Line Hooded
Line Hooded
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See Nottingham from a new angle - the Robin Hood connection
Your visit to Nottingham wouldn’t be complete without a hint of Robin Hood. Although the accuracy of the legend is sketchy, you can’t argue the impact this folklore has on the city.
Nottingham is understandably proud of its legendary outlaw, with roads, places, running festivals, businesses, inns and others taking his name. There’s even the Robin Hood Line linking Nottingham to Worksop via Mansfield by train.
The extent of your desire for a Robin Hood experience will dictate how much you immerse yourself in the story. From supping archery-inspired cocktails in a city bar to retracing the man-in-green’s legendary trips across Nottinghamshire, the only limit to Robin Hood county is the length you’re prepared to go!
One place at the heart of the legend is Nottingham Castle, home to the outlaw’s arch rival the Sheriff of Nottingham. Situated only a five-minute walk from Market Square and symbolising Robin Hood’s quest to steal from the rich to give to the poor, a statue of our accomplished archer - bow and arrow trained at the castle - lays in wait outside the walls.
The castle sits proudly on a rock for spectacular views over the city. Totally destroyed after the civil war, it was replaced by a magnificent ducal mansion before being converted into a museum and art gallery. It’s worth the short walk from the city centre to immerse yourself in the spirit of a local legend – drink in the atmosphere at the site of his final standoff with the Sheriff and stealth around the caves underneath. If it all sounds like thirsty work there are some cracking pubs along the way too!
The most obvious excuse to break out of the city is a trip to Sherwood Forest. Once a royal hunting forest stretching to the Yorkshire border, today it is part of a National Nature Reserve. With 900 aged oak trees across a 450 acre site it’s no wonder the Forest’s biggest draw is its ancient Major Oak. The hollow trunk of this 800-year-old, 23-tonne forest veteran was a handy hideout for Robin Hood’s merry men.
As you navigate Nottinghamshire you’ll see many signs of local pride in the local rapscallion. It’s branded itself Robin Hood county and even dubbed the route between Nottingham Castle to the Mansfield Church where Robin and Maid Marian married the “Robin Hood Way”. This 105-mile course is the most famous long-distance route in the country, telling stories about places Robin lived, fought, hunted and stalked the rich.
Sherwood Forest’s Robin Hood Festival in August is a great excuse for Nottinghamshire to crank its Hood factor up to the max. There are plenty of activities – with jousting, falconry and open-air theatre welcome distractions from the city’s scores of pubs.
If you’re straying no further than the city centre, Nottingham Castle throws a Robin Hood pageant in October. With the grounds transformed into a medieval village, dabble in 12th century pastimes like firing arrows, wood carving and sinking well-earned brews in the ancient alehouse with some of the legend’s most colourful characters.
About the Author
John Tarr is a copywriter for Stag Weekends. Learn more about Nottingham at http://www.stagweekends.co.uk.
