The
Unofficial Website
Sherwood Forest & The Major Oak
The remains of Sherwood Forest that you
can see today are only a pale shade of the great forests that covered this part of England before mankind took his axe to them. This was the Wild Wood, trackless, untamed and
frightening. There are still odd bits like that if you get away from the tourists, but pack a compass and an Ordnance Survey map and you won't be lost for more than a day or two.
Back in the Middle Ages there were all sorts of bandits and outlaws in virtually any stretch of forest. Robin of Redesdale and Robin of Cloudsmere being ones that I have heard of as well as Robin Hood. Lovely language isn't - English - calling a robber Robin! Any how the present legends about Robin Hood and his Merry Men seem to be largely of Victorian manufacture. Of course there is an annual Robin Hood Festival to attract the tourists usually early August.
The Major Oak is one of the largest and oldest oak trees in England. This venerable old ent has been held together with props and chains for a long time. You'd need them too if you were about 800 years old or more. These days a fence prevents visitors' feet from compacting soil over the tree's roots. However there are other trees in the area almost as old which you can still climb and hide inside the hollow trunks. There is absolutely no evidence that Robin ever hid from the Sheriff of Nottingham inside the Major Oak but he might have done.
All in all I regard Sherwood Forest as an area for walking but you will find that there is great deal more to do there. One suggestion is tour the area and have a pint in every pub called the Robin Hood - get a teetotaller to drive as you'll be well canned before lunchtime. And yes you can eat lunch in a cafe called the Robin Hood.
The Sherwood Forest Country Park and Visitor Centre
I can, in all honesty, hold up my hands and say that I have never visited the Visitor Centre. I have been to many parts of Sherwood Forest but I've always managed to avoid this. Somehow I think it that it rather detracts from the majesty of the forest. However there is an interactive exhibition which gives information about Sherwood, along with other forests throughout the world. There are regular displays of woodland crafts, traditional skills and mediaeval entertainment should these be your thing.
The Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Centre is just a few minutes walk from the Visitor Centre. The centre has about 20 studios for a wide variety of craftspeople although I don't think all of them were occupied. You can try your hand in one or two of them and buy in all of them.
Parking in the country park is free in the week but charges apply weekends and bank holidays and school summer holidays. There are shops, toilets, a restaurant open until 5pm and disabled facilities.
The Sherwood Forest Country Park and Visitor Centre, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire. Tel. 01623 823202/824490 Fax 01623 823202 or visit the website www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/countryparks.
Sherwood Pines Forest Park
Sherwood Pines Forest Park is the largest woodland open to the public in the East Midlands. There are over 1200 hectares of woodland and open heath and it is forestry commission run. It is a great place to walk, cycle, or horse ride. The visitor centre and cycle shop are located in the northern part of the wood where the waymarked trails start. The wood is a busy venue for sporting events such as car rallies, horse rides and cycling events. How to get there - Off the B6030 between Old Clipstone and Ollerton.
From Garry re Sherwood Pines "with much better off road facilities for MTBers and they've just revamped it to include dirt jumps etc. National MTB events are
held there."
Go Ape! High Wire Forest Adventure
A course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip slides above the forest floor. Suitable for children over 10 years, height and weight restrictions apply. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult (other rules apply). Must be pre-booked.
Sherwood Forest Farm Park
Rare breed farm animals, exotic birds, gardens. Between Edwinstowe and Mansfield Woodhouse off the A6075. Tel. 01623 or visit the website www.sherwoodforestfarmpark.co.uk.
Other places to go in Sherwood Forest
Blidworth Woods
Harlow Woods
The Birklands
Haywood Oaks
Thieves Wood
Then there is the Thoresby Exhibition Centre and Pierrepont Gallery on the Thoresby Estate. This is the permanent home of the Countess Manvers collection, and a varied programme of exhibitions are on display. Tel. 01623 822365.