School Visits to Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve comprises 450 acres of ancient heath and forest.  It is famous worldwide as the legendary home of Robin Hood, and one of the oldest areas of native woodland in Europe.  The park provides an inspiring outdoor classroom for school groups.

Sherwood rangers with children

We offer environmental education sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (only). Ranger led activities cost £40 per session or £80 per 2 hour session. Here is a list of activities offered:

Guided Walk

Adapted for each group, these walks can be designed around any group of any ability and interest. When booking it is advisable to talk about your exact interests so we can tailor the walk to your needs. Time and distance are variable depending on a group's ability or timetable. Subjects range between Sherwood Habitats, Tracks & Signs, Mammals, Birds & Reptiles & Amphibians. (Suitable for all ages. 1 or 2 hour sessions)

Medieval Life & Robin Hood

Travel back in time to the 13th century and discover what life was really like in the Royal Hunting Forest of Sherwood (Ages 7-11 years. 1 or 2 hour sessions)

Get To Know Trees

A simple introduction to trees, their function and importance in today's world. Focus wil be placed on the different sections of the tree and also the basic differences between trees. (Ages 4-7 years. 1 hour session only)

Trees & Woodland (Older children)

A walk through the ancient forest of Sherwood to identify the tree species. Measure the height and girth of trees and discuss their place within the wider picture of forestry. (Ages 7-15 years. 1 hour session only.)

Mini Beasts (April to August only)

Over 1500 species of invertebrates have been discovered at Sherwood Forest, many of which are associated with dead wood. During this activity children are introduced to the world of mini beasts (invertebrates) and by the end will be able to recognise several species using simple keys. (Ages 7-15 years.  1 or 2 hour sessions)

Centre Orienteering

An ideal starter course to introduce the basic concepts of map reading and orientation. This course takes oplace around the visitor centre and students are asked to find 15 points which are marked on a map procvided. The course is suited to introducing map features at a basic level. (Ages 5-9 years. 1 hour session only)

Self Led Visits

Why not order a copy of our comprehensive Teacher's Pack. This is an excellent resource for background information and history of the site.  It includes plenty of suggestions for self-led class activities which can be run by yourself with your group when visiting Sherwood Forest.

The pack costs £12, and can be ordered by telephoning the Visitor Centre, tel. 01623 823202, open 10.30am - 4pm.

You may wish to hire the Forest Classroom as a base for your activities. Cost £15 per day.

In addition, we can provide equipment and activities for the following self led activities:

Parachute & Games Pamphet

The paraschute is a useful way of involving a large number of people in an activity at the same time and because of its novelty even those who tend to opt out are inclined to get involved. Between 20 and 50 children can be directly round the edge and as most games are aimed towards promoting co-operation rather than competition it is a perfect activity for new classes and creating togetherness as a group. (All stages. £20)

Way Marked Trails

We currently have a self guided leaflet available in Visitor Information and reception. The Blue Trail takes you on a 45 minute circular path round the Major Oak.  The Green Trail takes about an hour and skirts along the Longhorn Cattle enclosure. The Red trail takes approximately 2 hours and leads around the forest. (All ages. FREE)

Shelter Building / Settlement

Life as an outlawin 1248 was a lot different to life today. Travel back to the time when the Sheriff of Nottingham's men patrolled the forest in search of outlaws. As you become outlaws and become aware of the danger present, you need to constrcut a shelter in the forest using natural materials found on the forest floor. (Ages 7-16 years. £20)

Waking Up Your Senses

This activity is aimed at allowing children to get in tiuch with their surroundings through using their senses, and to appreciate the sounds, smells, textures and colours of the forest. The hour is split into four activities each focusing on a specific sense. By the end the aim is to help the group be more aware of their own senses and also of those used by animals in the forest. (Age: Reception and KS1. £20)

Music in the Forest

Sherwood Forest is full of natural sounds, like birds singing and the wind blowing through the trees to more man-made sounds like feet crunching through leaves and cars rushing past on the road. This activity encourages the pupils to listen and study these sounds and develop their own interpretaton of sounds hey hear on the musical instruments provided. This activity can be done either in the middle of the forest or in our open air theatre. (Ages 5-11. £20)

Mini Beasts (May-September only)

Over 1500 species of invertebrates have been discovered at Sherwood Forest, many of which are associated with dead wood. This activity introduces children to the world of invertebrates and shows them how to identify several species using simple keys. (Key Stages 1&2. £30)

Centre Orienteering

An ideal starter course to introduce the basic concepts of map reading and orientation. The activity takes place around the visitor centre and students are asked to find 15 points marked on a map provided. (Ages 5-9. £20)

Wildwood Art

A forest full of light, shape and colour is the perfect environment to develop creativity within children. Pupils will be encouraged to further their own ideas and feelings, and create patterns, shapes and masterpieces using the natural resources around them. Not only does thsi activity develop their creativity but also an understanding of the visual, tactile and sensory qualities of natural materials. (KS1 & 2. £20)

Forest classroom

A classroom is available for hire, located close to the Rangers' Office and Visitor Centre reception. This seats approximately 35 pupils, with floor mats available for extra seating. You can also hire the classroom as a convenient 'home base' for the class to leave bags and coats, eat lunch etc.

Hire cost £15 all day.

The Oak tree.

Information leaflet

Ring for a copy of our teachers' information leaflet about activities for schools at Sherwood Forest and also Rufford Abbey Country Park.

Peter Pearson, tel: 01623 821327

or download a PDF copy of the information leaflet [PDF 4.6MB]

Booking and payment

All school visits should be booked in advance, and activities paid for at least two weeks before the visit.  We can accept payment in cash or by cheque made payable to Nottinghamshire County Council.

Supervision

The supervision and safety of all pupils whilst on site is the responsibility of the teacher.  We recommend a maximum pupil-teacher ration of 10 to 1.  Please note that during ranger led activities, rangers will act as guides and instructors, but the overall responsibility for the group remains with the teacher.

First Aid

Our rangers are first aid trained, however, all visiting groups must have a qualified first aider and carry a first aid kit at all times.

On the day

On arrival please report to the ranger team at Visitor Reception.  Please try to arrive promptly so as to get the most from your visit and to avoid disrupting other group's visits.  Activities normally go ahead whatever the weather, so remember to ask pupils to come dressed for the outdoors with warm waterproof clothing and wellies or stout shoes.
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