In the forest of a folk hero

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 13 years ago

In the forest of a folk hero

Robber?s refuge ... Sherwood forest bluebells in spring.

Robber?s refuge ... Sherwood forest bluebells in spring.Credit: iStock

As Russell Crowe's new film about Robin Hood nears our cinemas, David Whitley ventures into Sherwood Forest.

IF HE were around today, Robin Hood would struggle to hide out in Sherwood Forest for long. On the flip side, he'd have plenty of people to ambush.

Sherwood Forest, north of Nottingham in England's East Midlands region, attracts about 500,000 visitors a year. Some are locals on weekend jaunts in the countryside but many come from around the world on the trail of an outlaw who probably never existed.

The Robin Hood legend has shown remarkable stamina. It has morphed wildly over the years - with Chinese martial arts and spaceman versions among the most outlandish. The latest incarnation hits screens on Thursday.

Ridley Scott's big-budget Hollywood epic, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, will inevitably send more people scurrying among Sherwood's giant oak trees. And while they're at it, they can get a behind-the-scenes look at the film.

Universal Pictures has teamed up with councils and tourist boards to put on a Robin Hood exhibition. This is split over two sites - the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre and Nottingham Castle.

Props and costumes from the film are on display and video loops explain the difficulties production designers encountered creating everything from mediaeval carts to ivory-coated books. The exhibitions are small and only mildly gripping but the story of Sherwood Forest is far more interesting.

Senior ranger Paul Cook is constantly pointing things out as we take the mile-long round walk from the visitor centre to the Major Oak.

The Major Oak is the most famous tree in the forest and, legend has it, was where Robin Hood would hide from the Sheriff of Nottingham. The tree is between 800 and 1000 years old, has a circumference of 10 metres and is held up by an impressive array of props and pulleys.

Advertisement

But did Robin Hood ever hang out there? "Of course not," Cook says. "In his day, it would have only been a sapling." The Major Oak could deal with the Merry Men, though: Cook tells me 18 England rugby internationals once squeezed into its hollow interior.

It's not the only monstrously-sized oak in the forest. There are just under 1000 "veteran" oaks of more than 300 years in Sherwood. They're surrounded by much younger siblings and Cook tries to explain the enormous age gap.

"They would use 2000 mature oaks to make just one battleship - many of which were used to fight the Spanish Armada," he says. "And they didn't practise sustainable replanting in those days."

Sherwood oaks were also highly sought for building projects; much of the wood panelling at St Paul's Cathedral in London is made from them. Nowadays, however, Sherwood Forest is a nature reserve and the old trees are protected. Rather than materials for architects and shipbuilders, the oaks are home to owls, birds of prey and other woodland creatures.

Other sites supposedly linked to Robin Hood have been put together as a self-drive trail. It's also worth downloading the excellent audio guide that covers this collection of beauty spots, abbeys, caves, castles and country parks. As well as explaining links to the mythical hero in each place, it also explores the evolution of the story itself.

Robin Hood is almost certainly a conglomerate character - folk tales about various outlaws were combined and re-attributed. It was a long time before any of the tales were written down but six ballads survive from mediaeval times.

Hood received a new lease of life under the rule of Henry VIII in the 16th century. The Tudor king enjoyed dressing up as the outlaw and found Hood's anti-monk tales to be handy political ammunition. Plays were written, characters such as Maid Marian were introduced to the story and there have been thousands of iterations since.

The character has meant something to everyone over the years and it's no surprise that just about every place in north Nottinghamshire claims to be an integral part of the legend.

For those eager to live out Robin Hood fantasies, salvation is a 10-minute drive away from the visitor centre.

England's last bow-maker is Keith Gascoigne, of KG Archery. He makes bows by hand for clients around the world from his unassuming factory and shop in the village of Walesby. His wife, Christine, gives archery lessons out the back.

She's a patient coach and she has to be, as I continually fire arrows wide of the target (or "face"). Christine has pedigree. She has coached Olympic archers; two of her former students went on to win gold at the Athens Paralympics. Her mantra is "archery is the elimination of all variables".

Repetition and focus appear to be the keys. When I finally hit the

bull's-eye, I let out a yelp of joy and Christine congratulates me.

"Oh, and it's called a gold, not a bull's-eye," she adds.

My Olympic ambitions are somewhat crushed when I ask for a comparison point. "Well, they shoot from 70 metres and you're shooting from about 15," comes the disheartening response.

Marian, it's fair to say, would not be impressed.

The writer was a guest of Experience Nottinghamshire and Premier Inn.

Trip notes

Getting there

Nottingham is less than two hours north of London by train. Flight Centre is offering flights from Sydney to London priced from $1480; 13 31 33, flightcentre.com.au.

Staying there

The Premier Inn in the city centre of Nottingham offers superb value priced from £29 ($48) a night for a double room. www.premierinn.com.

See + do

The Robin Hood exhibition at Nottingham Castle and the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre are open until the end of October 2010; visitnottingham.com.

Ranger-guided walks around Sherwood Forest can be booked in advance by groups. Or check for dates at www.sherwoodforest.org.uk.

KG Archery offers one-hour archery lessons for £25. Advance bookings are essential; +44 1623 835050, www.kgarchery.co.uk.

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter

Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading