One-day ride: Thetford
A chilled-out ride around the border of Suffolk and Norfolk
IF YOU’VE EVER been to watch the superbikes at Snetterton, you’ve passed Thetford. It’s a quiet old market town that expanded rapidly in the late 20th Century, thanks to its designation as an ‘Overspill’ town from London. But the old centre makes a decent place to visit.
It makes a great base for riding, too. True, you don’t have the challenging elevation changes of more mountainous regions but you do get miles of twisty, enjoyable riding and often better-than-average weather. This is Breckland, characterised by dry heathland and, more recently, Thetford Forest – England’s largest man-made forest.
STAGE ONE Thetford to Attleborough 30 miles
Leave Thetford on the B1107 to Brandon. In Brandon pick up the A1065 to Swaffham. Go straight across the Mundford roundabout and after three miles, turn right on the B1188 to Watton. Cross the town and about a mile after getting into the national speed limit, take the easily missed right turn for the B1077 to Attleborough. Turn left at the T-junction to stay on this road.
Morning coffee Attleborough Turn left to follow the one-way system — but find somewhere to stop. You have a couple of choices: tea or coffee; as in the Courtyard Tearoom or the Coffee Lounge (both do both drinks).
STAGE TWO Attleborough to Framlingham 30 miles
Continue through Attleborough, staying on the B1077 to Diss. Go straight over the crossroads with the B1113, then a mile or so later on, turn left on the B1134 to the Pulhams. Go straight across the A140 roundabout — still towards the Pulhams — and stay on the road all the way to Harlestone. Coming into town, turn right following the ‘Other Routes’ sign. At the end of the road turn right then left, picking up the B1123 to Fressingfield. Keep going straight as it becomes the B1116. Turn left on the B1117 then follow the road as it becomes the B1116 again. In Dennington turn right then turn left by the church to stay on the B1116 all the way to Framlingham.
Lunch Framlingham Follow the road into Framlingham centre. There are a couple of cafés but we like 221B on the roundabout (there’s a handy car park behind it, in the street to the left).
STAGE THREE Framlingham to Lavenham 35 miles
Leave Framlingham town centre the way you came in, picking up the B1119 to Earl Soham. In Saxtead Green turn left on the A1120 to Earl Soham. Don’t miss the left turn in Earl Soham to stay on the A1120 to Stowmarket. In Pettaugh, turn left (after a 90° right) to stay on the A1120 to Stowmarket — then go over the A140 at the
staggered crossroads. At the A1308 roundabout turn right to Stowmarket. At the traffic lights in the town centre turn left on the B1115 to Sudbury. Don’t miss the right turn in Bildeston to stay on the B1115 to Sudbury. At the A1141 turn right to Lavenham.
Afternoon tea Lavenham Half-timbered Lavenham’s a popular place with tourists so there’s plenty of choice of cafés. We like Café Nini on the high street — turn right by The Swan.
STAGE FOUR Lavenham to Thetford 40 miles
Head south from Lavenham on the B1071 to Long Melford. Don’t miss the right turn in Great Waldingfield to Melford. Turn right then left to cross the A134, then turn right up Long Melford High Street. At the large village green turn left on the A1092 to Clare. After half a mile turn right on the B1066 to Stanstead, following it all the way to Bury St Edmunds. At the A143 turn right to go into Bury and follow the road across the town centre (signed for Diss and Great Yarmouth). Go up the steep dual-carriageway hill at Ixworth, then turn left at the next roundabout on the A1088 to return to Thetford.