Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre

The Future of the Visitor Centre

Existing plans for a new visitors centre at Sherwood Forest are currently under review with the new administration at Nottinghamshire County Council as they consider how they can most efficiently manage the budget and make savings of up to £40m which are necessary for next year.

The County Council remain committed to constructing a new visitor centre at Sherwood Forest and are currently investigating a range of designs and interpretations which will offer improved value and a first class visitor experience which celebrates the forest and the legend of Robin Hood.

Any new plans will be governed by a robust business plan, by the experience to date and from what was learnt during the public consultation.  This will ensure the new visitor centre is fit for purpose, sympathetic to the natural environment whilst achieving the best possible value for money.

Information and frequently asked questions

Why a new visitors centre?

We’re proud of Sherwood Forest, and feel it deserves a visitor centre which is worthy of its legend and improves the visiting experience for tourists and local people.  The existing visitor centre needs to be removed to help preserve the fragile ecology of the Forest, so generations to come can visit and enjoy the area.  With this in mind we have created ambitious plans for an iconic new visitor’s centre which will be a major national attraction.

In 2002 an agreement was made between Natural England ( www.naturalengland.org.uk) and Nottinghamshire County Council which designated Sherwood Forest as a National Nature Reserve.  Part of the agreement was to divert mass tourism from the most ecologically sensitive areas, one of which is where the current visitor centre is situated.  Careful removal of the existing visitors centre will allow the site to be restored to woodland and heathland and take the pressure off the declining number of veteran oaks, many of which are over 500 years old.

The current visitors centre is now 32 years old; it looks tired and doesn’t do justice to the world-wide legend of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. Currently it attracts 400,000 visitors a year, this is much lower than in past years but a new visitor centre would attract more visitors thereby helping businesses in the region and creating new jobs in local trade and tourism.

Where will it be?

Land for the new visitors centre has been purchased by the County Council from Thoresby Estates.  Know locally as “Naish‘s Field“ the site is east of the B6034 aerial view of the new site [PDF 789KB] and in easy walking distance to the Major Oak with a proposed footbridge linking the new visitor centre to the National Nature Reserve.

The Living Landmarks proposals looked at the feasibility of closing the B6034. This proved very unpopular with local people.  So it has been dropped. There is now NO intention to seek closure of the B6034 instead we are intending to make it more safe with traffic calming measures.

When will it open?

The original ambition to relocate the visitor centre by 2010 will inevitably slip to 2011.  If the business case is accepted by Nottinghamshire County Council, concepts for a new centre could be presented by December 2009 and work could begin on removing some of the existing car parks by late 2010 which will keep our commitment to the 2010 Natura directive.

Only when the new visitor centre is completed and opened will the existing centre close and work begin on removing it.

How will the old visitor centre be removed?

The procedure for removing the old visitor centre is being checked at every step with Natural England, who are the government's national watchdog for nature conservation.  The County Council are acting on their instructions in removing the old centre.

As part of the planning process the County Council have to submit and get approved a detailed "Environmental Impact Assessment".  This has to be scrutinised before any planning permission for work can be granted.  The Impact assessment looks not just at what effect the new centre will have on the ancient woodland, but also the impact of removing the old facilities, and the precise methods intended to be used.  

Tree experts have judged that some of the ancient oaks might well be damaged if all the old foundations were simply ripped out, therefore in cases where removing foundations could potentially harm ancient trees, they should be left and simply covered over.

And Finally.....

If you are a Nottinghamshire resident interested in plans for the new Sherwood Forest send your email address and we will keep you updated on progress.  If so, please e-mail: sherwood.vc@nottscc.gov.uk with your contact details.