hereward way edmunds santon downham suffolk

navigate by keyword : wildlife walking village views united undefined tranquil trails trackways thetford temporary suffolk storms soil sheep scenic scenery santon sand rural river retreat reserve regular recreation rabbits prehistoric plants peaceful paths path outdoor norfolk nibbling nature natural mysterious meres mark lowland local life lane landscape lakes kings kingdom historic heaths heathland heath heart habitat greenery forest fields farmers explore exhausted england east downham created countryside centuries britain brecks breckland brandon hereward edmunds

Hereward Way, St Edmunds Way , Santon Downham Suffolk Royalty Free Stock Photo

Hereward Way, St Edmunds Way , Santon Downham Suffolk

The Brecks spans an area of 393 sq. miles 1019 sq. kilometres across Norfolk and Suffolk, in the heart of The East of England. As one of the driest parts of Britain the large skies are often blue. Thetford Forest and Kings Forest, collectively the largest lowland forest in the UK, have miles of tranquil trackways and paths to explore.Ancient heathland once covered huge areas of the Brecks, created by the axes of prehistoric farmers and the nibbling teeth of sheep and rabbits. 'Brecks' were temporary fields cultivated for a few years and then allowed to revert to heath one the soil became exhausted. Sand storms were once a regular occurrence, such as the one which engulfed the village of Santon Downham in 1668. Through many centuries the heaths, and the mysterious fluctuating Breckland lakes known as meres, became home to a distinctive range of plants and animals.