Much of the overall woodland was planted post-war and is typical of many estate woodlands of this age in the east of England. The conifers have been thinned and some areas are approaching full maturity. Although a plantation at one time Carpathian Wood now has a wild natural feel with oaks, silver birch and sycamore scattered throughout the woodland. Other species include larch and some impressive gnarled Scots pine.

As Carpathian Wood forms part of a much larger area of woodland it has a greater attraction for wildlife. The larger area of woodland is known to be home to otters, deer and hares. Whilst the tree canopy provides a home for owls, buzzards and numerous other birds. If you approach the wood carefully you may be rewarded with a sighting of the resident muntjac deer. A herd of red deer frequent the woodland and these along with resident roe deer mean you can see three of the six UK deer species if you are both quiet and lucky.

Carpathian Wood forms the very northern end of a much larger wood which was originally part of Riddlesworth Estate. Situated between Thetford and Diss the woodland straddles the Norfolk Suffolk border. It is comprised of conifer and mixed broadleaved trees. The principal species are Scots & Corsican pine, oak, sycamore & poplar. The adjacent farmland is predominantly arable. The woodlands are a dominant feature of the surrounding landscape. The majority of woodland soils in this area are deep well drained acidic sandy soils. A small path leads away from the wood entrance and ends in a small clearing next to an oak tree. This is a wonderful place to camp away from everything.

From the main gate you travel up a newly stoned track for nearly a mile through other areas of private woodland. Leaving the hustle and bustle of modern life behind, the track is suitable for most normal cars and the owner will have full vehicle access rights to the woodland.

The woodland is private with no footpaths within the woodland.

Carpathian Wood provides the opportunity for a new owner to engage in family forestry. Managing a mixed woodland and learning bushcraft skills is a great way to escape modern life. Camping or building woodland hides and all sorts of other outdoor activities can be done here.

The nearby town of Thetford has an excellent variety of shops and a number of pubs are within cycling distance. For the more adventurous there is a wild swimming area just to the south of the woodland on the Little Ouse River.

The woodlands are adjacent to Knettishall Heath SSSI, cited for its large area of heath and grassland on calcareous soils. The woodlands have great wildlife potential with numerous red,roe and muntjac deer residing in them.

Carpathian Wood is named in honour of Polish Soldiers who fought so bravely with the allied forces and who were housed in the woodland at the end of the second world war.

The 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division also commonly known as Christmas Tree Division due to the characteristic emblem of a cedar of Lebanon superimposed upon the Polish flag was a division that fought during World War 2 on the Italian Front. The division participated in the North African and the Italian Campaigns (1941–1945) as part of the British Eighth Army. The division fought in some of the most difficult battles during the Italian campaigns of 1943-1944 and distinguished itself in numerous actions most notably the Battle of Monte Cassino.

In 1947 the Polish resettlement act which established in law the right of serving members of all Polish forces to stay and become British citizens. The Polish Resettlement Camps became mini Polish nations. Polish schools were established to teach English to adults and children alike, sports were arranged, Polish cultural life celebrated, gardens were planted and facilities repaired. The advance parties arrived in the autumn of 1946 and during early 1947 the main elements of the division arrived at Brandon Station, Thetford, Norfolk for transportation to their camps. The 3rd Carpathian Division was distributed between numerous camps in Norfolk . The woods at Riddleworth became home to 3rd Heavy Machine Gun Battalion. It is important that their history is not forgotten. A memorial is found on the edge of the main woodland by the road.