Prices
Entrance to the Robin Hood Festival is free.
There is a car parking charge of £5 for this event. Season ticket holders park for free. (Why not buy one? Only £15 from Sherwood Forest or Rufford Abbey shops)
Most activities are free, but a small charge is made for Outdoor Theatre Performances (50p per child, £1 per adult), "Have A Go" Archery (£2), trail leaflets etc.
Getting There
Map of the area (map opens in a new window)
By car: Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre is on the B6034 just north of Edwinstowe, between the A6075 and the A616, 20 miles north of Nottingham.
By bus: You can get to Edwinstowe on the Stagecoach bus service 33 Nottingham - Worksop. For full details, times and prices ring Traveline on 0871 200 2233. Most buses stop on High Street Edwinstowe, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the Visitor Centre and park, but they also drop off and collect passengers at the Visitor Centre during the Festival. Check with your bus driver.
By rail: The nearest train stations are Shirebrook (5.79 miles) and Mansfield (7.2 miles). Both are served by East Midlands Trains. East Midlands Trains also run services from London St Pancras to Nottingham, and GNER run services from London Kings Cross to Newark.
By air: Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre is less than 25 miles from Robin Hood airport and just over 38 miles from East Midlands airport.
Nearest ferry port: Hull 49.81 miles
What's On When?
There are activities at the Festival from 11.00am to 4.30pm each day, ranging from jugglers and jesters to outdoor childrens theatre performances. The action is focussed on the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, but you'll also encounter costumed characters and entertainers strolling on the Major Oak path. Jousting takes place on a grassed arena near Edwinstowe Cricket Ground, 5-10 minutes walk from the Centre.
Jousting is on Wednesday 4 August at 2.45pm, Saturday 7 August at 2.30pm and Sunday 8 August at 3.00pm only.
Falconry displays at the Arena take place on Wednesday at noon and 2.00pm, and on Sunday at noon and 2.15pm.
NEW this year! Evening drumming workshops Tuesday 3 August at 7.00pm and 8.30pm.
Exact times and locations of performances are displayed on posters around the site each day. A souvenir programme with a timetable of events for each day will be on sale at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre just before and throughout the event.
You can download a PDF of each days activities [PDF 140KB]
Disabled visitors
During the Festival electric mobility vehicles can be loaned from the Fair Mobility booth in the main visitor car park. There's no need to book these in advance but a security deposit is required. For more information please ring Fair Mobility tel: 07971 878339, or 01949 845189.
All facilities within the Visitor Centre are accessible for wheelchair / scooter users.
The path to the Major Oak usually presents no problems, but be aware that it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach the Major Oak from the Visitor Centre.
More information
For general information on the Robin Hood Festival tel: 08449 80 80 80.
For tickets (certain events only) tel: 01623 823202, but be aware that during the festival, phonelines are very busy. Please be patient.
There's lots more to visit in the Sherwood Forest area. Ring Ollerton Tourist Information Centre, tel: 01623 824545 for information on what to see and where to stay, including camping sites, B&Bs, farm stay accommodation and hotels.
www.visitnotts.com has lots of helpful Nottinghamshire tourism information including online hotel booking.
Opening times, etc
The Visitor Centre site is open from 10am to 5pm, and festival fun takes place from around 11am to 4.30pm each day.
Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead. Pet owners please be aware that some dogs may be nervous of children and crowds.
Cycling is not allowed in and around the Visitor Centre. Please leave your bikes at the cycle racks in the car park and proceed on foot.
Refreshments are on sale at the Forest Table Restaurant, which is open daily from 10.00am to 5pm. There is also a barbecue stall near the Visitor Centre and ice creams are on sale from a kiosk near the Major Oak.
Watch Robin and his outlaws skirmish with the Sheriff's men. Or join in the fun with a Children's Theatre performance outdoors in the forest.
Whichever day you come, there's sure to be plenty of old fashioned family fun. Long live Robin Hood!
View a larger, print friendly version of the festival map [PDF 801KB] 
