Explore the forest, and beyond at Sherwood Forest
Forest Rangers
An entire forest at your feet. Let us show you around...
Our Forest Rangers are experts in helping you have fun in the great outdoors. They know the forests like the back of their hand and will help you to understand and connect with the forest. With experiences that are designed to show you the very best of our location, whichever activity you choose, you'll have an unforgettable experience.
Make sure you book in advance as our experiences are popular! Just choose your activity in my account.
Guided Woodland Walk
Suitable for families, groups and couples
With an entire forest waiting to be explored, it’s hard knowing where to start! Join our Forest Rangers for a guided tour, taking in some unforgettable views whilst learning a thing or two about the wildlife who call our forests home.
Mini Forest Rangers
Suitable for families and 5-11 year olds
Become a mini bird detective! Spread your wings and get ready to discover the world of bird spotting and migration. Through exciting games, crafts and immersive activities – put our feathered friends into the spotlight with help from your Forest Ranger.
Little Wild Ones
Suitable for families and pre-schoolers
When imaginations run wild, a love for nature begins to grow. And there’s no better playground than the forest! Your Forest Ranger will guide your tiny explorers through woodland activities and imaginative play – bringing stories to life as they find their first Forest Feeling.
Forest Survival
Suitable for families, groups and couples
It’s the simple things in life — like how to light a fire and build a woodland shelter. Learn it all with your Forest Ranger, then it’s time to relax around the campfire, toast some marshmallows and enjoy a well-deserved cuppa from freshly foraged herbs.
Nature by Night
Available September to March, suitable for all
Evenings in the forest just got even more extraordinary. Join a guided walk as you uncover the world of biofluorescence, using UV light to unveil a whole new world of wonders.
Outdoor adventures
Throw yourself into adventure and enjoy the very best of the outdoors on these incredible local experiences...
Good to know
Guests get 15% off bike hire at Sherwood Pines Cycles. For more information call 01623 822 855 or email [email protected].
Forest Spa
Unwind with a spa experience like no other, surrounded by the forest and a natural soundtrack outside. Switch off with soothing treatments designed for couples' time, group relaxation, or simply some time just for you.
You'll need to pre-book our in-cabin spa treatments to make sure we can get everything in place for your stay.
Book your spa experience
You'll need to pre-book our in-cabin spa treatments to make sure we can get everything in place for your stay.
Book your spa experience
Elvis Owl Nature Trail
Get hands-on in the forest with this brand-new, self-led Forest Nature Trail.
Explore the incredible wildlife around you, get stuck into activities and learn amazing things about nature.
Use your discovery pack and follow our five stepping stones to nature while you get to know your forest friends. See, hear and touch nature all around you... and have an incredible adventure in the forest.
Quiz nights
Come along to our Forest Quiz every Wednesday and Saturday! Grab a drink, choose your team name and put your knowledge to the test for a chance to win. It’s free and everyone’s welcome - with special rounds for kids! Join us in the Forest Retreat from 5.30pm.
Good to know...
You can reserve a table for the quiz by booking in for dinner at the Forest Retreat. Pre-order our Quiz Night specials in my account, or speak to our team while you're here.
Pottery painting
Head to the Forest Retreat and discover your creative side. Choose from a selection of our favourite woodland animals and experiment with spongy foam clay or paint a masterpiece to take away the same day.
Small Bisque - foam or paint | £6.95
Medium Bisque - foam or paint | £10.95
Large Bisque - foam or paint | £13.95
Rainy days
On rainy days, look out for TV messages for any indoor activities we're running. We also have plenty of board games in the Forest Retreat so why not pop in, pick up a game and grab a drink.
Build a Forest Friend
Looking for something to keep little hands busy indoors?
Head to the Forest Retreat, where mini explorers can build their own Forest Friend to join them on their adventures when they’re back outside. You can pre-book yours so they’re ready and waiting for when you arrive.
Local recommendations Sherwood Forest
Pubs and restaurants
Delicious meals out, dog-friendly pubs or the perfect end to a walk. Take your pick from our top pubs and restaurants close to the forest.
Great for get-togethers and celebrations, just 7 minutes' drive.
Excellent dog-friendly pub in Edwinstowe, just a 7-minute drive.
Classic food in a quirky space, just a 4-minute drive away.
Take a 10-minute drive for a cracking Sunday roast here!
Places to visit
Head out beyond the forest and discover what the area has to offer.
Adrenalin Jungle
Get muddy with lots of outdoor fun at Adrenalin Jungle, a 19-minute drive away.
Clumber Park
Visit the National Trust's Clumber Park, with 3,800 acres of parkland.
Creswell Crag – ice-age caves
Creswell Crag – ice-age caves are a 21-minute drive and an incredible place to explore!
Lost City Adventure Golf
Play a round of crazy golf in a lost city. Great for rainy days, jump in the car and head into Nottingham City Centre for this one – it's a 40-minute drive.
Welbeck Estate
Visit the Welbeck Estate, browse their farm shop and stop for a while in the café.
A 20-minute drive.
White Post Farm
White Post Farm is great for family days out, and just a 15-minute drive.
Walking trails
Clumber Park | 2.4km
Clumber Park, just 20-minutes’ drive from Sherwood Forest, is a wonderful mix of picturesque parkland and gardens, dappled woodland, and a beautiful lake. The Clumber Park walk is a 45-minute walk, suitable for all abilities, which takes you on a meander through the park’s history.
Walk for All Seasons | 3.2km
Another, slightly longer walk in Clumber Park, the Walk for All Seasons, has bluebells in spring, flowers in summer and stunning colours in autumn. There's also a delightful two-mile long avenue of lime trees to walk through.
Dragonfly trail | 1.6km
From the nearby Sherwood Pines forest, take the family-friendly one-mile Dragonfly Trail. It’s an easy, surfaced trail, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, which also takes in play areas for the kids to stop off. Pass some of the oldest trees in the forest before resting at the Dragonfly Pond.
Edwinstowe walk | 7.4 Km
This leisurely walk takes you through centre of Edwinstowe, along the River Maun, past Archway House, along the green ride (SSSI) and past a group of ancient oaks that are well worth seeing!
Edwinstowe moderate walk | 13km
This moderate second Edwinstowe walk takes you round some of the historic sites at the heart of Sherwood Forest.
Major Oak trail | 2.4km
With a range of walks in Nottinghamshire on offer, no visit to this neck of the woods is complete without visiting the Major Oak. Reputed to be the base of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, this 2.4km walk will take you past this world-famous landmark, through ancient woodland – where there are hundreds more veteran oak trees.
The Robin Hood Way | 169km, various routes
The Robin Hood Way is 105 miles long. It runs from Nottingham Castle to Edwinstowe, taking in the parks, forests and beauty spots of Nottinghamshire. The whole stretch might be a bit much, but pick it up at Edwinstowe and see where it takes you for a day. There are also 14 circular routes which spin off from the main route. It’s the perfect way to explore Nottinghamshire.
Ranger’s path | 7.2km
If you’re looking for a slightly longer walk in the nearby forest, the Ranger’s path is the one for you. This 7.2km route is the longest walking trail on offer at Sherwood Pines and allows you to explore the forest and gain an insight into how it operates. Venture through the outer areas, discover some of the historic features and experience your own piece of woodland solitude. The trail isn't suitable for pushchairs or people with mobility issues due to the uneven terrain. Follow the brown markers to navigate your way through this unique trail.
Cycling trails
Almost No Hills | 40km
The National Cycle Network Route 6 forms part of the 248km Derby to York cycle route. For a picturesque ride with views of pretty villages try Almost No Hills, a 40km flat, circular route.
Ancient Sherwood route | 32km
For a longer trip, try the Ancient Sherwood route through Clumber Park. It's picnic perfection.
Kings Clipstone Route 2 | 8.8km
For leisurely forest and waterside cycling take Kings Clipstone Route 2, where you might be able to spot a kingfisher or two.
Lakeside at Clumber Park | 7.4km
Discover beautiful parkland on a trail that takes you around the Serpentine lake at Clumber Park.
Vicar Water Country Park | various routes
Visit Vicar Water Country Park for easy, waymarked trails. There’s a handy café and visitor centre there too.
Dog-walking trails
Bring your furry friend on an adventure and explore one of the many forest trails, where acres of woodland and country roads make a great spot for a scamper.
Clumber Park Circular | 8.5km
Try this circular dog-friendly walk at the National Trust's Clumber Park, just 16 minutes' drive from your cabin. You and your pup can head through woodland and walk lakeside, learning about the historic aspects of the park.
Wildwood Trail | 6.4km
This trail will show you the rich collection of different landscapes that can be found – and the tails will love exploring the heathland and wood pasture while you spot wonderful wildlife and ancient oaks. Explore Robin Hood's world and discover the magic of this fantastic forest.
Hardwick Hall Circular | 4.6k
With 2,500 acres of parkland to explore, this walk leads you on an hour-long loop, with views of Hardwick Hall from the far side of the valley.
Go Ape
Take a trip through the trees, full of adventure! Save 10% on your Go Ape experience when you stay with us, including on Saturdays.
Look out for our emails with offers and activities to book before your stay – they'll include your unique discount code. Go Ape Sherwood is just a short walk from your cabin, where you can experience:
- Go Ape Tree Top Challenge | from £36
- Go Ape Tree Top Challenge Plus | from £40
- Go Ape Tree Top Adventure | from £21
- Go Ape Tree Top Adventure Plus | from £26
- Go Ape Segway | from £38
- Go Ape Nets Adventure | from £20
Activities nearby
Discover local activities and adventures in the local area.
- Coloured cob pony trekking | from £26
- Creswell Crags cave tours | from £15
- Adrenalin Jungle for muddy outdoor fun | from £20
Good to know
You can pre-book the above activities with us! Just login to add on ahead of your stay.
Wildlife experiences
Get close to the wildlife
Meet some of our forest friends up close with incredible experiences near to the forest.
Why not try...
Wildlife and trees
Wildlife at Sherwood Forest
What can you spot?
Fallow deer
These woodland natives have chestnut coats with white spots. The males shed their antlers by June and in the autumn the male and female herds meet for the rutting season.
Tawny owl
In winter, the hooting of the nocturnal tawny owl fills the air, with their striking gingery-brown feathers standing out against the frosty forest backdrop. Watch as they hunt for mice and ‘talk’ to each other during the courting season.
Pipistrelle Bat
Venture out at night to see the pipistrelle bat - so small it could fit into a matchbox. It emerges at dusk for food and can eat up to 3000 insects in a single night.
Want to learn more about the wildlife here? Book onto a Forest Ranger experience and discover all the secrets of the forest!
Trees at Sherwood Forest
Trees you'll find in the forest
Oak
Oak supports more life than any other native tree in the UK – and they're found throughout the country. They're home to hundreds of insect species, supplying many birds and bats with an important food source, as well as creating shelter. Oaks actually shorten with age to help extend their lifespan!
Scots pine
Scots pine is one of only three native conifers, and our only native pine. You'll spot this all-year round as its needle-like leaves are evergreen. It’s the perfect habitat for iconic Scottish wildlife such as the red squirrel, as well as animals like the pine marten and Scottish wildcat. Scots pines in southern England are also the main caterpillar foodplant for the pine hawk-moth.
Sycamore
The broadleaf Sycamore is a source of food and shelter for wildlife including bees, pollinators, caterpillars, birds, and insects. They're a popular nesting site for blackbirds, robins and blue tits, and also provide shelter for small mammals and bats. Look low down and you might also spot fungi growing on the tree.
Supporting the forest
We’re more than just a holiday
Nestled within inspiring natural spaces, we offer a unique way to experience and enjoy the UK’s forests, helping you experience and reconnect with nature.
We look after the land we love for us all, protecting wildlife and helping to preserve the forest for the future. By putting nature centre-stage, we give you the best of the outdoors. A sense of freedom and a unique experience, where you feel connected to the forest and to each other. Because you don’t just visit the forest, you really feel it.
And once you’ve found that Forest Feeling, you’ll never let it go.
Let's look after what we love
Help to care for the wildlife around you in small, but important ways. You'll find it's as good for you as it is for nature!
Give nature a helping hand by....
- Creating habitat piles using old logs and branches
- Picking up any litter you see – the forest and wildlife will thank you for it
- Turning off the lights when they’re not in use to reduce energy use
- Using the bins provided to separate your waste and recycle properly
