Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail Walk
Suffolk
Rendlesham Forest is a Forestry England pine and broadleaf plantation near Woodbridge, part of the Sandlings heath and forest belt behind the Suffolk coast, and best known for a series of reported UFO sightings by US airmen from the nearby air bases in December 1980, its wide tracks and lack of livestock giving a dog real freedom off the lead. This circuit of around 4.5km from the Tangham visitor centre follows the waymarked UFO trail through the forest to the small clearing where the sightings are said to have taken place, marked with a low marker post, before looping back on the wider forest tracks. The going is easy and flat, on well made gravel and sandy forest tracks with occasional tree roots underfoot.
This is a dog friendly walk, and dogs are allowed throughout the forest. The wide forest tracks give a dog plenty of room to walk and there is no livestock to worry about, so a dog with reasonable recall can enjoy real freedom away from the main routes. The pine woodland gives good shade for summer visits, though there is no natural water on this walk, so carry some for a dog. There are no public litter bins in the forest, so visitors are asked to take all litter, including dog waste, home with them. The cafe at the visitor centre has outdoor seating, and toilets are on site. The car park charges for parking.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Forest
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe with outdoor seating and toilets at the Tangham visitor centre; no litter bins in the forest.
- Parking
- Pay car park (card only) at the Tangham visitor centre.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in SuffolkFrequently Asked Questions
Is Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail Walk dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout Rendlesham Forest and the UFO Trail Walk has a dog friendly rating of 8/10. The wide, well-made gravel and sandy tracks give dogs plenty of room, and the complete absence of livestock makes it a relaxed outing for most dogs. The cafe at the Tangham visitor centre also has outdoor seating, so you can stop for a coffee without leaving your dog behind.
Can dogs be off lead at Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail Walk?
Dogs with reasonable recall can enjoy real off-lead freedom here, particularly away from the main routes. There is no livestock in the forest, and the wide forest tracks give dogs plenty of space to roam without the usual pressures of a busier trail. It's one of the more relaxed spots in Suffolk for a dog to stretch their legs properly.
What should I know before visiting Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail Walk with my dog?
There is no natural water source along the trail, so bring enough water for your dog, especially on warmer days — the pine woodland does offer good shade in summer. There are no public litter bins in the forest, so you'll need to take all dog waste home with you. Parking at the Tangham visitor centre is a pay car park (card only), and toilets are available on site.
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