Woodland glamping near Ely

Thetford Forest (together with The King’s Forest to its south) spills over the flat heathland of North Suffolk and South Norfolk, 18 miles east of Ely. Here are well-maintained hiking and biking routes, including the Icknield Way, supposedly Britain’s oldest road. There are also prehistoric sites like Grime’s Graves flint mine (in the forest’s north). Thetford Forest’s northern edge, above Ickborough, contains two good campsites.

Divided from Thetford Forest only by a brief break of farmland, the King’s Forest is another arboreal wonderland. The long-distance Icknield Way trail passes through, while a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village sits by West Stow Country Park in the south. Check out the trio of excellent camping possibilities toward the forest’s south, which is bounded by the delightful River Lark.

The River Lark meanders to Isleham from its confluence with the Great River Ouse before continuing upstream to Bury St Edmunds and beyond. Navigable for about 10 miles until Jude’s Ferry between Isleham’s marina and Mildenhall, the waterway sees plenty of pleasure boaters. Footpaths flank the river as far as Mildenhall, and there are several waterside campsites nearby.