What to do and see in Thetford, England: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

May 16, 2022 Dorsey Hagwood

Thetford is a market town and civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. It is on the A11 road between Norwich and London, just south of Thetford Forest. After World War II Thetford became an ‘overspill town’ taking people from London, as a result of which its population increased substantially. The civil parish, covering an area of 29.55 km (11.41 sq mi), has a population of 24,340.
Restaurants in Thetford

1. Charles Burrell Museum

Minstergate, Thetford IP24 1BN England +44 1842 751166 [email protected] http://www.charlesburrellmuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 110 reviews

Charles Burrell Museum

Small, volunteer run Museum situated in Thetford, Norfolk. Situated in the old paint shop we tell the story of the firm 'Charles Burrell & Sons' which manufactured steam traction engines until the 1920s. We have on display a full sized Showmans Engine, Agricultural Engine plus a Roller along with many interesting displays.

Reviewed By mikesF4032LR - Thetford, United Kingdom

We had a lovely walk around and actually got to see a working steam engine in all its glory, which the staff had started up and placed at the side of the building. I treated myself to a lovely mug from the souvenir counter. All in all it was a reminder of the bygone age of Steam, and well worth a visit.

2. Combat Paintball Ltd

Thetford Forest Plot 2010, Thetford NR16 2RH England +44 845 260 4567 [email protected] http://www.combatpaintball.com
Excellent
82%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 163 reviews

Combat Paintball Ltd

We offer two premium, exciting, well organised and safe paintball venues in the idyllic surroundings of Thetford Forest.If you're planning a day out in East Anglia, our sites have a real "Film Set" feel to them, with Towers, Tunnels, Tanks, Helicopters, Forts and Trenches to provide the best Game Scenarios possible.We pride ourselves on taking great care of children (12+)and adults alike, and only use experienced adult marshalls and the latest equipment.

Reviewed By 429iana

Had an excellent afternoon with my son and his friends. Professional, well managed, great zones, and friendly staff. Can't recommend it enough.

3. Dad's Army Museum

Guildhall Cage Lane Back of the Guildhall, Thetford IP24 2DS England +44 7562 688641 [email protected] http://www.dadsarmythetford.org.uk
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 473 reviews

Dad's Army Museum

We aim to reopen on 29th May 2021, subject to Covid 19 Regulations and Government Guidelines. Our opening hours are Saturdays 10-15:00 (May-End Nov) We are a volunteer run organisation. For 9 years from 1968 Thetford, Norfolk became Walmington on Sea - home of Dad's Army. A guided location tour was launched in 2004 and proved so popular that a museum was founded in 2007. Housed in the Old Fire Station to the rear of the Guildhall - the building itself featured in several episodes as Walmington on Sea Town Hall - it is independently run by an enthusiastic platoon of volunteers. Over the years the museum has developed and expanded to include a 1940s inspired Marigold Tea Rooms. In 2010 a full size bronze statue of Captain Mainwaring was unveiled in the town by David Croft and in 2012 the original Jones's butcher's van returned home and is now residing with our good friends at Charles Burrell Museum, just a short walk away.

Reviewed By Harnser48 - Norfolk, United Kingdom

This attraction captures the feeling of Walmington on Sea.with Captain Mainwarings office and maybe the man himself if you sre lucky (his double actually) maybe even get your photo taken with him.There are exhibits from the tv series and a great little tea shop. Once you have had your tea and cske thrre is also a great gift shop

4. Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life

St. Nicholas House 21-23 White Hart Street, Thetford IP24 1AA England +44 1842 752599 [email protected] http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/ancient-house
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 85 reviews

Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life

The atmospheric crooked house tells the remarkable story of Thetford and the Brecks. Discover rich collections alongside audio guides, films and animations. Meet local people from Thetford's past, from the revolutionary philosopher Thomas Paine to the Sikh hero Maharajah Duleep Singh and from rabbit warreners to railway workers. Take time out in the re-planted garden and don't miss the brand new museum shop in its oak pavilion. Allow about an hour and a half for a visit.

Reviewed By Tigger445

We went primarily to see the house itself but found the museum to be very interesting. Lots of fascinating displays. Very good value for money. Anyone interested in the architecture and history of the building might find it helpful to print off the info from the 'what's here' section of their website to refer to as they walk around. It helped us to understand what we were seeing and we would have missed some of the architectural details altogether without the information.

5. Black Horse

64 Magdalen Street, Thetford IP24 2BP England +44 1842 762717 http://www.thisisnotaconspiracytheory.com
Excellent
73%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 127 reviews

Black Horse

Reviewed By debbiec468 - Mundford, United Kingdom

We booked the Anchor pod for Sunday lunch today to celebrate my husbands birthday, and so pleased we did! Pam and Terry are showing what pubs can and should be doing in these challenging times, and are doing an excellent job! COVID precautions spot on. Food was hot, tasty and great value for money, and the service couldn’t be faulted! The cabin we were in felt like a private dining room with lots of lovely touches. Well done Black Horse.....we will definitely be back.

6. Thetford Priory

Thetford England https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/thetford-priory/
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 134 reviews

Thetford Priory

Reviewed By samsS1598IF - Thetford, United Kingdom

The priory is a lovely place to visit with plenty of information about the history posted up in various places around the site and also a good place to sit down have a picnic and let the kids burn off some energy

7. The Desert Rat Memorial

High Ash, Thetford Forest, Thetford IP26 5BZ England +44 7768 728667 [email protected] http://www.desertrats.org.uk/assoc/index.htm
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

The Desert Rat Memorial

The memorial is dedicated to all who served in the 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats), the 4th Armoured Brigade (The Black Rats) and the 7th Armoured Brigade (The Green Jerboa), throughout history. In 1944 the men of 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats) arguably one of the most famous units in the British Army was based here and in the nearby countryside and towns, before they left to take part in the Normandy Campaign, landing late on 6 June 1944. These few months are the only time the Desert Rats were ever in the UK. The Memorial and main plaque inaugurated on the 23rd October 1998 by Field Marshal Lord Carver is located on the A1065 two miles north of Mundford, Norfolk, England. The additional plaque commemorating the Desert Rats of the 4th & 7th Armoured Brigades from 1945 to 2003 was added to the plinth and inaugurated during the Open Day on the 27th June 2004. A new museum has just been opened.

Reviewed By martynr2014 - Swindon, United Kingdom

Great place, full of history and championed by a great man, full of patriotism and committed to ensuring the Rats are remembered. Full of memorabilia and some great tales Highest praise to Rod Scott, who has painstakingly built and maintained the museum. Beautiful nature trails through the forest, so any extremely enjoyable experience

8. Lynford Arboretum

north of Mundford on the A1065, Mundford, Thetford England http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/englandeastanglianoforestthetfordforestparklynfordarboretum
Excellent
61%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 71 reviews

Lynford Arboretum

Reviewed By Symba2014 - Goole, United Kingdom

Free car parking and free entry. Which makes a change these days. We took our dog with us for a walk, while on holiday in the area. The walking is around the edge of the Arboretum were the dogs are allowed off leads. A bit of an agility course through the woods for the dogs to enjoy if wanted. Different route colours so you can choose how far you want to go. It’s a lovely easy flat walk through all the beautiful trees so peaceful and relaxing. Our dog had a good run and burning off his energy. We shall hopefully visit again before returning home.

9. Light Cinema Thetford

Bridge Street 1 Anchor Place, Thetford IP24 3AH England +44 1842 740242 [email protected] https://thetford.lightcinemas.co.uk/
Excellent
65%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Light Cinema Thetford

We're more than just a cinema. We show everything from live theatre to rock concerts. Whether you're after a barista-made coffee or a cocktail, enjoy it at our bar. We even host fun events for the whole family!

Reviewed By DanHoldsworth - Thetford, United Kingdom

This really is a great cinema, large comfy seats and always at a comfortable temperature inside. Website booking easy to use.

10. Grimes Graves

Thetford IP26 5DE England +44 1842 810656 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/grimes-graves-prehistoric-flint-mine/
Excellent
47%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 242 reviews

Grimes Graves

Grimes Graves is an English Heritage site with 433 Neolithic flint mines - one of which has been excavated and is open to the public. A fantastic opportunity to experience real history from 4600 years ago, and enjoy a truly unique landscape with its lunar-like craters above the in-filled mine-shafts There is a small exhibition centre, with a shop that has coffee facilities and packaged snacks, and there is a 96 acre grassland area of special scientific importance for walking and picnics (dogs, on leads, are welcome). Children are provided with a bag of binoculars, bug-boxes, colouring-pages and pencils to help them enjoy the site The exhibition has wall displays, samples of the tools and materials being excavated and videos that explain the history of the site and flint-knapping A very special geological feature is visable from the site: periglacial striations (which were caused by freezing and thawing the chalk substrate in the last ice-age) have created amazing straight lines of alternating vegetation and were formed over 10,000 years ago Whilst the site is open to everybody, with a small carpark, the mine, which is accessed by a robust 32-step ladder to a depth of over 7 metres has, for health and safety requirements, an age restriction for children who have to be 10, or over. It is also a requirement that a helmet (provided) is worn at all times whilst in the mine-shaft Whether you are an archaeologist with a special interest or a family looking for a unique experience, the team at the site welcome you and encourage you to ask questions and learn about Neolithic-man and the importance of flint as a Stone-age tool The site is open from April to September, everyday from 10.00am until last entry at 5.30pm, and is also open in October but only Wedneday to Sunday from 10.00am, with last entry at 4.30pm

Reviewed By 19michaelap

This is great place to stop if you have a little time to kill. Really interesting if you have a curiosity in the Stone Age. It's pretty incredible when you remember how old it is and what a huge undertaking the mining process was. The staff were wonderful. It's great to have people genuinely passionate about taking the time to explain and educate about the site. The man managing the hut had a wealth of knowledge and had been there a long time. Had a great talk and came away feeling very happy I had stopped by to check it out. It's also a beautiful and quiet place just to have a walk and take in the scenery. There is a shop selling souvenirs and cold drinks, and large car park. I would (and very probably will) go back again.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.