Nearest train station: Brandon
Santon Downham is an idyllic village located in the heart of Thetford Forest near the Suffolk-Norfolk border.
The River Little Ouse runs around the small village, which offers a quaint yet beautiful wild swimming spot surrounded by beautiful forest.
There is a footbridge (made famous in an episode of Dad’s Army) allowing access to the river near St. Helen’s Picnic Site where you can swim along the Little Ouse all the way to the neighbouring town of Brandon.
Santon Downham also has plenty of forest trail walks, and you can follow the Little Ouse eastward or westward to discover additional wild swimming spots.
How to Get to the River Little Ouse at Santon Downham
We’ve provided detailed instructions on how to get to this wild swimming spot near Santon Downham by various means of transport below, as well as general travel information nearby.
By car
Enter the postcode IP27 0TJ into your sat nav, which will take you to St. Helen’s Picnic Site where there is ample parking.
From here, cross over the footbridge over the Little Ouse River where you can access the water accordingly.
By public transport
The nearest train station is Brandon, which is on the Greater Anglia line from Cambridge to Norwich.
The 200 bus from Old Forge Court in Brandon runs to St. Mary’s Church in Santon Downham, after which you’ll have to walk along the banks of the river to the aforementioned picnic site (about 30 minutes). This route is pretty if a little time-consuming, so it may be worth arranging a taxi to the area from Brandon.
By bike
There are some great cycle routes in and around Thetford Forest, and Santon Downham is a great base to explore the forest and of course follow the Little Ouse for more wild swimming explorations.
There are a number of routes including this circular trail near Brandon which takes you through the heart of the forest.
What else is nearby Santon Downham?
Follow the River Little Ouse westward or eastward and you’ll reach the towns of Brandon and Thetford respectively, with the secluded stretch amid the forest offering plenty of natural beauty, wildlife and of course wild swimming spots.
Check out some of these walks around the area.