Forestry England introduces car parking charges at Santon Downham, Lynford Stag and Lynford Water

Car parking charges have been introduced at three forest sites near Brandon and Thetford due to rising costs.

Visitors using the Forestry England car parks at Santon Downham, Lynford Stag and Lynford Water now have to pay.

A spokesman for Forestry England said: “We provide hundreds of car parks, maintain thousands of miles of trails, footpaths and bridges and look after benches, signs and information and a wide range of other facilities for visitors.

“Rising costs are unsustainable. To maintain our current network of places to visit we need support from those using these to enable us to continue to look after these special locations.

“By paying a small fee for parking, visitors are making a big contribution.”

The spokesman added that access to the forest is still free, only car parking is chargeable.

Parking costs £1.80 for up to two hours, £2.50 for up to four hours, £3 all day and £7 for a seven-day pass. Parking is free for national Forestry England members.

Anyone with membership only covering the High Lodge site could choose national membership at their renewal, or email membership@forestryengland.uk to investigate their current membership and time remaining.