Walks Around Britain

An easy walk - great for families - through the historic Sherwood Forest past the Great Oak - will Robin Hood be around the next corner?

We're filming this walk soon, so it isn't ready here yet to watch, but you can still follow the route directions and the map.

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• Look at the main entrance to Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre from the car park, turn left and follow the well-signposted route to the Major Oak.

• The path completes a semi-circle around the impressive old tree. Follow the path as far as the junction with a signposted public bridleway. Turn left here and walk this straight and uncomplicated route for ¼ mile (400m), ignoring all paths off.

• At a green warning sign about the military training area, the main path bears left. Instead go straight ahead, past the metal bar gate, for a path that continues over a crossroads to become a wide, fenced track through Budby South Forest.

• At the far side, go through a gate and turn left on to an unmade lane, and walk this undulating route for ¾ mile (1.2km).

• Just before the plantation begins, take the left turn indicated 'Centre Tree'. Here, good views of Budby South Forest is on the left.

• Keep to this straight track and where the track divides into two parallel trails, either can be used.

• When you reach the Centre Tree, the two routes converge to continue past a bench down a wide avenue among the trees. Don't go down this but instead turn left and, ignoring paths off right and left, carry straight on along the main track back into the forest.

• After almost ¾ mile (1.2km), bear right on the main track, ignoring the path straight ahead. At a large junction of criss-crossing routes go straight on signposted 'Fairground'.

• This wide sandy track descends to a field by Edwinstowe cricket ground. The Art and Craft Centre and youth hostel are on the far side, and the village centre beyond.

• Follow the signposted track back to the visitor centre and car park, past the cricket ground.

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Distance 5.5 miles (8.8km)

Minimum time 2 1/2 hours

Ascent/gradient 278ft (85m)

Grade/Paths Easy - Easy woodland tracks and wide forest rides

OS Map Explorer OL270 (Grid SK 626676)

Dogs? Dogs on lead near Visitor's Centre

Parking Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre (pay-and-display)

Public Transport By Bus -

Toilets/Refreshments Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre

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