Following damage from recent storms there are two temporary diversions on our Outlaw cycle route. Please look out for signage.

Visitor information

Have an adventurous day out in the great outdoors, at any time of the year

Come and explore one of the Midland’s most well-known forests! With activity trails, play areas, bike hire, wild running and mountain biking trails, Sherwood Pines will set the scene for a great day out for all.

Get back to basics on one of our bushcraft experiences or soar through the trees on Go Ape’s famous zip wires. If you are feeling a bit peckish after adventuring around the forest, drop in to the Sherwood Pines Café for a range of locally sourced snacks.

Top off your trip with an overnight stay! Forest Holidays have a selection of stunning cabins located in the heart of the forest, perfect if you are looking to escape the everyday. Camping in the Forest also provide the perfect spot to pitch your tent and stay in the great outdoors.

Forest event
23-24 March 2024
1:00am to 05:00pm
Lower event field

Family fun, electric challenge and that competitive edge, the Crank It Weekender has something for everyone!!

This year is full of exciting formats, from E-bikes and timed stages to racing and skills coaching! Get the family entered for all the fun! 

 

Forest event
Saturday 23 March 2024
7.15pm for 7.30pm start.
Classroom opposite the Gruffalo.

Enjoy a night out in the solar system with a big moon looming large over the forest and the biggest planet of them all, Jupiter, putting on its best display for eight years.  We'll also show you how to take a picture of the moon using your mobile phone as a keepsake plus we'll have colourful talks and equipment advice.  Even if the weather intrudes a special tour of the constellations on a big screen will provide plenty of wow moments.

This event is suitable for all abilities, however if you are a beginner we will introduce you to stargazing, guide you through how to observe the night sky and give you tips about the best equipment to use.

These events are not suitable for young children, all participants must be aged 8 and over. 

For any queries, please contact customerrelations@forestryengland.uk (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)

Forest event
Fridays: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 May. 7, 14, 28 June. 5, 12, 19 July. 2, 9, 16, 23 August
9.30am to 10.30am
Meet at the Visitor Centre at 9.15am

Join us for a rejuvenating Vinyasa yoga experience in the heart of the forest. Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of nature as you connect mind, body, and soul through a dynamic flow of yoga poses.

Our instructor will guide you through a powerful Vinyasa yoga sequence that will help you build strength, flexibility, and inner peace. This fluid style of yoga emphasizes seamless transitions between poses, creating a graceful and effortless flow of movement.

With only 20 spots available, this intimate event ensures personalized attention from our experienced instructor. Please come dressed appropriately for an outdoor yoga experience, as we will be practicing amidst the stunning beauty of the forest.

Don't miss this opportunity to reconnect with nature and yourself through the practice of Vinyasa yoga. Vinyasa yoga can be adapted for most levels, however a previous knowledge of yoga is desirable.

If you have any queries, please contact customerrelations@forestryengland.uk

Forest event
21 June 2024
5pm

About Nile Rodgers & CHIC

Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist.

As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like "Le Freak”, the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records, and sparked the advent of hip-hop with "Good Times."

His work in the CHIC Organization including “We Are Family” with Sister Sledge and “I’m Coming Out” with Diana Ross and his productions for artists like David Bowie (“Let’s Dance”), Madonna (“Like A Virgin”) and Duran Duran (“The Reflex”) have sold over 500 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk (“Get Lucky”), Daddy Yankee (“Agua”), and Beyoncé (“Cuff It”) reflect the vanguard of contemporary hits.

Special guest Sophie Ellis-Bextor and support DECO will also perform on the night.

Forest Live at Sherwood Pines

Sherwood Pines is the largest public woodland in the East Midlands, and one of the county's most well-known forests. It’s the perfect setting for adventure, discovery and live music!

Nile Rodgers & CHIC joins Anne-Marie and Sting at Forest Live 2024 in Sherwood Pines.

About Forest Live

Forest Live is a major live music series held in our nation’s forests. Join us among the trees to hear the best live music, connect with nature and discover unique locations across the country. 

This is the ideal concert experience taking place in beautiful natural woodland arenas every summer, with a relaxed atmosphere and an incredible soundtrack.

Buying tickets from Forestry England helps to grow and protect our nation’s forests for generations to come.

Food and drink

tea and coffee enjoyed at a forest cafe

Sherwood Pines cafe

Relax with a coffee or try one of the legendary sausage rolls, made with locally sourced ingredients.

Whether you've just bought your first bike, honing your skills on the Skills Loop or looking for a two-wheeled family adventure, Sherwood Pines offers all you need for a traffic-free natural cycling day out. There are three way-marked trails to choose from, whatever your ability there's a route for you!  If you've not got you're own bike you can hire one from our on-site partners Sherwood Pines Cycles. 

Like golf, players navigate the 9 hole course, throwing frisbee style discs at fixed targets around our tree line field. Aim of the game, the player with the lowest number of total throws wins.

There are a limited number of permanent courses available around the UK, with Sherwood Pines being the first for Forestry England so head to the forest now to try out this fantastic activity.

Hire discs from the Visitor Centre (card payment only): 

£3.00 per disc £9.00 –  4 discs (hire three, get one free) No need to book. Just turn up on the day.   

If you venture into the deep dark wood, you may bump in to the Gruffalo characters from Julia Donaldson's classic story. 

Not only is the Gruffalo here at Sherwood Pines but we are really excited to have the other characters from the book here too. The Gruffalo is near the Visitor Centre and then if you head down through the play areas you find them all along the woodland. If you ask at the Visitor Centre they will show you the way.

Post your Gruffalo photos on our Facebook page  - we'd love to see them.

We've got three great walking trails to help you and all the family discover Sherwood Pines including the Ranger's trail which explores the outer areas and some of the historic features of this fascinating forest. The trails are all way-marked so no map is required!

Nearby forests

Ancient Oak Tree

With an extensive path network, varied history and special wildlife to discover, Birklands, near Edwinstowe, is a fantastic place to explore. You can access Birklands via the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre

Wildlife to spot

Nightjars, glow worms and thousands of other species rely on the unique habitat of Birklands, so bring your binoculars and a sharp eye - who knows what you’ll see!

Leaves turning orange at the start of autumn

Located near the villages of Blidworth and Rainworth, Boundary Wood is a young woodland with newly planted broad-leaved areas as well as conifers that tower above a beautiful wild-flower meadow. 

Wander the range of surfaced paths that criss-cross through the wood, or explore the SUSTRANS national cycle route that passes through, connecting you to Sherwood Pines in the north or Haywood Oaks in the south. 

Field of purple orchids in the sun

Enjoy the mixture of woodland, wetland and grassland at Oxclose Wood. Banks of orchids, the song of the skylark and the hovering kestrel are all here for you to discover.

The surfaced trails make it a lovely place to walk, reflect, be creative and simply enjoy the beauty around you.

Steep climbs are rewarded with spectacular views and you may even catch a glimpse of a buzzard.

Views from Ollerton Pit Woods, Nottinghamshire

Once a former colliery site, Ollerton Pit Wood now boasts a wild strawberry walk, nesting water birds and a whole host of thriving wildlife and different plant species. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding area and depending on the time of year you visit, you may see butterflies and dragonflies while flower lovers can expect to enjoy bee orchids and birds foot trefoil.

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