Rendlesham Forest is the site of one of the best-known reported UFO events worldwide, where unexplained lights and encounters were reported by US military personnel in 1980. From following the famous UFO trail to standing in the exact spots where it all happened, here’s what it’s like to visit today.
Stories of UFO sightings and alien encounters have been reported for decades, but very few have the level of detail – or the number of trained witnesses – as the events that took place in Rendlesham Forest.
Often compared to America’s Roswell, the Rendlesham Forest incident refers to a series of sightings over several nights in December 1980, when strange lights and a triangular craft were reported deep within the forest.
I timed my visit to coincide with World UFO Day, heading into the forest to follow the trail and see what it’s really like to explore one of the UK’s most intriguing and unexplained events.
My Spooky Top 50 Challenge – UFO-Hit Rendlesham Forest
Rendlesham Forest is one of the stops on my mission to visit Britain’s Top 50 folklore and superstition locations (based on the Marvellous Maps challenge). It made the list thanks to the famous UFO sightings reported here in 1980 – often referred to as the UK’s Roswell.
I visited on World UFO Day to follow the trail and see what it’s really like to explore one of the most well-known UFO cases in the world.
🖤 UFO-Hit Rendlesham Forest
📅 2nd July 2023
Why Is Rendlesham Forest Famous?
Rendlesham Forest is often referred to as the ‘Roswell of the UK’ due to a series of UFO sightings in December 1980. Over the course of three nights, US Air Force personnel reported strange lights, flying objects, and unexplained burn marks within the forest.
The events of that December have caused debate between believers and sceptics ever since.
As the UK Ministry of Defence deemed that the event posed no threat to national security, it was never fully investigated as a security matter.
What Happened in the Rendlesham Forest Incident?
During the early hours of 26th December, two United States Air Force patrolmen at the RAF Woodbridge East Gate spotted unusual lights descending into Rendlesham Forest. A small team, including Jim Penniston and John Burroughs, was dispatched to investigate. One member remained on patrol at the East Gate, while another stayed at the edge of the forest as radio contact began to break down inside.
The others headed into the forest on foot and reported seeing a cone or triangle-shaped object in a clearing. The craft was about the size of a car and floated on beams of light around 12 inches above the ground. It appeared metallic, with black markings on one side, and was surrounded by mist. The two patrolmen tried to approach, but found it was like walking in slow motion. Jim reported touching the craft and feeling a smooth, warm surface. Suddenly, it rose in a flash of light and manoeuvred through the trees before disappearing. As this happened, animals on a nearby farm became frenzied. Confused, the men returned to base and reported what they had seen.
The following day, a small team investigated the area and reported trees with broken tops and burn marks, along with three triangular depressions in the ground, measuring around 1.5 inches deep and 7 inches wide.
Then, a second sighting was reported on 28th December. A larger team returned to investigate, this time led by Deputy Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt. Armed with a dictaphone, he recorded his observations (these recordings can still be found online), describing unusual lights in the forest, beams of light, and more. They also tested radiation levels, which were found to be ten times higher than the normal background level!
During the investigation, they reported seeing more lights. Over an open field to the east of the forest, they spotted a pillar of yellowish mist that transformed into something resembling a huge eye with a dark centre. The object moved through the forest, avoiding the trees, before another craft appeared.
This second craft hovered above them, sending down a bright, white laser-like beam and landing within ten feet. Suddenly, the light switched off and the object flew away. More lights were seen elsewhere in the forest, some with fragments hanging down from them. The object lingered in the sky for around an hour before eventually disappearing.
Explanations and Controversy
The Rendlesham Forest incident remains one of the most famous UFO cases in the UK, and the sightings are still widely debated.
Some believe the lights could have been meteors or stars, or even beams from the nearby Orford lighthouse. Others believe it was all a hoax.
Danny Robins covered this case in a fantastic episode of Uncanny, where Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt shares his account. He describes being asked to write an official report of his experiences – known as the Halt Memo – which was later leaked to the press. The attention became so intense that he reportedly went into hiding, while other witnesses later changed or withdrew their statements. Charles still believes the events were extraterrestrial and that they were covered up by both the UK and US.
Personally, I believe the sightings were real — but that’s a deeper dive for another day.
The Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Rendlesham Forest is a 500-hectare mixed woodland in Suffolk which offers walking trails, outdoor activities and more.
The Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail is a three-mile walk that leads you around five spots in the forest, each with information provided in a pamphlet. Some spots have information boards too, and you’ll walk between forest, heathland and wetlands throughout. The easy walk takes around an hour and a half and outlines where the incidents happened and where the lights were spotted.
You collect the pamphlet from their information office on arrival, where you’ll also see lots of other self-guided walks you can take. Alternatively, you can access the trail here.
My Experience on the UFO Trail
I absolutely love that Rendlesham Forest has outlined a trail to follow – so much so that I decided to visit and take the trail on World UFO Day!
The trail is really fun and such a unique way to get out in nature. It’s a great way to bring the case to life and make up your own mind about what happened across those winter nights in 1980. As I read about what happened, standing in the same spots that others had when they spotted the lights, it was really easy to imagine how they felt at that time. Though the forest is beautiful, some areas are dense, with thick trees, which can seem quite isolating and unsettling at times. When I read that the initial search party reported hearing women screaming, frenzied animals and, of course, the unexplained lights, I could feel a chill.
Taking part in the Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail is a lot of fun – whether you’re a believer or not. My only negatives about the experience were that sometimes it was a little hard to follow the trail – some stops didn’t have waymarkers, and it was hard to know if we were in the right place. Only a few had information boards too. Therefore, at some stops, there wasn’t a whole lot to look at. It would be great to see more information boards introduced in the future.
I would still recommend visiting, though – especially if you’re looking for something a bit different and fun/kitschy to do on World UFO Day!
Spooky Tips for Visiting
Planning a trip to Rendlesham Forest? Here’s what to know before you go.
Location: Rendlesham Forest is located in Suffolk, near Woodbridge. The main access point for the UFO trail is via Tangham Forest Centre, where you’ll find parking, facilities, and the information office.
Getting There: The easiest way to reach Rendlesham Forest is by car, with parking available at Tangham Forest Centre (charges may apply). If travelling by train, the nearest station is Melton, though Woodbridge has better connections. From there, you’ll need a taxi to reach the forest, as public transport options are limited.
Time Needed: The UFO trail is around 3 miles long and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete at a steady pace. Allow extra time if you want to stop and read all the information points or explore other areas of the forest.
Navigation: The trail can be a little tricky to follow in places, as not all stops are clearly marked. It’s worth keeping an eye on the map or pamphlet to make sure you’re heading in the right direction.
Accessibility: The trail is relatively flat and easy to walk, but paths can be uneven, muddy, or soft underfoot depending on the weather. Some areas may be less suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Important Update: As of 2026, the UFO trail is temporarily closed due to timber harvesting operations. Some (or all) of the signage appears to have been removed, although the route itself can still be walked. Hopefully, the signs will be put back once the trail reopens. It’s worth checking for the latest updates before visiting.
If you’re exploring the area, Bury St Edmunds is just under an hour away and has plenty of its own eerie history – from haunted locations to unusual attractions, there’s lots to discover.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rendlesham Forest UFO Incident
Planning to visit yourself? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get the most out of your visit to Rendlesham Forest and learn more about the incident.
Is Rendlesham Forest Worth Visiting?
If you’re interested in UFOs, folklore, or unusual places, Rendlesham Forest is a unique place to explore. Even beyond the incident, the forest offers scenic walks and a chance to experience the location for yourself. That being said, if you’re mainly visiting to do the UFO trail, hold off until it’s reopened later this year.
How Long Is the Rendlesham Forest UFO Trail?
The trail is three miles long and takes around an hour to walk. But you might want to allow a little longer if you want to take your time, take photos and immerse yourself more.
Is Rendlesham Forest the UK’s most famous UFO sighting?
Rendlesham Forest is often considered the UK’s most famous UFO case and is even referred to as the UK’s Roswell! While places like Bonnybridge in Scotland report more sightings overall, Rendlesham remains one of the most well-known incidents.
What Did Colonel Halt Report in Rendlesham Forest?
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt recorded his experience during the second night of the incident, describing unusual lights, beams shining down into the forest, and objects moving through the trees. His audio recordings and written report, known as the Halt Memo, are key pieces of evidence from the case.
Final Thoughts From a Morbid Tourist
The Rendlesham Forest UFO trail is a fun, slightly unusual way to spend a day – there’s something about walking through nature, immersing yourself in the story, and half-hoping you might just catch a glimpse of something unexplained.
Although I do wish they’d put more effort into the signage, the fact that they’ve created a self-guided trail is still really cool, and the pamphlet is genuinely informative. There’s also plenty more to do in the forest, from cycling to other walking routes. You can even camp overnight if you want to increase your chances of spotting something…
As for the incident itself, I’m firmly in the believer category. The fact that it was experienced by United States Air Force patrolmen makes it all the more compelling, and it’s hard to explain away everything that was reported.
But what do you think? Why not take the trail yourself and see what you make of it?
Rendlesham Forest
www.forestryengland.uk/rendlesham-forest
Entry is free, but parking charges apply at Rendlesham Forest, up to two hours: £3.00 and all day: £5.00.
There are toliets on-site as well as a small café and picnic area.
I really love your coverage of this location and the incident it’s well put together, I’ve been working on putting together a short documentary of this forest and incident. Having been to the forest a few times it’s so chilling and at times quite still.
I really find the mysteries and cryptids people claim to have seen here intriguing.
Hi Roisin,
It certainly is a fascinating place! Please do come back and share the details when your documentary is live so I can watch it!
Great post – thank you so much for including me in your sources! 🖤