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A woodland circuit from the Sherwood Forest main car park on Swinecote Road, following the full red Wildwood Trail through the national nature reserve and visiting the Major Oak. The route includes the signed pedestrian approach from the car park, so it is a little longer than the trail measured from the visitor centre. Allow about 2 hours 45 minutes at a steady pace with time to look at the ancient oaks.
Leave by the car park's southern pedestrian path and use the marked crossing of Swinecote Road. Continue along the pavement to Forest Corner and the visitor facilities. The outward leg heads into the woods, joins Broad Drive and turns west before taking the diagonal path towards the western forest boundary. Follow the red Wildwood markers north and then east along the woodland and heathland margin around Seymour Grove. Turn south towards the Major Oak, stay outside its protective fence, then take the winding eastern woodland path back towards Forest Corner. Return to the car park using the west-side pavement and the same marked road crossing. Take care at this crossing and watch for cyclists and horses on shared bridleways.
Expect natural and compacted woodland paths, roots, uneven ground and muddy patches after rain. Wear footwear with grip. The visitor centre has toilets, a cafe and a shop; there are no toilets out on the reserve. Dogs must be on leads around the visitor centre and wherever signs require it, especially at grazing enclosures, and otherwise kept within sight and recall. Do not enter fenced grazing areas except through signed routes.
Use the main public car park accessed from the B6034, rather than the no-stopping turning circle outside the visitor centre. Parking is normally £7 for the day, with RSPB members free except on advertised special event days. Winter car park hours from 21 September 2026 are 9am to 4pm, so check the current visitor information and entrance signs before setting off.
Route and access information: RSPB Sherwood Forest Wildwood Trail and the 2025 reserve map at visitsherwood.co.uk/explore-the-forest/walks-and-trails/, checked October 2026. Follow any current ranger signs on the day.
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