High Lodge Forest Centre, Brandon

High Lodge Forest Centre lies within the depths of Thetford Forest. I took along my two boys, aged 5 and 8 and spent a glorious afternoon exploring and playing. The forest centre combines convenience with the sense of 'getting away from it all'. Set back from the main road, the location is very quiet and peaceful, and giant pine trees spread out as far as you can see. Parking (1.90 an hour) is easy, with payment on return by either card or cash. The lodge provides adequate toilet and baby changing facilities, along with a cafe and a gift shop, from which you can purchase maps of the forest trails. Bike hire is available and includes tag-a-longs, trailers and helmets. Go Ape tree top adventure is based here also, great for older children (over 1.4m tall). There are plenty of walking trails ranging from between 1 and 6 miles long. We opted for the adventure trail, popular with young children, where forest walking is cleverly combined with the placement of impressive play structures, each one representing forest life in some way. Next to the lodge is a large grassy area ideal for picnics or bbq's (yes, you can). The centre is open throughout the year and is a perfect place to go when you crave the great outdoors.

We visited High Lodge last summer when we met up with 3 other families, and had a fantastic day with 6 adults and 10 children age 2-13yrs! We took picnics and spent the day wondering through the different areas of the park and stopping to play and rest whenever needed. The children occupied themselves in the many play areas and we returned home happy and exhausted! There is a very busy cafeteria, and good facilities. Some of our children had bikes and scooters, but you can hire bikes for the whole family if needed (this can be quite expensive!). For those who are old enough and tall enough, there is Go-Ape (extra cost), but we found that there was enough to keep all of the children happy all day without this. Plenty of shade in the forest when the sun got too hot, and plenty of open space for ball games. We'll be going back this summer!

This has to be my teenagers’ favourite place, not because of the forest but because of ‘Go Ape’. Go Ape is a High Wire assault course in the trees and the entrance is located beside the High Lodge Visitor centre. This is quite an expensive activity, especially if you have several children, but it is one activity they will talk about for years. The important thing to remember is that under 18’s must have an adult with them. 2 children per adult maximum: so you must take people with you who want to do this too or climb the course with your children. It takes around 3-4 hours and is amazing; my children love it. My daughter who was then 12 hated heights as did my husband and we told the staff this. They agreed to help them both around the course and although my husband and daughter completed the course slowly they did manage it. My other teenagers liked the scariest Tarzan jump best. You have to jump off a tower and free fall until the rope takes up the slack and you swing across to a vertical net. It is frightening but fun! The zip wires are exhilarating and voted by my children as brilliant. Safety training is given before you start the course and you must wear a harness. The instructors are brilliant and very child friendly; they constantly shout encouragement and help in any way they can. If your children like thrill’s Go Ape and the High Lodge Forest Centre is a must.