Discover winter nature and scary surprises at Sherwood Forest in January
Discover winter nature and have fun at Sherwood Forest this January.
The historic home of Robin Hood is set to host a series of events, starting off with a Fools’ Parade from the visitor centre to the 1,100 year-old Major Oak.
The parade will be held on January 8 to celebrate Twelfth Night and formally bring Yuletide festivities to a close.
It will be a chance to have fun and dress up in the silliest outfits and hats.
Two self-led Christmas trails, Robin Robin and Mission: Merry Christmas will also continue until January 8, priced at £3 and £3.50 respectively.
The festive fun will make way for something scarier as the Krampus — creatures of Alpine legend — will lurk amongst the trees on the weekend of January 21 and 22.
On the Saturday a lantern-lit parade will take place from the Major Oak to the visitor centre.
Visitors can make their own lantern at the centre throughout the day ahead of the march which starts at 3pm as dusk begins to fall across the forest.
On Sunday the Sheriff of Nottingham will lead a noisy parade to the Major Oak to scare the Krampus away.
Afterwards the Sheriff will lead a traditional wassailing ceremony to wish for the health of the forest for the year ahead.
All events are free to attend although there is a small charge for the lantern making sessions.
Other activities taking place through January include the Bambini Binocular Bumble on January 15 — a guided wildlife-spotting walk where children can learn how to use binoculars and where to see birds, mammals and other wildlife moving among the bare branches.
The Bumble is just £5 per person and £4 for RSPB members. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.
On Saturday January 21, a tree expert will lead the Winter Tree Identification Walk — showcasing the large variety of trees in Sherwood Forest, home to one of Europe’s largest collections of ancient oak trees, hundreds of which are over 500-years-old.
Tickets are £7.50 per person and £6 for RSPB members.
Booking for both of these events is essential and can be done via the Visit Sherwood website
