Sherwood Forest

Ancient Oaks, Robin Hood and the RSPB

There is something very special about walking through a forest of ancient oak trees, most of them over 600 years old and some possibly between 800 and 1000 years old. One tree, known as the Major Oak, is thought to be one of the oldest trees in the forest and once gave shelter to Robin Hood and his Merry Men according to legend. This tree is now fenced off to protect the ground around its roots from being compressed by the thousands of visitors every year. It also has props to support the branches.

The Major Oak

This year (2018) the RSPB have taken over the management of the remaining woodland and launched an appeal to raise funds to help them protect this special place so it will still be around for people to enjoy in another few hundred years. A new and impressive visitor centre opened at the end of August just in time for the Robin Hood Festival. This is an annual event, now in its 34th year, that locals really enjoy and people come from far and wide to experience the forest and imagine how it would have been like in Robin Hood's time.

Skirmish at the Major Oak

A route through the forest takes in various events and stalls selling traditional goods. Potters making pots; wood turners working wood; storytellers weaving their magic tales; musicians playing traditional instruments; hidden swords, arrows and bows for the children to find; a puppet theatre; a skirmish at the Major Oak involving Robin and his band of men, all adding up to an exciting day out for the child in all of us.

Ancient oak tree

The true magic for me was the forest itself. Away from the crowds it is easy to get lost in thought amid the gnarled yet beautiful trees. Some of these ancient oaks have a huge circumference with the centre of the tree having died away yet more trunks have grown around the edges into what looks like a circle of trees, but they are, in fact, all part of the original oak. These trees are splendid. 

Maps of the forest are  available from the visitor centre and routes are waymarked. 

Ancient oak tree

Ancient oak

Passing beyond the Major Oak a path leads out of the forest and into the adjoining heathland and grassland of Budby South Forest, once part of an ancient hunting forest. This is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and its habitat and wildlife are protected. Woodlarks and nightjars have been spotted and English longhorn cattle graze the area.  

Budby South Forest heathland

English longhorn cattle

Not far from the Major Oak I discovered a copse of birch trees in a grassy area which would make a perfect picnic spot, all that is needed is a rug and some food. 

Perfect picnic spot

The visitor centre has a shop upstairs (lift available) where Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood gifts can be purchased together with a small selection of RSPB books, binoculars and gifts.  Fun backpacks can be hired for children to enjoy different activities depending on the season.  Downstairs is a bright and airy cafe with tables inside and out to enjoy a simple but tasty selection of food and drinks including pick 'n' mix lunch bags for young explorers to grab and go.

Sherwood Forest is a great location for a day out with children and for everyone who enjoys nature.  A local told me that it also has a special magic if visited in the evening when the ancient oak trees take on a more mysterious aura in the fading light.


If you visit Sherwood Forest I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.  Let me know what you enjoyed the most in the comments below.