Is Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak Circular dog friendly?

Sherwood Forest is a welcoming destination for dogs, earning a 7/10 dog friendly rating. The RSPB visitor centre, café and shop all welcome dogs outside, and the paths are well surfaced and maintained throughout, making for comfortable walking underfoot.

Can dogs be off lead at Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak Circular?

Dogs must be kept on leads throughout the forest at all times, as the rules are in place to protect the ground flora and invertebrates of this National Nature Reserve. This makes it best suited to dogs who are comfortable with steady, on-lead walking rather than those who need a good run around.

What should I know before visiting Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak Circular with my dog?

There are two main route options , the shorter 1.5-mile Major Oak Trail and the longer 4-mile Wildwood Trail, which takes in heathland and birch groves alongside the ancient oaks. Parking is available at the main visitor centre car park, though a charge applies, and weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds.

Walk

Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak Circular

Nottinghamshire

Dog Friendly Rating:7/10A short woodland walk to the Major Oak, the legendary 1,000-year-old tree in Robin Hood's forest.

Sherwood Forest is managed by the RSPB as a National Nature Reserve, protecting one of the largest concentrations of ancient oak trees in Europe. The Major Oak, the legendary tree said to have sheltered Robin Hood, is the headline attraction, its massive canopy supported by scaffolding and surrounded by a protective fence. But the wider forest, explored by the 4-mile Wildwood Trail, reveals heathland, birch groves and areas of newer planting alongside the veteran oaks, some of which are over 800 years old. The shorter 1.5-mile Major Oak Trail is the most popular route. The paths are surfaced and well maintained throughout.

Dogs must be kept on leads throughout the forest to protect ground flora and invertebrates, which makes this dog friendly walk better suited to dogs comfortable with steady, controlled walking rather than off-lead running. The ancient woodland floor carries rich, complex scent from centuries of leaf litter, fungi and the particular earthy smell of old oak forest, and the heathland sections add variety with lighter, more open terrain. Livestock risk is negligible. The RSPB visitor centre has a café, shop and good facilities, all welcoming dogs outside. Parking is available at the main car park. The forest is best visited on weekday mornings to avoid the busier weekend crowds. A historically significant walk in genuinely ancient woodland.

At a Glance

Distance: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1 hr
Walk Type: Moorland, Woodland
Route Type: Circular
Off Lead Potential: Moderate
Livestock Risk: Low
Facilities: Visitor centre, Cafe, Toilets, Shop
Parking: Sherwood Forest visitor centre car park - charged

Dog Friendly Stays Nearby

Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.

Honies Farm Barns - The Barley Store

Nottinghamshire5 star

Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden

from £581 / 7 nights

Book via cottages.com More info