At one time if an arrow had gone flying past ones head in this area of Britain chances are it would have been the great man Robin Hood himself, or at the very least one of his band of merry men.
Today, however, life is a little bit more laid back in Nottinghamshire. No longer do people fear for their lives unless of course they are unfortunate enough to bump into the towering Gruffalo.
Sherwood Forest has long been known by both locals and others alike as the place of myth and legend and whether these stories are true or not thousands flock to this area each year in the hope of discovery and perhaps the making of their own tale of folklore.
So where should you stay whilst visiting Sherwood Forest?
Are you and your family the outdoorsy, adventurous type? Do you enjoy hanging from high wires, long bike rides in the fresh air and getting back to nature with long walking trails to explore? Perhaps, you are the kind of family who like to completely switch off from the world, leaving the phone and more importantly work at home, in order to benefit from some quality time together. Either way Forest Holidays could have the perfect solution for you.
Set in extensive woodlands far away from the thriving city of Nottingham, this is a location hard to beat. Each lodge is surrounded by lofty pine trees creating a canopy of green high above your heads with many featuring their own, private hot tub for those that enjoy a relaxing bubble break just as the sun is about to set on yet another restful day.
If you enjoy nature there are a multitude of different country walks situated right on your doorstep. It is not uncommon for guests to see herds of deer roaming around the nearby brush-land, or kestrels flying high above their heads. If you would like to get even closer to birds of prey you can always enrol for a morning of fun with the team from Hawks of Steele; a family run venture that will allow you to get up and personal with kestrels, owls and eagles.
The Accommodation
So what can you expect?
Each lodge is hidden away, many being completely private and each benefiting from a secluded decking area to relax on. Nearly all of the lodges here do come with their very own hot tub which means that you have the freedom, no matter what time of day, to unwind and de-stress. There is something to be said for watching the sunset whilst lazing in a steaming bath of bubbles.
Inside, the lodges are spacious, ranging in size from two to five bedrooms and all are tastefully decorated in crisp creams, accentuated with soft furnishings in warm deep plum. With a large, spacious open plan living room, kitchen-diner and a floor to ceiling glassed wall you really do have a sense of openness, even those that suffer with heightened claustrophobia would be at ease here.
With a log burning stove and an interactive TV system it is easy to see why people opt to stay in one of these luxury cabins, whether it is during the height of summer or on a cold wintry evening. Rested after a hard-day of exploring the local area and just before jumping into the hot tub for your nightly dip what could be better than ordering your dinner through the television to be delivered directly to your front door.
Where to eat?
If you would prefer to eat in the company of others then why not head down to the Retreat where a selection of hot meals are available from early morning until 8pm each evening. We can personally highly recommend the homemade soups available for those searching for a light lunch.
For anyone feeling slightly more adventurous there are also ‘bush-tucker’ style options often available for you to try, including grubs and nettle teas.
If you are after something more substantial then head to The Dog and Duck in Clipstone, just a 5 minute drive or a leisurely cycle away from the site. Here you can indulge in hearty home-cooked foods whilst enjoying the quirky decor and the soft background music. Alternatively there are many other takeaway options in the nearby village that once again are happy to deliver to your front door.
Our Final Thoughts
This is a great family escape, packed full of activities to keep even the biggest of kids happy. With all the home comforts you could ask for and many more perks as well this is a great place to visit either as a family or with friends.
During our stay we invited our family along with us to enjoy a few days away from the hectic rat-race and everyone agreed that it was the ultimate place to get away from it all.
Whether you are after a couples retreat of a weekend of family fun this is a location that would be hard to beat.
Disclaimer: We did received a discounted stay at Sherwood Forest but as always all thoughts and opinions are our own.
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I grew up a short distance from here. Not sure whether I have been, but vaguely remembering at about 8, going to Sherwood forest and seeing the great Oak tree, that Robin Hood was meant to have hid in
We also visited Major Oak whilst we were up in Nottingham – I have to say I was a bit disappointed after all the hype!
I love Sherwood Forest and the area.
Must get back some time.
Great post 🙂
Paul is originally from Nottingham so we tend to visit quite frequently but I am ashamed to say that this is the very first time I have been to Sherwood Forest – I would definitely visit again though 🙂