Glade
← Back🌲 Conifer forest

Big Plantation

34 ha

📷 Helen Steed · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsForaging
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome34 ha

Getting here

52.70892, 1.18782

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Free

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Shoveler, Wigeon, Kestrel +75 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Shoveler, Wigeon, Kestrel +75 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Plants — Pedunculate Oak, Hawthorn, Smooth Hawk's-beard +17 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Seasonal nature

Plants — Hoary Mullein, Great Willowherb, Cock's-foot +176 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Hoary Mullein, Great Willowherb, Cock's-foot +176 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Cycling

Named cycling route nearby: NCN National Route 1

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 12 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Marriott's WayWalking route42 km

Norwich to Aylsham via Reepham on disused railway

Named routeRef MWLength 42 kmRegional walking route
Winch's WayWalking route
Named route
Wensum WayWalking route19 km
Named routeLength 19 kmLocal walking route
Costessey CircularWalking route5.5 km
Named routeLength 5.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Walsingham WayWalking route61 km
Named routeLength 61 kmPoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Chapel Lanepublic footpath · 171 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 171 mPath type: track
🚴

Cycling

33 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Purple PedalwayCycling route
Named routeRef PurpleRound tripLocal cycle route
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Themelthorpe Cycle LoopCycling route13.5 km
Named routeLength 13.5 kmRound tripLocal cycle route
EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 2Cycling route

Norwich - Lincoln

Named routeRef EV12International cycle route
Main RouteCycling route44 m
Named routeRef 1Length 44 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
N/ACycling route52 m
Named routeLength 52 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths
Sandy Lanerestricted byway · 853 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 853 mSurface dirtPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Road through Gilham's Heath Plantation

📷 Helen Steed · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Road through Gilham's Heath Plantation

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱The GreenUrban park4.3 km→🌱Taverham ParkUrban park3 km→🌱'The Castle' parkUrban park5 km→🌱Broadland Country ParkUrban park2.5 km→⛪St Margaret's ChurchReligious grounds4.2 km→✦Round barrow N of Sandy LaneHistoric site500 m→

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