Explore
Things to Do
Sherwood Forest, once the exclusive playground of kings and aristocrats, now offers places to visit and things to do for everyone, and all ages.
VISIT SHERWOOD FOREST
Activities in Sherwood
Sherwood Forest, once the exclusive Royal hunting playground of Kings and Dukes, now offers a wealth of places to visit and active fun for all the family!
ONE STEP AT A TIME
Walking
If you always thought of Nottinghamshire as dominated by coalmines and industry, prepare for some green surprises.
Many former colliery sites were re-landscaped several decades back, and today provide green havens for nature – Bestwood Country Park for example.
And at its heart, tracts of ancient woodland survive, such as Birklands and Bilhaugh within the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve. Tracts of ancient heathland such as Budby South Forest and Sherwood Heath also provide great places to walk and see nature.
The Robin Hood Way is a long distance route starting at Nottingham Castle and ending at St Mary’s Church, Edwinstowe.
Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest & Major Oak Circular. A 5.9 mile walk around the heart of Sherwood Forest.
This AA Walk “A Merrie Tale of Sherwood” explores the legendary haunts of Robin Hood. 5.5 miles.
VIA PEDAL POWER
Cycling
The green way to explore Robin Hood Country.
Bike Hire is available at Sherwood Pines. Managed by Forestry England, this woodland site has 40 miles of singletrack, a Green family route, Blue, and challenging Red routes amongst sandy heath and pine forest.
Visit the ‘Cycling in Nottinghamshire (Nottinghamshire County Council)’ page of the County Council website for useful information on cycling here in Robin Hood country.
Clumber Park Bike Hire. Historic Clumber Park, managed by the National Trust, has over 20 miles of cycles routes. Take your own bike or hire one there.
FROM THE SADDLE
Horse Riding
Sherwood Forest is a great place to explore on horseback. Green lanes and sandy tracks allow riders to connect with the landscape and its nature. Be aware however that a permit is required to ride in the many Forestry England woodland sites within the area.
Here are some local equestrian centres:
Coloured Cob Equestrian Centre at the northern edge of Sherwood offers riding lessons, hacks, riding for disabled, and even carriage driving tasters including rides through the limestone gorge of Creswell Crags.
Woodside Riding School
Long established riding school and stables at the edge of Bestwood Country Park (once a deer park within Sherwood Forest.) Two all-weather floodlit schools, and hacking through the woods of the country park.
Dukeries RDA Centre
The Dukeries Riding Centre is a community facility operated by volunteers for all levels of riders and is the home of the Dukeries Riding for the Disabled. Run bookable “Own A Pony” sessions especially for children (5-16.)
TO A TEE
Golfing
Nottinghamshire, and Sherwood Forest in particular, are home to some fine golf courses. Some examples are below.
The Sherwood Forest Trust proudly supports several Sherwood Forest golf clubs with habitat management advice, including healthland restoration.
FRESH AIR
Outdoor Adventure
Enjoy safe organised outdoor activity, ranging from treetops adventure to axe throwing (don’t try this at home!) Here are just a few examples:
Adrenalin Jungle
Archery, Assault Course, Blindfold Driving, Laser Tag, Paintball, Quad Biking, 4×4 Off Road Driving and More.
Lockwell Hill Activity Centre
Motor and target sports, team events and ‘It’s A Knockout’, team building tournaments, ‘Stag & Hen’ events and corporate outings.
‘Go Ape’ Sherwood Pines Forest Park
Fun treetops adventure from easy to challenging, Zip Trekking, forest segway, “The Plummet” and a safe childrens’ netted play area – 30 feet above the forest floor!
LEARN MORE
Tourist information
Hopefully we’ve whetted your appetite to discover the attractions of Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood Country.
Please help our planet by travelling wherever possible by public transport, bike or Shank’s Pony.
Links below will take you to local Tourist Information services.
