The hidden history of one of Norfolk's most famous landscapes will be uncovered at a series of upcoming events.

Eastern Daily Press: The Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured is High Lodge in Thetford Forest. Picture: Ian BurtThe Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured is High Lodge in Thetford Forest. Picture: Ian Burt

The Forestry Commission, which manages Thetford Forest, has been awarded £610,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project to allow people to explore the area's past.

As part of the two-year Trailing the Hidden Heritage of High Lodge scheme, a 4.2km trail is being built so people can find out how the features of the area have been created - from the gunflint mining of the 18th century to the creation of the forest during the 1920s.A series of workshops have also been organised to enable people to research the area's history, take part in archaeological surveys and investigations, carry out wildlife surveys and help produce activities for schools and families and learn new heritage skills.

On Sunday, November 19 people will have the chance to find out how rabbits were farmed for their meat and their fur, as well as visit sites associated with the 600-year warrening industry, including Mildenhall Warren Lodge.

This workshop will be followed by another event on Wednesday, December 6, where people can learn how to look after burial mounds and historic banks to ensure their survival.

Eastern Daily Press: The Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured at High Lodge in Thetford Forest is Hannah Casey from A Business of Ferrets. Picture: Ian BurtThe Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured at High Lodge in Thetford Forest is Hannah Casey from A Business of Ferrets. Picture: Ian Burt

A workshop exploring old documents for references to the wildlife that inhabited the area in the past will take place on Tuesday, December 12.

Project manager Anne Mason said: 'We're trying to ensure that the activities are available to everyone and that age or a health or physical limitation is not a barrier to taking part.'

Most of the workshops run between 10am and 3.30pm and will take place at the Oak Lodge Community Building at High Lodge Centre, as well as outdoors in the forest.

They are free to participants and those who have booked a place will not have to pay the site entry charge.

Eastern Daily Press: The Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured is High Lodge in Thetford Forest. Picture: Ian BurtThe Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured is High Lodge in Thetford Forest. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Instructions and information will be sent out once a booking has been made.

To reserve a place, email highlodgefeedback@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or call 0300 067 4556.

Alternatively write to: Project manager, High Lodge Heritage Project, Forest District Office, Santon Downham, Brandon, Suffolk IP27 0TJ.

Eastern Daily Press: The Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured is High Lodge in Thetford Forest. Picture: Ian BurtThe Forestry Commission has been given a grant of £610, 300. Pictured is High Lodge in Thetford Forest. Picture: Ian Burt