Robin Hood Festival 2019
Join us for the 35th annual Robin Hood Festival at Sherwood Forest!
This year, the festival will take place from August 5 to 11 – so make sure it’s in your diary! Thanks to Woodhead Homes for supporting us as one of our sponsors! Read on below to find out what to expect, how to plan your day, and a schedule of this year’s performances…
Planning your day at Robin Hood Festival:
Opening times: The festival will run daily from Monday August 5 to Sunday August 11, between 11am – 4pm.
Entrance and Car Parking: The festival is free to attend! The only cost is car parking, which is £6 per vehicle. This year we’re also able to accept card payments upon arrival at the car park. The car park will open from 9am each day. Use NG21 9QB in your satnav and follow signs once closer to site to find our main car park. Accessible parking in adjacent to our visitor centre.
Festival Programme: This year we have a jam-packed festival programme available upon your arrival. Containing your map, performance times, trader information and free kids trail, it costs only £2!
Food and drink: Food and refreshments will be available at the visitor centre, in the amphitheatre and at Major Oak. You’re also welcome to bring along your own picnic!
For more information about the festival and your day here, see our ‘Important Information’ section below.
Robin Hood and his Merry Men:
This year’s festival is promising to be a belter, with a brand-new live show featuring Robin Hood, his merry men, Marian and the Sheriff, as well as tons more to entertain the whole family!
Cavalry of Heroes will be taking on jousting duties this year, with their spectacular show featuring horse stunts, archery, staff fighting and more. Their action-packed shows will put Robin and everyone back in the saddle once more, and take place each day throughout the week, having been designed specially for the festival – and Sherwood Forest is the only place you’ll be able to watch it!
Our wonderful performers:
Comedy, magic tricks, potions, medieval music, falconry, wacky characters and tricks and stunts; our Robin Hood Festival performers really are a brilliant bunch! Get to know our entertainers and read our day-by-day festival schedule to see when your favourite act is performing.
Blast from the Past Brother Boyle
bZents Theatre Co Castle Cleaning Crew
Crazy Dutch Regulars Jack Greene – The Medieval Alchemist
Medieval Maniax The Crazy Dutch Regulars
Past Imagined What a Palaver
More the Merrier Myal Pyper
Nathaniel Bagshot Sloe Gin
No Strings Puppets Robert of Wentbridge
Sir Clank-a-lot Simple Tom
Trevor James Mr & Mrs Ratcatcher
Traders & Stalls:
Each year a wide range of traders and stallholders come to Sherwood Forest to display their wares and talents. This year you can expect to meet the following merchants in the forest:
Buckles Medieval-style Artwork Woodland Spirits
Reach the Core Historic – Archery The Copper Pot
Roo, the Leathercarver Kids Pony Parties
The Roving Apothecary Nature’s Harvest Handmade
Go Active Falconry Creative Kottage
Catapult Castles Glittergem Face Painting
Inspire’s Activity Zone The Woodland Trust
Sherwood Forest Trust Jasper’s Hog Roasts
Frederick’s of Chesterfield
Daily Schedule:
This year we’d argue every day of the festival is as fun and outlaw-packed as the rest! With three Grant Tournaments daily (including the all-important jousting), you can get an idea of who’s performing by clicking on each day below.
Important Information:
SAFETY FIRST
Please take care whilst enjoying this busy event. For your safety, please:
- Take care near the archery stand – stay behind the rope barriers and never walk behind the targets.
- Stay behind the fencing in our arena whilst watching the tournaments.
- Supervise children at all times
- Keep dogs on leads
- Be aware that some shows feature loud bangs
- Take care of valuables on site and do not leave anything on display in your vehicle.
FIRST AID
First aid facilities are available in the visitor centre and at the Major Oak. Please ask a member of staff or follow the signs.
PUBLIC TOILETS
There are only toilets at the visitor centre, which also has accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility. There are no toilets in the forest.
REFRESHMENTS AND SOUVENIRS
Our new visitor centre has a selection of refreshments, including meals, sandwiches, and hot and cold drinks. Our catering van will also be on site, and there is a hog roast and ice creams available at the Major Oak. Pop into our shop or visit one of our festival stalls for a souvenir of your day!
PICNICS
Have fun enjoying a picnic around the site but please ensure you dispose of your rubbish responsibly and consider taking it home to help keep our forest clean and tidy during this busy event. Barbeques are not allowed anywhere on site, including the car parks.
DOGS
Dogs are allowed at the festival but please be aware it is a very busy event and may not be a comfortable environment for some dogs. They must be kept on leads at all times and cannot be left in vehicles. Please clean up after your dog and use the bins provided around our nature reserve.
LIMITED MOBILITY
We have six motorised scooters for hire at the visitor centre – £15 full day and £10 for a half day (1:30pm deadline for morning return) No pre-booking – available on a first come, first served basis. BAD WEATHER – The festival is an outdoor event and performances or events may need to be changed or cancelled at short notice.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Please note there will be photography and filming at the event throughout the week. The RSPB and our partners will use this for promotion of the event, on our website, social media channels and marketing materials. If you do not wish to be in any of these photos, please avoid the photographer or speak to our team for more details.
