April events at RSPB Sherwood Forest and Budby South Forest
We start April in cracking style at RSPB Sherwood Forest and Budby South Forest with our Easter Family Trail, running from 2nd – 24th April.
Find the ginormous eggs hidden in the Forest and see if you can work out from our clues which bird has laid which egg. Look out for the bunnies with brightly coloured tails too.
The trail is ideal for young children and their parents and carers. There’s no need to book. Just pick up an answer sheet for just £2.50 each from the Visitor Centre, any time from 11am-3pm – and there’s a delicious prize waiting for when you return.
Melt away your cares among the trees
Try the very relaxing technique of Forest Bathing+ on Saturday 2nd April (10am-12pm) with trained instructors from the Forest Bathing Institute, who will guide you through the trees in a way that helps your cares melt away.
The science of forest bathing originated in Japan, where millions of people each year head out into the woods for true wellbeing.
Find out more and book by clicking here.
Living the legend
There will be Pay and Play Archery all day on 4th and 5th April, at £4 for six arrows. No booking required.
You can take a trip back in time on 9th April (11am-12.30pm) on a tour of Myths and Legends with the Master At Arms, William de Tankerville, the Sheriff of Nottingham’s most trusted warrior.
This 90-minute tour will be filled with the incredible stories of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, not to mention his foes, the Sheriff and Prince John.
The tour costs just £5 (£4 for RSPB members) and can be booked through our website. Click here for more details and to book. Please note that a booking fee applies.
A Tour of Sherwood Forest with the Sheriff of Nottingham is scheduled for 16th April (10am-11am). He may be the dastardly Sheriff, and he may not be too keen on Sherwood’s outlaws, but this is a family-friendly walk for just £5 per person (£4 for RSPB members). Click here to find out more and to book (booking fee applies).
St George’s Day on 23rd April will be marked with two events steeped in legend.
You can enjoy the Myths and Legends with the Master At Arms (details above. Book here for this event), before the amazing Sherwood Outlaws performing arts group mark the celebration of England’s patron saint with a variety of exciting activities. More details to follow.
We’ve got Have-A-Go Archery from 30th April-2nd May with qualified instructors to help anyone aged three and over to get to grips with a bow and arrow. No need to book for this event, which costs £5 for six arrows.
Seeing stars at Sherwood
On 26th March and 9th April, you can join members of the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society for an evening of Stargazing at Sherwood.
The astronomers will share their knowledge of the night sky to help you get a better understanding of the stars and other astral bodies. The session runs from 7pm-9.30pm and costs £15 per person (£12.50). Booking for this fascinating event is essential and can be done by booking 26th March session here and clicking here for 9th April A booking fee applies.
Get to know nature
It’s an early alarm call for our Redstart Ramble on the morning of Sunday 24th April.
Join our expert guide to find these beautiful birds as they start to return to Sherwood from their wintering grounds in Africa. It’s a great way for novices and more experienced birders to find redstarts, as well as other wildlife.
Meet at the Visitor Centre at 8.15am for this two-and-three-quarter hour tour.
Booking is essential and costs £10 per person (£8 for RSPB members). Book by clicking here. Once again, a booking fee applies.
And we finish April with a celebration of our amazing bees. Our Bee Weekend from 30 April – 2nd May is completely free with stalls selling products created from honey and beeswax, and experts from the Nottinghamshire Beekeepers Association to explain why we need to look after these perfect pollinators.