Rendlesham Forest - Woodbridge

Address: Tangham, Woodbridge IP12 3NF, United Kingdom.
Phone: 3000674321.
Website: forestryengland.uk
Specialties: Park.
Other points of interest: Onsite services, Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Hiking, Picnic tables, Public restroom, Slides, Swings, Good for kids, Kid-friendly hikes, Playground, Dogs allowed.
Opinions: This company has 1158 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.6/5.

📌 Location of Rendlesham Forest

☎️3000674321

⏰ Open Hours of Rendlesham Forest

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Okay, here’s a comprehensive overview of Rendlesham Forest, presented in a formal and helpful manner, designed to inform potential visitors:

Rendlesham Forest: A Detailed Guide

Rendlesham Forest, located at Address: Tangham, Woodbridge IP12 3NF, United Kingdom, is a significant and remarkably popular recreational area managed by Forestry England. The phone number for inquiries is Phone: 3000674321, and the official website is Website: forestryengland.uk. It’s renowned for a multitude of reasons, most notably its intriguing connection to a well-documented 1980 incident involving purported UFO sightings, but it offers far more than just that singular event.

History and Significance

The forest itself is a substantial area of ancient woodland, primarily comprised of Scots pine and beech trees. However, its fame stems from the December 1980 events, when military personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge reported witnessing strange lights and encountering an object resembling a landed spacecraft. This incident, often referred to as the "Rendlesham Forest Incident," has fueled speculation and debate for decades, attracting researchers, paranormal enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike. While the official explanation attributes the sightings to flares and misidentification, the story’s enduring fascination has cemented Rendlesham Forest’s place in UFO lore.

Facilities and Amenities

Beyond its historical significance, Rendlesham Forest provides a truly enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. The Specialties: Park offers a wide array of facilities designed to cater to diverse needs. These include:

Onsite Services: Convenient services are available throughout the forest.
Accessibility: The site boasts a Wheelchair accessible entrance and Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring inclusivity for all.
Recreational Activities: Guests can enjoy Hiking trails, suitable for various skill levels, alongside designated Picnic tables for a relaxing outdoor meal.
Family-Friendly Features: There are Slides, Swings, and a large Playground, making it an ideal destination for families with children. Kid-friendly hikes are also readily available.
Restroom Facilities: Public restroom facilities are conveniently located.
Pet-Friendly Environment: Dogs allowed, adding to the appeal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Visitor Feedback & Reputation

Rendlesham Forest consistently receives positive feedback. As evidenced by the 1158 reviews on Google My Business, the Average opinion: 4.6/5 reflects a high level of satisfaction among visitors. The forest is frequently described as beautiful, and many appreciate the ease of the UFO trail – a straightforward route suitable for families and casual walkers. The combination of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and accessible amenities contributes significantly to its popularity.

Recommendation

For those seeking a captivating blend of natural beauty, historical curiosity, and family-friendly recreation, Rendlesham Forest presents an exceptional opportunity. We strongly encourage prospective visitors to explore the comprehensive information available on the Forestry England website: forestryengland.uk. To discuss specific needs or inquire about events, we recommend contacting Forestry England directly via the provided phone number.

Do you want me to elaborate on any specific aspect of Rendlesham Forest, such as the UFO incident or specific trail details

👍 Reviews of Rendlesham Forest

Sue S.

5/5

Visiting the area had to go and do the UFO trail, it's an easy trail to follow, very child friendly. We all had a great walk. Listening to birds and identifying them on an app.
The UFO was interesting just so sad that it's been graffitied.
The forest is beautiful

Kate S.

3/5

Rendlesham is a lovely forest. We visited in Autumn and the colours were lovely. The trails were coloured and seemed to vary in length. There was a playground for kids (we didn't visit as they were exhausted from the walk!)

The coffee hut was excellent and we all enjoyed warm drinks after our wander.

However there are a few down sides which do need to be mentioned.

1. There is no visitor centre just a board with some leaflets on. If you get the UFO trail one that doesn't have all the others on and so it can be tricky if you get lost!

2. The car park is chargeable. Even for disabled. There are toilets inc disabled ones so I can understand there needs to be a cost...however...the one machine was exceptionally slow and the Ring go app was advertised as another option...but there is no signal to do this!!

3. Disabled access. There is a small disabled trail which appears to be around the car park. That wasn't really to our liking so we tried the UFO trail...this was NOT disabled friendly. Loose sand, significant roots, puddles. Don't try this one on a mobility scooter or in a wheelchair. Luckily we had a group of us to help. The charges felt over the top for disabled when there is so little to be able to access. The trail could easily have been made disabled friendly as there was a lot of it which was friendly for a mobility scooter. Lastly there were NO benches. A huge oversight and meant one of our party struggled with the walk.

Peter F.

3/5

Went for a family cycle along the Tang cycle trail which is advertised as family friendly gentle cycle trail through the woods. In places it’s little more than what you would expect a restricted footpath to be - width no wider than a bike with vegetation impeding route. Other areas are wide trails but are thick in gravel and stones. Fortunately none of us came off but there were a few times when one of us had to quickly manoeuvre ourselves from falling off due to the stones. Didn’t see one bench or picnic area along the route we took (ended up taking the white short cut as decided to quit whilst we were ahead) National Trust cycle trails much more family friendly than this.

Brogan M.

5/5

Lovely forest for a day out with extensive trails, varying in their length. The UFO trail was the shorter of the 2 we did and had the most foot traffic. The Tang trail was quite long, gorgeous route and very quiet which was nice!
There are so many different paths and trails cutting through the forest, and you can easily slip onto the common and heathland nextdoor, definitely could end up walking for hours on end.

Playground for children, plenty of picnic tables, and an open space for kids to run around. Toilets were decent, just 3 total so may get busy during peak times. Coffee hut on site. Parking is card or RingGo, £5 ish for a whole day or £3 for 2 hours.

Staff are also very friendly and helpful, I can't thank the parking attendant enough who helped me when I got a flat tyre!

One of our new favourite spots for a long dog walk I think!

Mark W.

5/5

There's a good mix of trails to navigate through the woods. There are small, free car parks dotted around the edges of these woods, technically not in the forestry commission bits I think, but a central car park for £3 to £5. There is the parkrun here at 9am on a Saturday morning if you're feeling more energetic than a walk, or do both!

Rob G.

3/5

Car park is over priced for what is on offer. I went with my son for mtbing but the main trails are flat and lack interest and the bike park has been closed. We then went on to do the Viking trail at Tunstall woods which was much better.

andy M.

4/5

Rendlesham woods is a great place to visit for easy walks and rides, plus play areas for kids.

Michael Y.

5/5

Great walk in a lovely forest! Lots of route options. Plenty of parking. The UFO trail was interesting and only around 3 miles.