Glade
← Back🌱 Urban park

The Willows Open Space

23 ha

📷 Bill Boaden · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifePlay
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome23 ha

Getting here

52.41424, 0.76748

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦64+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Robin
  • ☀️Summer family visits work well here — arrive early and plan for a longer stay
  • 🛝Playground on site — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

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

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Jackdaw +61 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Jackdaw +61 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

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

Free

Playgrounds

playground

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Early Sand-grass, Greater Celandine, Dove's-foot Crane's-bill +16 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Early Sand-grass, Greater Celandine, Dove's-foot Crane's-bill +16 more · last seen 2026

Free

Family friendly

playground; Urban park — family destination

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

22 signed routes nearby · 5 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Icknield Way PathWalking route169 km

long distance footpath 169 km

Named routeLength 169 kmRegional walking route
Hereward WayWalking route
Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Thetford Architecture TrailWalking route2.5 km
Named routeLength 2.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route
East Wretham Heath White RouteWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
East Wretham Heath Green RouteWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Green Lanepublic footpath · 388 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 388 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
🚴

Cycling

36 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Thetford Cycle LoopCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Two Rivers Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef 30Regional cycle route
Rebellion WayCycling route373 km
Named routeRef RebelLength 373 kmRound tripRegional cycle route
Wolf WayCycling route400 km
Named routeRef Wolf WayLength 400 kmRound tripLocal cycle route
Regional Cycle Route 30Cycling route373 km
Named routeRef 30Length 373 kmRound tripRegional cycle route
Route 13Cycling route
Named routeRef 13National Cycle Network
🚵

Mountain biking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Beater TrailMountain bike route
Named route
Icknield Way Cycle TrailMountain bike route226 km

This is the off-road or mountain cycling route of the Icknield Way Trail.

Named routeLength 226 kmRegional cycle route
Peddars Way Cycle RouteMountain bike route83.6 km

The Peddars Way with suggested detours to avoid footpath-only sections.

Named routeLength 83.6 kmNational Cycle Network

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Path on the edge of Thetford

📷 Bill Boaden · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Path on the edge of Thetford

1 / 22

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Castle ParkUrban park900 m→🌱Melford CommonUrban park600 m→🌱Upper Melford CommonUrban park700 m→🌱Castle MeadowUrban park900 m→🌱Thetford's Forgotten GardenUrban park1 km→✦Melford BridgeHistoric site500 m→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: ab8cdd80-c3cd-4a39-8f85-39871e51b1ee