1400 by the Prior of Thetford for his warrener. Intended to protect the Prior's rabbits from gangs of poachers |
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Other places to go in Thetford Forest Park
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
Great Hockham
Santon Downham
Two Mile Bottom
Shouldham Warren
Contact:
Recreation Rangers
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What's of interest
Fungi.
What else is here
Useful sites
Find out more
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