Thetford Warren Lodge – Santon Downham Bridge loop from Brandon

Hiking trails & Routes

Weeting-With-Broomhill

Thetford Warren Lodge – Santon Downham Bridge loop from Brandon

Hard

4.1

(11)

hikers

Thetford Warren Lodge – Santon Downham Bridge loop from Brandon

06:49

26.5km

130m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 31, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.00 km

High Lodge Visitor Centre & Café, Thetford Forest

Highlight • Forest

Coffee, cake, lunches and maps of the trails all available here.

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8.81 km

Thetford Warren Lodge is an example of a rabbit warrener’s lodge, a bygone local industry of which little remains. The lodge was likely built by the monks of Thetford Priory in the late 13th century. It would have been at the centre of a huge warren where rabbits would be farmed. In the medieval period, rabbit meat was a banquet staple and rabbit fur was used to line the clothing of nobility. A highly lucrative trade, the lodge was built with thick walls to protect the warrener and the contents of the lodge from poachers. Interestingly, rabbits were still farmed here until the early 20th century.

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12.7 km

Little Ouse Path, Thetford

Highlight • Forest

The Little Ouse Path follows the banks of the river for about 9 miles (14.5 km) between Thetford and Brandon. Following the river means it's quite level and reasonably well surfaced throughout. The route walks through reedbeds, heathland and forest with a fascinating variety of fauna and flora throughout the year.

Rail and bus links between the two towns means that this trail can be enjoyed in one direction relatively easily.

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17.9 km

Little Ouse Footbridge

Highlight • Bridge

A wooden footbridge across the Little Ouse. It's built on the site of the old Coxton Staunch, a lock or water control gate that was used to help control water levels and flow.

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19.2 km

Stone Bridge Over Stream

Highlight • Bridge

In the bottom of the pit

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19.3 km

St. Helen's Church and Holy Well, Saunton

Highlight • Historical Site

Just of the main fire track

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21.2 km

Santon Warren

Nature Reserve

21.8 km

Santon Downham Bridge

Highlight • Trail

Santon Downham bridge was built around the start of the First World War by the Canadian army, although a bridge has been on this site since at least the 17th Century. Originally it carried a 3ft gauge railway.

The diamond pattern ironwork makes for an attractive crossing over the Little Ouse River. Plans were drawn up to replace it in the 1990's, but were opposed by locals, who liked it just the way it is.

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