Sherwood Forest - legendary ancient haunt of Robin Hood
Sherwood Forest is a royal forest in Nottinghamshire, most famous for its historic association with the legend of Robin Hood. It surrounds the village of Edinstowe, and is a National Nature Reserve which encompasses 1, 046 acres.
Pollen sampling cores shows the area to have been wooded since the end of the Last Glacial Period, between 115,000 and 12,000 years ago.
The central core of ancient Sherwood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Special Area of Conservation. It is an important home of ancient oaks, wood pasture, invertebrates and fungi. Some portions of the forest retain an abundance of particularly old oaks, especially in the portion known as the Dukeries - so called because it used to contain five ducal residences. The River Idle, a tributary of the Trent, is formed in Sherwood Forest.
Sherwood became a royal hunting forest after the Norman invasion of 1066 and was popular with many Norman kings, particularly King John and Edward I. The ruins of King John's hunting lodge can still be seen near the Nottinghamshire village of Kings Clipstone.
The legend of Robin Hood goes that he, with a band of Merry Men, protected the rights of the poor, against what they saw as tyranny. It is said that they would roam the forest, evading the pursuit of the 'evil King John' and the authorities led by the Sheriff of Nottingham. The link in the forest with the Robin Hood legend is most pronounced through the Major Oak - a 1000-year-old oak tree which measures 10 metres in circumference. Previously voted Britain's favourite tree, the story has it that this was Robin Hood's hideout.
Thynghowe in the forest has been researched to have been an important Danelaw meeting place, where people came to resolve disputes. The site was recently found amidst the old oaks of an area known as the Birklands, and English Heritage have confirmed that it was in existence between 1334 and 1609.
Part of Sherwood Forest was first officially opened as a visitor destination in 1969 by Nottinghamshire County Council - who jointly manage the area with the Forestry Commission. The Sherwood Trust covers the national character area of the forest - focusing on conservation and heritage, as well as tourism. Today, it attracts approximately 350,000 visitors per year. Each August, the nature reserve hosts a week-long Robin Hood Festival. The event recreates a medieval encampment, featuring jesters, musicians, rat-catchers and alchemists.
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