Latest news

Find out more about proposals for Sherwood Forest visitor complex

Updated on: 4 April 2007

North Notts residents are being invited to come and find out more about the proposals for a new Sherwood Forest visitor complex and the Sherwood: the Living Legend lottery bid.

Tree-top views from proposed new visitors centre viewing deck

Edwinstowe Library, High Street, Edwinstowe will be home to a display about the new proposals from Monday 9th April for two weeks and staff working on the bid will be around to answer questions and provide information about all aspects of lottery bid including the proposals for a new visitor centre on:

Tuesday 10th April 9.30am – 1.15pm
Wednesday 11th April 2pm – 7pm
Tuesday 17th April 9.30am – 1.15pm
Wednesday 18th April 2pm – 7pm

Regardless of the outcome of the Sherwood: the Living Legend lottery bid the current visitor facilities, which opened in 1976, have to close by 2010 to protect the sensitive habitat around the current centre and the land returned to a natural state so in future years it will once again form part of Sherwood Forest.

Sherwood Forest Country Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Sherwood Forest has been awarded all of these designations because it is recognised as one of the most important woodland sites in Europe and is internationally and nationally renowned for its nature and wildlife.

This ancient woodland is an irreplaceable part of the UK’s natural heritage. It provides ideal conditions for hundreds of old trees, over 200 different kinds of spider and more than 1500 different types of beetle. The habitat in parts of Sherwood Forest is said to be rarer than the tropical rain forests.

Chris Baron, Vice-Chair of the Sherwood: the Living Legend management board: “This doesn’t mean we’ll be reducing public access to Sherwood Forest or the Major Oak. In fact the path network will be improved with special routes for walking, cycling and horse riding created to help protect the fragile habitats in the National Nature Reserve and provide links to the wider Forest area.“

“At the same time we were thinking about how and where we would provide new visitor facilities at Sherwood Forest, the BIG Lottery Fund launched its ‘Living Landmarks’ scheme. It just seemed to good an opportunity to miss. Out of 300 applicants we are now in the final six and if successful we’ll have the opportunity to provide excellent visitor facilities at Sherwood, create 300 hectares more Forest, help local communities celebrate their links to Sherwood and Robin Hood and provide a new sustainable travel network which will benefit locals, visitors and the environment!“

“I know many people in the north of the County feel passionately about Sherwood Forest and our cultural heritage. I hope North Notts residents will take the opportunity to go along to Edwistowe Library to find out more.“