Nottinghamshire: Sherwood Forest and Big Ben’s Little Brother!
Nottinghamshire is the most northerly of the East Midlands counties, known mostly for the city of Nottingham (with its lace-making history) and Sherwood Forest (home of Robin Hood and his merry men). Outside of these areas, you’ll find many charming villages, riverside walks and countryside manors.
When out walking, always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
Nottingham: A City with Lace-Making History
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.
Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest is of course known mostly as the home of Robin Hood and his merry men, who would rob from the rich, to give to the poor. The 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, and its claimed it 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 many owls, bats and rare insects. The rare diamond-backed spider calls the old woodland home. As do 1500 species of beetles.
Did you know that oak trees are toxic to horses, livestock and other animals? Acorns and conkers should also be kept away from pets.
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’)
Laxton: England’s Last Open Field Village
Tucked away in northern Nottinghamshire, Laxton is one of the villages left to practice open field strip farming, which divides parcels of land between villagers (so everyone gets access to equal share of food). Robin Hood would have approved!
Care must be taken (to ensure diseased plants and animals don’t end up on neighbouring farms). But if done well, it’s a great way for small farmers to empower themselves against huge landowners.
England’s biggest landowners today are the government, Crown Estate, Monarchy, National Trust and RSPB. The Duke of Westminster also owns a huge portion of land, much of which he rents out for friends to go on shooting parties. Aristocrats own almost a third of our farmland.
D.H. Lawrence: The Man Behind the Words
This Nottinghamshire man was one of one of England’s most influential writers. Forget about the controversial novels, and read his nature poetry instead. Born in Eastwood in 1885, he grew up the son of a coal miner and schoolteacher.
He had quite a controversial life, eloping with the wife of his tutor (who was older than him). Still they remained happily married, until his early death from TB age just 44.
While living on the island of Sicily, he wrote one of his most famed poems. Snake talks of his regret at missing an opportunity to revel in looking at one of the ‘great lords of life’ – a poisonous snake who came to drink at his water trough.
