3.3/5)Dunwich Forest is a mixture of coniferous and broadleaved woodland and is accessible from Dunwich village and is a part of the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Walking
The forest links into some wonderful conservation areas of marshland and wetland and is great for walkers. North Dunwich Forest has a circular walk. Park either in the Newdelight Walks Car Park or the Hog's Grove Car Park and follow the waymarked trail.
Horse riding
Horse riders are welcome in the forest. Please be aware that husky training takes place within the northern part of the forest before 10:30am and after 16:00.
Harvesting Operations
There are currently no harvesting operations taking place.
Dunwich Rewilding Project
Dunwich Forest is currently undergoing a process of 'rewilding' with a long term plan to recreate and regenerate the natural landscape that existed prior to the conifer plantations.
The managment of the forest is now a partnership between the Forestry Commission, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and RSBP, with the more northern area being managed by SWT.
The heathland habitat to the south is being managed by the RSPB. The area covered by heathland will increase as conifer crops are gradually harvested and areas of deciduous trees are allowed to revert to heather.
Lowland heath is one of the rarest of all Britain's wildlife habitats and is vital to the survival of many rare species of birds, reptiles and butterflies.
What do other visitors say?
what an absolute disgrace , 22/Dec/20171 Star
I have been photographing these trees for years...now, they have gone, just stumps and debris left. I won't be going there anymore, it's just a very sorry sight.
Perhaps it would have been better if you concentrated on trying to stop all the shot gun noise from hunters !
You have disgusted me, what happened to all the cut down trees that you had piled up everywhere ? How much profit did you make selling them off ?
Dunwich was once a beautiful, peaceful place, now ruined.
Forestry Commission ResponseThe Forestry Commission’s landholding sits in the part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB, much of which is either SSSI or County Wildlife Site and in the middle of the Blyth to Alde Landscape partnership. Before being acquired and planted with its current crop of pines in the 1950’s it was a mosaic of heaths and other areas of high conservation and as such is being reverted back to heathland and broadleaf woodland. It is managed to an agreed management plan with other partners; trees are felled for heathland management and to promote habitat for schedule 1 birds. Not all timber is taken off site as it creates valuable habitat for invertebrates. However, timber that is sustainably produced goes toward managing the site for wildlife and public access.
martin, 31/Oct/2017Hi,
We are looking to visit this coming weekend, and will have an older gentleman who has is impaired physically re walking. Are we allowed to bring his motorised vehicle, which is capable of driving on the forestry tracks?
Forestry Commission ResponseUnauthorized vehicles are not permitted in the forest. Mobility scooters are allowed but would need to cope with grassy forest rides and bumpy trails. Some mobility scooters (such as Trampers) can cope with rough terrain but you would need to check the specification for any you use or own. Rendlesham Forest may be a better place to visit as it has more facilities on site and has a bike trail using the wide forest rides that may be better to use with a mobility scooter. For enquiries needing a swift response please contact the Recreation Ranger on 0300 067 4965 rather than use the web page enquiry box. We hope to see you out enjoying the forest.
Scott, 9/Oct/2017Dear Sir/Madam,
Firstly, thank you for the hard work that your organisation does, not only in Dunwich, but all over the UK.
My question is a simple one; do you allow camping in the woods? I mean solo camping, not groups of people?
Regards,
Scott
Forestry Commission ResponseThank you for your positive comment. To answer your question I'm afraid camping is not allowed anywhere on Forestry Commission land with the exception of dedicated camp sites.
Please tell us about your visit
Please email us at alice.greenacre@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry, a complaint or would like a personal reply to your comments.