Sherwood Forest Time Trail

Sherwood Forest Country Park, Nottinghamshire

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October 2005

11am to 4.30pm

Free admission

Stop press! Enjoy the 2006 Sherwood Forest Time Trail on 30 September and 1 October. Click for details

Our last event of 2005 was an extremely enjoyable, modest-scale multi-period in Sherwood Forest that brought to life some the people and characters who lived in or helped to shape the history of this famous forest from ancient times. The event was organised in conjunction with and on behalf of the Sherwood Forest Rangers and Visitor Centre . The hugely attractive woodland made an ideal backdrop as visitors "strolled through time" around a 1 mile circular pathway via the famous Major Oak, meeting characters from the Stone Age to modern times, with timed displays and ongoing living history to enjoy. Click for photographs.

From ancient settlement, Sherwood became a medieval Royal forest (and, of course, one of the possible homes of the legendary outlaw Robin Hood). The Great North Road ran through the forest and during the Civil War, control of this became vital to both sides. Highwaymen lurked in the trees awaiting travellers in the C18th and later on, much of the forest became a military training ground (and part still is). Today the visitor centre offers a fascinating insight into the history of the forest, as well as an ideal base for a great day out.

The performers were:

Stone age: Ancient Wisdom

Romans & Britons: The Vicus

Normans: The Albini Household

C15th Medieval: The Savile Household

Medieval musician: Windebagge the Piper

Civil War era: C17th Life and Times

C18th highwaymen: Stand and deliver

1914-18: The Manchester Regiment

British army 1980s: Forces 80

Plus pole lathing and (Sunday only), falcons.