Welcome to Forest Heath, a district with a fantastic variety
of landscapes, from the chalk downlands of Newmarket, through to
the rich agricultural fenlands in the west, and the sandy
brecklands in the north with its large lowland forest.
For information on the area, accommodation, ideas for days out, and
places to eat, you can either use the links below, or to the left
hand side, or, alternatively you can download a copy of our
2010 West Suffolk Visitor
Guide
For information on economic and tourism
development or to access a copy of the Economic Development
stratagy click Business
Information.
The district has three market towns: Newmarket, Brandon and
Mildenhall.
The largest town in the district, Newmarket, is the international
home of horseracing and attracts visitors from all over the
world. While they may initially come to Newmarket for the
horses and racing, they discover that Newmarket has much to offer
both new and returning visitors. With magnificent buildings,
wonderful views and excellent location (with historic
Cambridge and Ely on the doorstep), it is the perfect location from
which to explore this region.
Brandon, the gateway to the Brecks, has a long and fascinating
history dating back to prehistoric times. Brandon Country
Park boasts 30 acres of space to enjoy, including a delightful
walled garden, forest walks, picnic area and visitor centre.
Mountain biking is very popular in this area and there are trails
both in the country park and High Lodge Forest Centre just a short
distance down the road.
St Mary's Church and the Market Pump sit in the heart of
Mildenhall. St Mary's Church was rebuilt in the 15th century yet
retains many features dating back to the 12th and 13th
centuries. The parish of Mildenhall is one of the largest in
Suffolk and the town boasts a rich history remembered in the
Mildenhall Museum. Here, you can see a replica of the
Mildenhall treasure and learn about the great Mildenhall
to Melbourne air race. RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath are
still operational as part of the United States Air Force presence
in Europe.
For more information on the different towns within Forest Heath,
please click on the 'In and Around ' tabs to the left of this
page.
As well as the three market towns, Forest Heath also consists of 22
villages. Scattered around the outskirts of the towns, and linking
the three main centres together, the villages are well worth
visiting and many have local pubs and shops for you to call in
at.
As you pass through each you will experience the changing
landscapes around you; fen, heath, chalk and downlands, from the
flat, panoramic views over dark peat fields, to rolling
countryside, and woodland areas covered in wildflowers - you will
discover magical, isolated places, known only to a lucky few!
As you journey through the district,
our
Where to Eat list
shows you a variety of different eating establishments
throughout the district - many are located in the picturesque
villages you will pass through, but if you are following an
itinerary it is advisable to phone ahead and check the menus and
cooking times!
Please note
All of the information on the tourism web pages has been produced
from information supplied by staff and local establishments.
Therefore it is not a complete list and does not imply
recommendation or approval. We have tried to ensure all information
is as accurate as possible, but you are advised to check details
before
travelling.