Edwinstowe Village, the Dukeries and beyond

We are located in the historic village of Edwinstowe, which takes its name from the 7th Century King Edwin of Northumbria, who died nearby in battle against his Mercian rival Penda.

Over the centuries Vikings, Normans, kings and dukes have lived or spent time here and in the Royal Hunting Forest of Sherwood.

Today, the village proudly celebrates its connection with the legend of Robin Hood – you can see it in the names of the shops and other businesses along the high street.

We share Forest Corner with a wonderful art and craft centre. We even have YHA Sherwood Forest on our doorstep – a great place for relatives and friends to spend some quality Sherwood time together.

If you want to follow the Robin Hood story, there’s lots of places with connections to him, including beautiful St Mary’s church, just a few minutes’ walk from the Visitor Centre and the very spot where Robin and Marian were married…so legend has it.

Find out more about the village’s fascinating history here.

If you’d like a more active history lesson, you can take the new Spirit of Wartime Sherwood Trail or discover the Robin Hood Way, linking Nottingham to Edwinstowe and beyond.

And talking of ‘beyond’, the area is steeped in history.

At the edge of the reserve is evidence of Viking occupation of the area at Thynghowe, which also has its own trail.

King John’s Palace, a medieval hunting lodge used by the eponymous monarch, is a scheduled ancient monument at nearby Clipstone.

Welbeck and Rufford abbeys, two of the stately homes which gave rise to the area being named The Dukeries, are a matter of minutes from Sherwood, with Newstead, the home of the romantic poet Lord Byron, not too far either.

And into the city, you will find the historic home of the Sheriff at Nottingham Castle.

Discover more about visiting Nottinghamshire.