England Robin Hood Festival in Nottinghamshire

Robin Hood Festival in Nottinghamshire, England

Week in late July to early August

The Robin Hood Festival takes place for one week in late July to early August every year in Sherwood Forest, an ancient woodland in Nottinghamshire, England. The event celebrates the life and times of one of the most popular outlaws in the world: Robin Hood. Activities and entertainment include children's theater, strolling players, jesters, jousting, and music. There are demonstrations in such aged arts as falconry and long-bow-shooting, and a medieval market offers a variety of goods. As many as 75,000 visitors take part in the week's activities. The festival is free, with nominal charges for some performances and activities. It has taken place every year since 1975.
Robin Hood is a legendary figure who is portrayed as a romantic medieval bowman who lived as an outlaw in Sherwood Forest, outsmarting and stealing from the wealthy to help the poor and oppressed. Whether or not Robin Hood was based on a real person is a question debated by historians to this day. While several possible candidates have been identified, there is no conclusive evidence pointing to a single man. Some historians believe that the Robin Hood myth may have originated in the pre-Christian belief in a nature spirit or god of the forest.

CONTACTS:
Sherwood Forest Country Park
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre
Edwinstowe
Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire NG21 9HN UK
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/robinhoodfestival