Staverton Thicks Walk

3.2 miles (5.2 km)

This circular walk takes you around Staverton Thicks in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths�Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The woodland area is located on the eastern side of Rendlesham Forest, near Butley.
The area is renowned for its extraordinary collection of gnarled, ancient oak trees, many of which are centuries old, some estimated to be over 400 years old. These venerable giants, often massive pollards with hoary trunks and fantastically twisted branches, create a unique, almost surreal landscape that feels straight out of a fairy tale or a fantasy novel.
As you wander the paths, you'll find yourself amidst a dense, often hushed environment. The oaks, with their incredible forms, dominate the scene, but interspersed are remarkably tall hollies, some of the largest in Britain, which have thrived in the unique conditions created by the ancient pollarded oaks. The ground beneath can be bare in places, highlighting the intricate root systems and the sheer age of these trees. While some paths are well-defined, the atmosphere of "The Thicks" itself can feel wild and untamed, a true relic of ancient woodland management.