THE GREAT OAK

At the heart of the Robin Hood legend is the original home, the magnificent former Royal Hunting Forest of Sherwood, scene of many an outlaw tale. Today it is a country park and visitor centre with 450 acres of ancient oaks and shimmering silver birches. 
Waymarked pathways guide visitors through the forest to the mighty 'Major Oak', reputed to be Robin Hood's favourite hideout. In the Visitor Centre there is the colourful exhibition "Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest", a Tourist Information Centre, Heritage Shop, Robin Hood Shop, Country Park Information Office and the 'Forest Table' restraurant. 
The Major Oak
 This giant tree weighing an estimated 23 tons, with a waistline of 33 ft has been here for about 800-1000 years. The exact age of this magnificent tree can only be estimated. Its huge size is a clue, and yet at the same time as some oaks grow faster than others, the enormous trunk conceals the real answer. 
Its large canopy, the leaves and branches, with a spread of 92 ft points to it being a tree that has grown up with little or no competition from oaks nearby. This has allowed the large branches and network of leaves to spread out. Its huge trunks forming as the tree demands food, water and structured support which increased during its continued growth, as it still does today. 


The Domesday Book in 1086 noted that Sherwood Forest covered most of Nottinghamshire above the River Trent. Large trees were seen as a medium of prophecy and knowledge. These trees were associated with woods like Sherwood. Large oaks were frequently depicted as dwelling places for woodland spirits and legend has it that Robin Hood hid from his enemies inside the Major Oak.

Use Browser to go back