Melford Common
Melford Common is common land overseen by Thetford Town Council.
It is made up of the upper and lower common, which are large, grassed areas, the upper area runs along Melford Bridge Road, with the lower area sitting adjacent to Castle Park.
Melford Common is used by the public for recreational purposes and family activities. The area is also available for event hire, often hosting a twice-yearly travelling funfair.
Castle Park
Thetford’s Castle Park located just off Castle Street is a public site, open year round, it houses outdoor gym equipment as well as an enclosed play area for younger residents and a larger open play area suitable for older children up to early teens. In the centre of the park there are the remains of a large mound and surrounding ramparts, known as Castle Hill, which is the largest known earthworks of its kind in East Anglia.
Standing at approximately 25m high, Castle Hill is one of Thetford’s most well-known landmarks. Believed to have been formed from an old Iron Age hill fort the mound signifies its historical importance as a direct link to Thetford’s past. At the time of the Domesday Survey, Thetford was listed as the sixth largest town in the country, with the hill forming a central part.
The town would have had a medieval market serving the residents, within the bailey, which would have been located in the area now known as Old Market Street, before its relocation to the current market site in 1786. The Council works with Historic England to manage the site. Grazing is being reintroduced to the area as a way to maintain the land in an environmentally friendly and sustainable method which will aid the protection of the site for future generations.
Barnham Cross Common
Barnham Cross Common is managed by Thetford Town Council. It is used for outdoor recreational activities by members of the public as well as some areas being fenced off for grazing.
Barnham Cross Common is a listed SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), Identified as one of the best examples of Breckland grass heaths, it includes calcareous, acid and fixed dune grassland.
These habitats support a range of animals and plants including several rare or scarce species, the area is currently being grazed by cattle and sheep on a rotational basis to help to support the maintenance of the area, whilst enhancing the biodiversity. At present the Common areas are divided up into fenced off grazing areas and open public grassed areas.
Ford Meadow
Ford Meadow is an area of land, located east of The Nun’s Bridges in Thetford. It is owned and maintained by Thetford Town Council.
The area has been fenced off to allow for grazing, previously housing Water Buffalo and sheep in the winter seasons as part of the Town Council’s work with conservation schemes. In the spring and summer months, grazing animals are moved off the area, to allow regrowth of wildflowers.
The Meadow is accessible by foot, with kissing gates installed at the entrances. The Sean Ready Memorial Fish Pass is accessible through Ford Meadow.
The Fish Pass was built in collaboration with the Environment Agency. The pass was built to formalise the breach between the River Thet and the Little Ouse.
