Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest (and Major Oak!)
Nottinghamshire is the most northern of the East Midlands counties, bordering Yorkshire. It’s of course home to Sherwood Forest, but also the city of Nottingham (known for its trams) and many pretty villages surrounded by countryside.
Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
Acorns and conkers should also be kept away from pets. Did you know that oak trees are toxic to horses, livestock and other animals?
How to upright an overturned sheep
If when out walking you see a sheep on its back (due to pregnancy or rain-soaked wool), just firmly right it back (or it will die) then stay with it, until the rain has drained off.
Major Oak (800 to 1000 years old!)
Sherwood Forest contains several ancient trees including Major Oak, so big and old that he now has scaffolding to keep him upright! Experts estimate that Major Oak is around 800 to 1000 years old.
It’s claimed that the oak tree was a hideout for Robin Hood, he and his friends would camp beneath the branches, or even hide inside the hollow trunk. The forest has 900 other oak trees, covering over 1000 acres of protected woodland.
Major Oak is also home to owls, bats, 155 species of beetles and rare diamond-backed spiders.
Robin Hood and his merry men
Sherwood Forest is of course the home of Robin Hood and his merry men, who would rob from the rich, to give to the poor.
It’s known Robin Hood went to Mass. Lincolnshire Cathedral manuscript writes ‘Robyn hode in scherewode stod’ (which magazine Beano translates as old-timey for ‘Robin Hood in Sherwood Stood’)
The grand old city of Nottingham
Nottingham sits right in the middle of England, its streets lined with grand old buildings, medieval tales and Victorian factories, harking back to its history of lace-making.
Just 33 miles south of Sheffield and 45 miles north-east of Birmingham, it’s only 2 hours by train from London, so within easy reach of many major cities.
Sitting on the River Trent, Old Market Square is the largest public square outside London, and perched on top of the Council House is Little John (Big Ben’s little brother!) Its deep tone chimes strike every 15 minutes, heard for miles across the city.
This is also one of the few cities with a tram system, in this case 20 miles that winds through Nottingham to help reduce road traffic.
