Wild camping.. Thet...
 

[Closed] Wild camping.. Thetford Forest area..

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Hey guys/gals.
If I'm really quiet, leave no trace and blend in, arrive late and leave early...
Will anyone know, will I get eaten by bears or shot by some over keen ranger?

I'm planning a bike pack trip and Thetford Forest is on the route.

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 11:44 am
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There's the Thetford Forest Axe Murderers group on FB, maybe you could ask there?

Slightly more seriously, if you can't see house lights then it's unlikely you'll be seen and provided you don't pitch up on a path it's doubtful anyone will know you've been there. Maybe an early morning dog walker if you're unlucky. It's surprising just where you can wild camp and not be seen.

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 11:53 am
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I doubt anyone will care.

Just riding the trails I’ve seen a small encampment of east Europeans living in there, plus a handful of families camping out with the kids. There’s always the occasional middle aged couple shagging in the bushes too.

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 11:53 am
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@Junglistjut.
I will be hoping to avoid all of the above.! I'll spend the evening riding the trails to hunt out a good spot to be sure of a peaceful night.
@whitestone.
Gotcha! I thought that would be case. This is my first bike pack trip and have always camped on private land in the past so slightly nervous about new areas and the reaction of local folk.

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 12:09 pm
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@thelocals..
Where would be the most suitable general location.?
West side of the CentreParks road?
The East side of the road is where the MTB trails and rifle range are so will avoid that.
North of Brandon towards Mundford?

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 12:25 pm
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I've slept in the Teepees in the climbing frame area in High Lodge. The disabled loos are open all night as well. Not far from a 24hr McDonald's too.

The Mayday meadow area is OK as well. I did get woken up on a snowy morning by the Husky crowd.

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 12:39 pm
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If you went riding on the Stanton Downham side I reckon there are loads of places no one would ever find you.
a lot of it is pretty dense tree growth and there isn't a lot of housing that side at all

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 12:41 pm
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'Wild camping'

I’ve slept in the Teepees in the climbing frame area in High Lodge. The disabled loos are open all night as well. Not far from a 24hr McDonald’s too.

Words used to mean things! 😉

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 1:29 pm
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Malvern Rider

‘Wild camping’

Words used to mean things!

I know.

When I was a lad, that used to mean 3 lasses, me, a bottle of homegrown whisky, and one tent... 🙂

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 2:57 pm
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^ Now I have the Benny Hill tune as an earworm!

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 3:25 pm
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Just remember to check your pods for ticks on awaking.

(Also hair line, ears etc. etc.)

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 5:00 pm
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Id probably go south west of mundford, though theres many good spots elsewhere, and stay away from thetford

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 7:12 pm
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Malvern Rider

Now I have the Benny Hill tune as an earworm!

Well it was the Sixties.  🙂

 
Posted : 11/06/2019 10:35 pm
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I've been chatting to a mate about it, he knows Thetford pretty well and has advised on some no go areas, and the risk of bumping into:

Doggers
Motocrossers
Eastern European camps
Dead Eastern Europeans
Ticks

Maybe Thetford is starting to sound like a bad idea.

 
Posted : 12/06/2019 2:53 pm
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I was there last Saturday night from 18.30 to 20.30ish. I didn't see anyone, at all, it had been raining but there was no one in sight so I'd say you'd be fine.

Brandon side would be my choice. Plus there's some good single track over there.

I've been told about people living in the woods but I've never actually seen them!

 
Posted : 12/06/2019 8:16 pm