What's nearby at Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Nearby sites & attractions
Attractions and activities you'll find near Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Walking and hiking
Take easy strolls straight from your cabin in the Sherwood Pines Forest Park or explore the legend of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest Country Park. Set out for a day’s hike along the Robin Hood Way or enjoy the country views in Clumber Park.
Walking and hiking at Sherwood Forest
Nottinghamshire cycling Trails
After a walk through the woods to hire your cycles, Sherwood Pines Country Park awaits. With a selection of trails of varying difficulty, you could spend your entire cycling holiday here. But it’s worth venturing further afield for some longer cycle routes in Nottinghamshire and some great off-road mountain biking for the fearless.
- Rufford Abbey
Family days out
Just a short drive from our cabins, all the family will enjoy a day at White Post Farm, a friendly farm where the children can feed the animals, play in the park and take a spin on the go karts. For a more high-adrenaline adventure, head to Wheelgate Theme Park for thrilling rides, an assault course and a birds of prey experience. A great family day out is also promised at Rufford Abbey Country Park where you can enjoy the abbey ruins, acres of parkland, a children’s play village and a shop and café
Newark CastleHistory and heritage
Explore Nottinghamshire’s history and heritage, from the Bronze Age artwork at Cresswell Crags to the focus on local lives at Mansfield Museum. For book-lovers, don’t miss the D H Lawrence Birthplace Museum, where you can capture a glimpse of the life that is central to his novels. And take a trip to Newark a market town with possibly the finest Georgian square in the UK, a castle and two museums, the National Civil War Centre and the Newark Air Museum.
Towns and Villages
No trip to Sherwood Forest is complete without following in the footsteps of Robin Hood. Edwinstowe is the closest village to our cabins and is at the heart of the legend. This charming village has a history stretching back nearly 1500 years and there’s even a story that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were married here. Another great town to visit is Newark, where you can explore the history of the Civil War, take tea in one of the finest Georgian squares in the country and sit in the cockpits of wartime planes. And the city of Nottingham is a 45-minute drive away for culture, underground caves and a fine castle.
Ben Orton
General Manager, Sherwood Forest
My favourite place to visit in the local area is Welbeck Estate and Harley Cafe.
Outdoor adventures
Take the short walk through the forest from your cabin to Sherwood Pines Visitor Centre. Here you can hire cycles to explore the forest, wear the kids out in the children’s play area, and enjoy refreshments in the café. Go Ape is also close by, where you can enjoy some treetop challenges. For Robin Hood adventures, head four miles up the road to Sherwood Forest Country Park, where you will also find the world famous Major Oak and a further 900 veteran oak trees.
Rainy day activities
When the rain comes down, there are still lots of places you can visit in Nottinghamshire. Put Cresswell Crags at the top of your list. Book a cave tour to see the oldest artwork in Britain, dating back to the Bronze Age, then visit the museum to learn all about how our ancestors lived. Or spend a rainy afternoon at the Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Centre, where you can watch craftspeople at work in 11 studios, and pick up some souvenirs. Over at Wheelgate Theme Park, the action doesn’t stop just because it’s raining, so pay a visit whatever the weather.
Amy Housego
Deputy General Manager, Sherwood Forest
My favourite forest activity is archery, who doesn’t want to be Robin Hood when they’re in Sherwood Forest!
We support Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
We’re supporting our friends at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and we can’t wait to help enhance local wildlife. Why not take a trip to their Idle Valley Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve — only a 30 min drive from our Sherwood location?
Enjoy stunning scenery and learn about their inspiring project reintroducing beavers into the reserve. There’s something for everyone, with an amazing children’s play area and a café too.
Wildlife & nature
At Sherwood Forest you are likely to see rabbits, voles, shrews, hedgehogs, stoats, weasels, foxes, badgers, pipistrelle bat, noctule bat, and Fallow deer.
Foxglove
The forest bursts into colour with flowering woodland plants during spring and summer, particularly along sunlit paths and in open meadows. One of the unmistakable flowers of the woodland in summer is the foxglove. Growing up to 2 meters tall, its brightly coloured flowers are a firm favorite with bumblebees. Look out for these important pollinators landing on the petals and climbing up into the tube shaped flower, transferring pollen as they go.
Cinnabar moth
There’s an abundance of nature waiting to be seen on your walks through Sherwood Forest, from birds like the rare nightjar to groups of fallow deer jumping across the paths. One small, but unmistakable critter to look out for is the cinnabar moth. Unlike most other moths, this brightly coloured insect can be spotted flying along woodland paths or meadows during daylight hours. Its striking black and yellow striped caterpillars are equally, distinctively brightly coloured.
Book your break
Whatever the weather, there's so much fun to be had in Nottinghamshire and our cabins at Sherwood Forest provide the perfect base for your exploration.