During 2025 there will be ongoing improvement works happening in Rendlesham Forest, including maintenance work to the main car park, enhancing our cafe offer, and forestry operations. The forest remains open during this work, but diversions may be in place. Safety for visitors and staff is our top priority, so please respect any closures in place and follow signed diversions.
Rendlesham car park maintenance and facilities closure
Time period of work
Monday 24 February - Tuesday 11 March 2025
Scope of work
We will be resurfacing and slightly reconfiguring the main car park, and this requires the temporary closure of the toilets, play area and horsebox car park. Plane Spotters car park will remain open.
Cafe facilities in the forest
Tinto Cafe will be available in the main car park most weekends and during school holidays, weather permitting. For menus and latest opening times, visit Tinto's Instagram page.
In the coming months we'll be installing a more permanent structure to enhance Rendlesham's cafe offer.
Forestry operations at Rendlesham
Rendlesham Forest is an active working woodland that produces sustainable timber. Our work ensures responsible forest management and contributes to reducing reliance on less sustainably managed forests worldwide.
Time period of work
February 2025 - January 2026
Temporary closures and trail diversions
Timber harvesting operations will require temporary closures and diversions. Please follow all on-site signs for safety, even on weekends. The table below will be regularly updated with the current status.
- Area 1 on the map linked below is currently closed
Please click here for an up to date map of thinning operations happening on site.
Last updated: 21 February 2025
| Facility | Status |
|---|---|
| Camping | Closed |
| Cafe | Open weekends and holidays |
| Play area | Open |
| Tang cycle trail | Open |
| Fido cycle trail | Open |
| Easy Access trail | Open |
| Phoenix trail | Currently diverted |
| Main Car Park | Open |
| Horsebox car park | Open |
| Plane Spotters car park | Open |
| Butley Corner car park | Open |
Thinning out forests
When we plant a forest to produce timber, we often place trees close together so that they grow tall and straight with fewer branches. This produces stronger timber with fewer knots in the wood. Some trees will not grow as well as others, so we fell the smaller trees to create space and light for the others to grow better. This is called thinning.
The wood from the smaller trees that are thinned is used for things like fence posts, pallets, wood chips and fuel. The remaining trees will carry on growing and produce a good quality timber crop.
Contact the Rendlesham team
If you have any queries about the improvement works happening at Rendlesham, please email sandlingsranger@forestryengland.uk