We've had a spell of very cold weather here in the UK, well, cold for us. Storm Goretti wreaked havoc upon parts of the country but we've been very lucky here in our neck of the woods, the only snowfall we had was overnight into Sunday when we woke to a thin covering. That didn't hang around long, the rain washed it away just as quickly as it had arrived.
Although it was cold on Saturday, it was bright and sunny so we decided to have a trip to RSPB Sherwood Forest.
Sherwood Forest is the remnants of a vast royal hunting ground in Nottinghamshire, now a National Nature Reserve. It's known for its connections to the legendary outlaw Robin Hood.
It was a beautiful day, stunning blue skies without a cloud to be seen and though it was cold, we were wrapped up well so we didn't really feel it.
There are several trails through the forest which cater to different abilities and interests.
It's about a mile and a half to the Major Oak, the tree known as Robin Hood's legendary hideout. It's thought to be about 1100 years old and is now supported by props and bracing in order to preserve it.
The path to the Major Oak is always well populated, people travel for miles to see this iconic landmark, but once past the tree, the forest is much quieter.
It's said that lichen grows where the air quality is clean as many types are highly sensitive to pollutants.
Can you see the face in this tree? I'm not sure the photo captured it as well as we could see it.
It seems there are microclimates within the forest as we happened upon areas covered with frost.
The ground here was rock hard.
Puddles were frozen.
There's no admission fee at Sherwood Forest, car parking costs £6 and you can stay for the whole day. It's free for RSPB members. There's a visitor centre with a shop and cafe and between the car park and the visitor centre is Sherwood Forest Arts and Craft Centre where there's an array of different independent craft shops, everything from candles to fabric crafts. There's handmade soap and jewellery, gemstones and fossils, and a paint a pot studio, as well as many more things to discover. Such a great day out.
I did see the face in the tree, I do love all the different microclimates in any wooded area, lots of different lichens.
ReplyDeleteThere's so much to see when walking through woods. Archie always loved the new smells when walking on a woodland floor, his nose was always to the ground.
DeleteIt's not somewhere I have visited, although it isn't all that far away from us, so I should. It looks lovely with the blue sky. I also saw the face in the tree!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ellie
It's such a lovely place for a walk, and you can take a different path each time you visit so plenty of variety too.
DeleteA perfect day to be out in nature. I live in an area the was formerly woodland and we have huge old oak, birch and pine trees towering over us. I love them, but not when there is a high wind! (And leaf sweeping goes on for much of the year.)
ReplyDeleteIt's been cold but it's beautiful when the sun's shining. Yes, trees are lovely but they can definitely cause extra work in autumn.
DeleteWow very cold where you are, altho we have had frost here in S Wales.. what a wonderful woodland walk and so much to see where you'd think there wouldn't be any, so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love woodland walks as there's always something new to see as the seasons change.
DeleteAren't those old oaks wonderful with all their twisty branches and faces! Sherwood Forest looks a great place to visit, Robin Hood's Oak must have a few stories to tell, I'd love to see a time lapse through the centuries.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to visit places which are steeped in history, when you think back to times long gone, the people who have taken the same steps. It really makes you think.
DeleteWhat a lovely day out ... if ever I'm near it would be on my must visit list!
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy your photographs and yes, I could see the face in the tree :)
All the best Jan
It's a little over an hours drive from where we live but definitely worth it, it's such a lovely day out.
DeleteGoodness those are beautiful pictires.
ReplyDeleteThank you, only taken on my phone. Phone cameras have really improved in recent years.
DeleteThat looks like such a lovely place!
ReplyDeleteIt's so peaceful in the forest, a lovely place to walk.
DeleteLooks like a lovely day out. I wouldn't be adverse to a browse around the shops! LOL
ReplyDeleteThe shops are lovely. Just small craft places but they're like treasure troves.
DeleteWe used to meet up with our Lincolnshire side of the family and meet in Clumber park (part of the forest) for a Sunday picnic with a full roast dinner! We took the camping stove, a small tent and deck chairs and had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThe trees in Scotland were laced with lichen, the air is so good up there. X
That sounds lovely. We love Clumber Park too, as you say, still part of Sherwood Forest but it has such a different feel.
DeleteWhat a lovely post, Jo. I love the shops and all your outdoor pictures. I did not know that about lichen~. Happy weekend-xo Diana
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely to away from the hustle and bustle of life and breathe in all that fresh air, such a lovely place.
DeleteAn enjoyable post and good pictures. A day out like that at this time of year is always welcome. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to have bright, sunny days during the winter months when we can get out for the day. We did wrap up well though, it was chilly.
DeleteHello Jo. It's been very cold here as well. I'm hoping we get a warm-up soon, but I'm not sure how soon that might happen. Your day out to the forest looks and sounds lovely. That blue sky is just beautiful! Blue sky days with bright sunshine are my absolute favorite kind of days!
ReplyDeleteI think the winter months can drag on so it's lovely when there's a break in the weather and we can get out and about. We can wrap up against the cold, it's the rain and wind I don't like.
DeleteI often think of what that tree must have witnessed in all those years
ReplyDeleteMe too. I'd love to know.
DeleteSuch wonderful pictures. The face in the tree is interesting. I have a particular tree I love to visit when I visit a particular cemetery. I see 2 bodies in it and wonder about the story, what has this tree seen? How cool they're trying so hard to preserve a tree so old.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
The Major Oak is looking very old now, it would be wonderful if their efforts allow the tree to live and thrive for hundreds more years.
DeleteI hope the legendary Great Oak of Sherwood Forest has many more centuries of life and that people will continue to preserve it for future generations. We still haven't managed to get to Sherwood, maybe 2026 will be the year. Thank you for sharing your lovely walk.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a wonderful old tree, it would be a shame to lose it, especially with all the folklore which surrounds it. I hope you manage to visit yourself some time soon, it's a beautiful forest and the craft centre is worth a visit too, lovely little shops.
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