Sherwood Forest is a Real Forest

Sherwood Forest is a real forest in Nottighamshire England. Most of us remember it from the legend of Robin Hood.  Not too long ago this forest was running out of trees as it has been forested continuously for centuries. The British government put an end to that buy designating it a National Nature Reserve.

This forest is 1045 acres and surrounds the village of Edwinstowe. Formerly it extended into a much larger area that included parts of the counties along the River Erewash and Derbyshire. The forest now is just a remanent of a much larger hunting area.

It was originally called a Royal Forest because that is what forests where noblemen anew Kings hunted for deer and other animals were called. Once a forest was designated as Royal nobody else but royalty could hunt the red and fallow deer, the roe or wild boar. Keep in mind that in medieval times these animals were meats that were often seen at the dinner table. This concept was introduced in the eleventh century and lasted until the thirteenth. The designation of royal still names these forests today even though it is quite meaningless.

The forest is managed to the Forestry Commission. It now includes Bud by South Forest which is a low lying area of heath.  The oldest plea of the forest is known as the Dukeries and contains very old oak trees.

This part of the forest was known as the Ducaries because it was home to several estates owned by Dukes including Clumber House owned by the Dukes of Newcastle, Thoresby Hall owned by the Dukes of Kingston, Welbeck Abbey owned by the Dukes of Portland and Worksop Man owned by the Dukes of Norfolk.

The forest is also home to the famous Major Oack which was the hangout of Robin Hood. The tree is about 1000 years old and is supported by scaffolding to keep it from falling down.

The forest is also home to Thynghowe which is a meeting place where ancient peoples use to come to settle and dispute issues in an ancient forest.  This magical place of justice thrived between 1334 and 1609.

The forest is quite popular with tourists and attracts 500,000 visitors every ear. Every summer a Robin Hood Festival is held that includes jesters, rat-catchers, musicians, magicians and fire eaters.  Another feature of the forest is the Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Center that boasts a cafe, studios, special events and art exhibitions.