Sherwood

Sherwood Forest is a Royal Forest famous for being the home of the legendary Robin Hood. The forest is part of an older and much larger royal hunting forest, which got its name from its status as the shire , orsher//,// wood  of Nottinghamshire which extended into several neighboring counties, bordered on the west along the River Erewash and the Forest of East Derbyshire. Sherwood Forest is home to the famous Major Oak, which, according to local folklore, was Robin Hood's principal hideout. The oak tree is between 800 and 1,000 years old and, since the Victorian era, its massive limbs have been partially supported by an elaborate system of scaffolding.  Each summer, the park hosts the annual, week-long Robin Hood Festival. This event recreates a medieval atmosphere and features the major characters from the Robin Hood legend. The week's entertainment includes jousters and strolling players, dressed in medieval attire, in addition to a medieval encampment complete with jesters, musicians, rat-catchers, alchemists and fire eaters. by: Jack Lohman