Sherwood Forest

With a day to ourselves we decided to make the most of the fuel that was left in the car and combined it with the fuel for getting Emily and Catherine and explore an area of the Midlands we hadn't been to before. The area in question was the famous Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood Fame. It is an area that I have travelled past many times but never really thought to go and visit. 

Today we rectified that and went exploring around the Ollerton Village which is now part of the town of Ollerton on the edge of Sherwood Forest. The village was originally known as Alreton and it is situated on the the old cross roads between York and London, no better a place for Robin to intercept and raid nobles of the time, that is if he ever went there.

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book and was known as for its hop market and it watermills on the river Maun. We went there to see the watermill  which is the only working watermill in Nottinghamshire. It was built in 1713 and remained in use commercially until 1984 before being restored in 1993. Near to the mill is the "The Snooty Fox" with lovely home cooked food and a lovely friendly atmosphere to match. 

Once we had finished in Ollerton Village we went in search of trees. After all you can't have a forest without trees and lots of them should be easy to spot. As it is the original forest that Robin Hood would have know is now been split up into what can best described as mini forests all grouped together. Although not continuos the area is heavily wooded. One of the area we stopped and looked around in was Sherwood Pines Forest Park which is the largest single tract of forest open to the public in the East Midlands. It offers a range of things to do including off road cycling, walking, play areas for children to mention a few. It is a lovely place and the trees are wonderful.

We never did find find the lakes we were looking for but we didn't have a map. I guess they can wait to another day when we have more petrol and can explore area more fully. It is a lovely area.