Where to go · Suffolk
Forest bathing at Rendlesham Forest
A large coastal forest near Woodbridge, mixing forest, heath and wetland, with an accessible trail from the Tangham centre.
Rendlesham Forest lies east of Woodbridge in the Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape, and is run by Forestry England. Its trails pass through forest, open heathland and wetland, and it is best known for the UFO sighting of December 1980 near the old RAF Woodbridge airfield, which the forest's three-mile UFO trail marks with sculptures and information. Away from that story, it is a big, open forest with plenty of room to walk at your own pace.
Most people start at Tangham, where the car park, café, toilets, picnic area, play area and pond are. The new Discovery Trail is an accessible route from here, and the Room on the Broom trail is aimed at families, so the area near the centre can be lively in holidays. For quiet, walk out towards the upper forest and the edge of the old airfield, or come early. Cyclists mostly use the FIDO trail at the northern end of the forest. There are no litter bins, so take everything home with you.
Practical
- Managed by
- Forestry England
- Parking
- Pay car park at Tangham (card or app only); Forestry England and Rendlesham members park free; 5 accessible spaces
- Terrain
- Forest and heath trails; accessible Discovery Trail
- Nearest station
- Melton, about 15 minutes by car
- Facilities
- Toilets including an accessible toilet, café, picnic area, play area
- Opening and entry
- Open dawn to dusk every day except Christmas Day; free entry
- Official page
- forestryengland.uk
Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.
Guides who run sessions here
No guides listed at Rendlesham Forest yet
See forest bathing guides in Suffolk, who may run sessions nearby. If you guide here, list your practice for free and add Rendlesham Forest to your venues.
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