Sherwood Forest is a Royal Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, that is famous through its historical association with the legend of Robin Hood. Continuously forested since the end of the Ice Age,[1] Sherwood is today reduced to a 423 square-kilometre (165 square-mile) remnant surrounding the village of Edwinstowe, the site of Thoresby Hall. The wooded forest of today is a remnant of a much larger royal hunting forest, named as the "shire wood" of Nottinghamshire,[2] which in fact extended into several neighbouring counties (shires), bordered on the west along the River Erewash and the Forest of East Derbyshire.
The Forestry Commission manages most of the forest and provides walks and trails and a host of other activities. Part of the forest was opened as a country park to the public in 1969 by Nottinghamshire County Council, which manages a small part of the forest under lease from the Thoresby Estate. In 2002, a portion of Sherwood Forest was designated a National Nature Reserve by English Nature. In 2007 Natural England officially incorporated the Budby South Forest, Nottinghamshire's largest area of dry lowland heath, into the Nature Reserve, nearly doubling its size from 220 to 423 hectares.[3] Some portions of the forest still retain many very old oaks, especially in the portion known as the Dukeries, south of the town of Worksop, which was so called because it used to contain five ducal residences in proximity to one another. The River Idle, a tributary of the Trent, is formed in Sherwood Forest from the confluence of several minor streams.
Sherwood Forest attracts 500,000 tourists annually, including many from around the world. Visitor numbers have increased significantly since the launch of the BBC's Robin Hood television series in 2006.
The park hosts the annual Robin Hood Festival for a week each summer. This event recreates a medieval atmosphere and features the major characters from the Robin Hood legend. The week's entertainment includes jousters and strolling players, dressed in medieval attire, in addition to a medieval encampment complete with jesters, musicians, rat-catchers, alchemists and fire eaters.
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Sherwood Forest is home to the famous Major Oak, which, according to local folklore, was Robin Hood's principal hideout. The oak tree is between 800 and 1,000 years old and, since the Victorian era, its massive limbs have been partially supported by an elaborate system of scaffolding. In February 1998, a local company took cuttings from the Major Oak and began cultivating clones of the famous tree with the intention of sending saplings to be planted in major cities around the world.
The Major Oak was featured on the 2005 BBC TV programme Seven Natural Wonders as one of the natural wonders of the Midlands.
Danelaw meeting place in Sherwood Forest. See English Heritage and Sherwood Forest sites[1] Thynghowe [2]
In early 2006 it was announced that major plans to transform the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre had been drawn up and are now complete.
Nottinghamshire County Council led a partnership which put in an unsuccessful bid for £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks competition. The project was selected by Big Lottery Fund assessors as one of four finalists.
Coordinates: 53°12′16.09″N 1°4′21.94″W / 53.2044694°N 1.0727611°W
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Sherwood Forest [1] is an area of woodland in Nottinghamshire, in the Midlands of England, that is famous for the outlaw Robin Hood.
Sherwood Forest was a mediaeval hunting forest that stretched from Nottingham to York. Now it is reduced to an area of woodland in north Nottinghamshire that plays host to a number of leisure facilities.
The gateway to Sherwood Forest is Edwinstowe and the area is best reached by car from the M1 or A1 via the A614.
The nearest mainline railway station is Newark, which has good rail links and is on the East Coast Main Line served by trains running between London and Scotland. It is about 1 hour 20 minutes from London. Newark is also on the line running from Nottingham to Lincoln.
National Express coaches run coach services from Nottingham and many other UK destinations.
The nearest international airports are Nottingham Airport (formerly East Midlands Airport), Humberside International Airport, Robin Hood Airport and Sheffield Airport.
Sherwood Forest is riddled with footpaths and other public rights of way, making it easily accessible by walkers and cyclists. For wider exploration a car is recommended.
There are restaurant/cafe facilities at the Robin Hood Visitor centre, at Rufford Park and at Clumber Park.
Visit Southwell - a quaint English market town famous for many things. You can visit the Minster, home to the biggest free standing chapter house in the country. Step back into history at Southwell workhouse, the first in the country to open. Visit the Bramley Apple Pub, who's garden is said to be the site of the creation of the Bramley Apple. Or strole in Southwell's beautiful surrounding countryside.
Visit Newark - a traditional English market town.
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SHERWOOD FOREST, one of the ancient English forests, in Nottinghamshire. It extended from Nottingham northward to Worksop, being over 20 m. long and from 5 to 9 m. broad. The soil is sandy and poor, and although a considerable portion has been brought under cultivation, the district preserves many traces of its ancient character, especially as a great part of it is covered by the domains included under the modern name of the Dukeries. Sherwood was a crown forest from the time of Henry II. and a favourite hunting-ground of several kings; the land was divided between various lords of the manor, and its disafforestation was carried out at various times. The forest is traditionally noted as the retreat of Robin Hood, whose cave is seen at Papplewick near Newstead.
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Sherwood Forest
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Sherwood Forest is a forest in the United Kingdom near Nottingham, England. It is partly famous as reportedly being the home of the mythical outlaw, Robin Hood and his men. Legand claims that they lived in, or near, the Major Oak.
   | Sherwood Forest Trust Official Website - Sherwood Forest Trust |
| | Nottinghamshire County Council's Official Sherwood Forest Page - Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve - Nottinghamshire County Council |
| | The Living Legend. - Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve - Nottinghamshire County Council |
| | Sherwood Forest Regeneration Plans - Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve - Nottinghamshire County Council |
| | Sherwood Forest to double in size - BBC NEWS | UK | England | Nottinghamshire | Sherwood Forest to double in size |
| | An interview with Izi Banton, Park Manager of Sherwood Forest on the history, ecology and tourism of Sherwood. - Izi Banton, Forest Warden -- Interviews in Sherwood |
| | Official tourism website for Nottinghamshire and Sherwood Forest - Nottingham Hotels ~ Nottinghamshire ~ UK Family Holidays ~ Nottingham Conferences |
| | walks and trails and a host of other activities - Forestry Commission - Sherwood Pines Forest Park - |
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