Discover What's Around the Corner
Enjoy something special in every season
Nestled in Old Ollerton, in the heart of Sherwood Forest, our two welcoming, dog- and family-friendly holiday cottages place you close to over 60 attractions within 20 miles. Whether you’re planning peaceful woodland walks with muddy paws, fun-filled family adventures, or days spent exploring historic landmarks, there’s always something new to discover. For everyday ease, you’ll find local favourites close by, from cosy pubs and cafés to restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations, and pharmacies, all within 3 miles of the cottages, so you can relax and enjoy your stay from the moment you arrive.
Outdoor Adventures& Activities
A Bit Adventurous!
The Adrenalin Jungle Nottingham is set in the heart of Sherwood Forest, covering over 150 acres of woodlands; it is the largest multi event outdoor activity centre in the East Midlands.
Rufford Abbey
Set in the Sherwood Forest's countryside, Rufford Abbey is your ideal family day out with walks through the picturesque grounds, places to relax, eat, and all year seasonal activities.
Where Legends Grow – Sherwood Forest
A legend in the making for over 1,000 years, Sherwood Forest is a unique habitat for wildlife and a magical destination for over 350,000 visitors.
Clumber Park
With 3,800 acres of parkland and a large lake, Clumber Park is perfect for relaxing, exploring, and spending time together. Plan walks or bike rides, visit the walled kitchen garden, and discover the National Rhubarb Collection.
The Paddocks at Clumber Park – Dog Friendly Adventures
A three pawprint rated, dog-friendly destination where dogs are welcome in most areas, including indoors for a cuppa and a treat. The Dog Paddock in Cow Pastures offers a safe, secure off-lead area with agility equipment and free access.
Cycle Routes at Sherwood Pines
Have an adventurous day out in the great outdoors at any time of year. Explore one of the Midlands’ most well-known forests with activity trails, play areas, bike hire, wild running, and mountain biking routes for all abilities.
Go Ape! Sherwood Pines
Six brilliant outdoor activities for adults and children, including thrilling treetop challenges and dual zip wires reaching speeds of up to 20mph, all nestled in the heart of Sherwood Pines.
Golf Courses & Walking Trails
Tee off at over 20 nearby golf courses or explore three great waymarked walking trails, including the Ranger’s Trail and dedicated 5km and 10km running routes through Sherwood Pines.
Gruffalo Orienteering Course – Sherwood Pines
A fun, family-friendly navigational challenge using simple maps to find Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood, with three routes for all ages.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Try the thrill of clay pigeon shooting at a professional shooting ground near Mansfield. With expert instruction available, it’s an exciting outdoor activity for beginners and experienced shooters alike.
Adventures in Nottinghamshire
Enjoy high-flying fun on treetop courses, bounce in the Net Park, and race across a 100m zip wire, all set within a scenic nature reserve and reservoir.
Holme Pierrepont Country Park & Water Sports
Set in 270 acres of parkland, enjoy activities from white water rafting and paddleboarding to climbing walls, archery, mini golf, and an inflatable Aqua Park.
Vicar Water Country Park
A Green Flag award-winning country park offering fishing, cycling, dog walking, wildlife watching, horse riding, waymarked trails, and a visitor centre café.
Hellfire Alley Mountain Bike Trail
An intermediate-level mountain biking route for riders seeking speed and challenge, with detailed trail routes and fitness guidance available online.
Orienteering at Boughton Brake
A fun navigational challenge using maps and control markers to test your route-finding and decision-making skills in a forest setting.
Pedal and Play Trail – Sherwood Pines
Discover the Pedal and Play Trail at Sherwood Pines, a family-friendly cycling route filled with fun features and forest adventure. With gentle paths and playful obstacles, it’s the perfect introduction to biking for younger riders.
Alpaca Experience Newark
Meet and walk friendly alpacas through beautiful countryside near Newark. This unique experience lets visitors get close to these gentle animals while enjoying a relaxing and memorable outdoor activity.
Rother Valley Country Park & Aqua Park
A year-round family destination with bike tracks, lakeside walks, and one of the UK’s biggest inflatable Aqua Parks featuring slides, trampolines, and climbing walls.
Lockwell Hill Go-Karting
A thrilling 720-metre outdoor karting circuit offering practice sessions, group races, junior and adult karts, and events for parties and corporate days.
Derbyshire Pony Trekking
The Midlands’ premier off-road horse riding experience, offering year-round trekking for beginners and experienced riders in small, relaxed groups.
Mill Waters Canoeing & Nature Reserve
Enjoy adventurous canoeing sessions tailored to your skill level, surrounded by wildlife-rich habitats perfect for exercise, socialising, and relaxation.
Love Open Water Swimming – Hoveringham
Safe, lifeguarded open water swimming sessions with regular water quality testing and a welcoming community of swimmers, including free hot drinks in winter.
Archery at Sherwood Forest Activity Centre
Learn to shoot like Robin Hood with professional instructors guiding beginners and experienced archers through bow handling, aiming, and precision shooting.
Little John Lakes – Fishing
A popular commercial fishery offering great year-round fishing, three well-equipped lakes, comfortable pegs, and regular open matches.
History, Heritage& Culture
Explore Creswell Crags
The extraordinary archaeological park! Walk in the footsteps of early humans and woolly mammoths through the dramatic gorge. The Ice Age rock art is still visible in the extraordinary caves.
Visit Newstead Abbey
From Romantic poet Lord Byron through Medieval, Gothic Revival and Victorian Revival, Newstead Abbey is a treasure trove of the rare, beautiful and historically significant, set within 300 acres of parkland, gardens, and a stunning estate.
Britain’s Finest Victorian Waterworks – Papplewick Pumping Station
Designed in the early 1880s to pump millions of gallons of clean, fresh water every day to the rapidly increasing population of Industrial Nottingham, this beautifully preserved site showcases Victorian engineering and design.
Southwell Minster
The Cathedral of Nottinghamshire is rich in historical and architectural interest, featuring fine examples of Norman and Early English architecture, and set within a beautiful boutique village.
Patchings Art Centre
Walk the Artists’ Trail featuring 62 mounted paintings from Caravaggio to Lowry. Use the free Patchings App to experience augmented reality versions of master artists and their works.
National Holocaust Centre & Museum
The UK’s only national museum dedicated to Holocaust education, offering powerful exhibitions designed for visitors aged 12+ that explore history through personal stories and experiences.
Hardwick Hall
A spectacular Elizabethan house built by Bess of Hardwick in the late 1500s, filled with rich furnishings, tapestries, and stunning surrounding estate grounds.
Newark-on-Trent
A quintessential English market town featuring a historic riverside castle, National Civil War Centre, cobbled marketplace, antique shops, cafés, and Georgian Town Hall.
Nottingham Castle
Discover tales of Robin Hood and rebellion, explore historic caves, and enjoy curated art collections and exhibitions in this iconic hilltop castle.
Welbeck Estate & The Harley Gallery
Enjoy great food, art, and shopping in a beautiful rural setting. Explore artisan makers in the Courtyard and contemporary exhibitions at the award-winning Harley Gallery.
Thoresby Hall Hotel & Spa
Unwind at this magnificent former Victorian stately home offering luxury spa facilities, heritage charm, and original architectural features in the heart of Nottinghamshire.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Believed to be one of the oldest pubs in the UK, this iconic alehouse beneath Nottingham Castle serves traditional ales, local brews, and legendary tales.
National Justice Museum
Explore five floors of history in a Grade II* listed Shire Hall, featuring a Victorian courtroom, Georgian gaol, ancient cells, and costumed characters from Nottingham’s past.
Nottingham Caves – City of Caves
Discover over 800 hidden caves beneath Nottingham’s streets and explore the largest publicly accessible section of this vast and fascinating underground network.
Pleasley Pit Mining Heritage Site
Explore an interactive museum showcasing coal mining history, steam winding engines, artefacts, and exhibitions, set within a nature reserve with an excellent café.
DropWorks Distillery
Europe’s largest rum distillery offering fun, guided tours, unique ingredients, world-first equipment, and plenty of rum tastings.
D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum
Visit the authentic miner’s cottage where world-renowned author D.H. Lawrence was born, featuring original artworks, exhibitions, and countryside walks that inspired his writing.
The Workhouse & Infirmary, Southwell
The most complete workhouse in existence, exploring Victorian welfare, education, healthcare, and the lives of the poorest members of society.
Bolsover Castle
A fairy-tale Stuart mansion with lavish rooms, romantic ruins, family-friendly challenges, and extensive grounds offering breathtaking views.
Mr Straw’s House
A beautifully preserved time capsule of 1920s family life, offering an intimate glimpse into a bygone era filled with original possessions and personal stories.
Green’s Windmill & Science Centre
A working historic windmill and hands-on science centre exploring electricity, magnetism, light, and the legacy of mathematical genius George Green.
Family Days Out
All Year Round Family Fun – Wheelgate Park
There is so much to see and do at Wheelgate Park. More than just a theme park, there’s plenty to enjoy whatever the weather, with themed seasonal events throughout the year.
Jurassic Cove Adventure Golf
A prehistoric-themed outdoor adventure golf experience in Nottingham — perfect for families looking for fun and a bit of friendly competition.
Squeals of Fun! – White Post Farm
Plenty to do come rain or shine, with friendly animals to meet both indoors and outdoors. Enjoy indoor and outdoor play areas from the Jungle Barn and Miniville to Merv’s Hideout, Skyjumpers, the beach, and GoKarts.
Sherwood Forest Railway
Nottinghamshire’s only narrow gauge steam railway, nestled between Mansfield and Edwinstowe. A great-value family day out with outdoor play areas and picnic spots.
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre & Events
There’s always something magical happening, from festivals and story trails to bug hunts and seasonal events that add extra adventure to your visit.
Sundown Adventureland
One of the UK’s best theme parks for toddlers, with over 30 rides and attractions across 50 acres, offering indoor and outdoor fun whatever the weather.
Sherwood Harmony Horses
Gentle coaching and wellbeing sessions with mini horses, supporting emotional resilience, horse care learning, woodland walks, and bespoke group experiences.
Quad Biking for Kids – Crazy Bugs
Explore woodland trails and bumpy terrain with adrenaline-filled quad biking experiences, guided by trained instructors and full safety briefings.
For the Little and Big Kids! – Mr Mulligans’ Pirate Golf
Navigate your way around a huge pirate ship, lakes, waterfalls, rafts, cannons, and even a resident crocodile. A fun attraction for all ages, perfect for days out, children’s parties, team building, and corporate events.
Tropical Butterfly House
A tropical adventure featuring amazing animals, family events, playparks, and a relaxing café, offering something for everyone.
Indoor Activities
Lost City Adventure Golf
Two indoor 18-hole courses set in a dramatic rainforest environment with interactive features, thunder, lightning effects, and fun obstacles for all ages.
Thoresby Hall Spa
Relax in the elegant surroundings of Thoresby Hall Spa, offering soothing spa treatments, a pool, sauna and tranquil relaxation areas. Perfect for a luxurious day of pampering in the Nottinghamshire countryside.
Houdini’s Escape Room Experience
Immersive escape room adventures including prison breaks, prehistoric beasts, and magical wizarding challenges for families, friends, and corporate events.
Aqua Sana Forest Spa Nottinghamshire
Escape to the heart of Sherwood Forest and unwind at Aqua Sana Forest Spa. Discover 25 nature-inspired spa experiences across six tranquil zones, all set around a beautiful open-air courtyard pool – the perfect place to relax, recharge and reconnect with nature.
Indoor Go Karting
Experience high-speed indoor karting at TeamSport Nottingham, one of the UK’s top electric kart tracks. Race around multi-level circuits, tackle tight corners and long straights, and challenge friends and family for the fastest lap in an adrenaline-filled day out.
Sherwood Observatory & Planetarium
Learn about the cosmos with wrap-around planetarium shows, telescope stargazing, and interactive exhibits exploring galaxies, space science, and the night sky.
Golf Fang Nottingham
Step into a world of neon lights, street art and immersive crazy golf at Golf Fang Nottingham. This vibrant indoor course combines creative holes, music and themed spaces for a fun and unforgettable night out.
Slick City Nottingham
Enjoy an action-packed day at Slick City Nottingham, home to thrilling indoor slides and adrenaline-fuelled fun. Race friends down giant slides, test your skills on obstacle features and experience one of the UK’s most exciting indoor adventure parks.
Planet Bounce Inflatable Park
Jump, climb and slide your way through Planet Bounce, a giant indoor inflatable park packed with obstacle courses and bouncing fun. Perfect for families, groups and energetic adventurers of all ages.
Odeon Cinema Mansfield
Enjoy the latest blockbuster films at Odeon Cinema Mansfield. With comfortable seating, modern screens and a great selection of snacks, it’s the perfect place for a relaxing evening out.
Mansfield Superbowl
Enjoy classic ten-pin bowling fun at Mansfield Superbowl. With modern lanes, arcade games and food available, it’s a great activity for families, groups and friendly competition.
Destino Padel – Farnsfield
Try one of the world’s fastest-growing sports at Destino Padel near Farnsfield. Combining elements of tennis and squash, padel is easy to learn, social and great fun for players of all abilities.
Wollaton Hall & Natural History Museum
Enjoy free daily entry to Natural History collections, the Great Hall, Bird and Fish Rooms, and the stunning Long Gallery within this historic Elizabethan mansion.
Nottingham Climbing Centre
Enjoy bouldering and rope climbing with extensive facilities including lead lines, auto belays, training areas, café, and kids’ party rooms.
National Ice Centre – Torvill & Dean Rink
Skate on the iconic rink named after Olympic legends Torvill and Dean, welcoming millions of skaters for public sessions and events.
I-Fun Trampoline Park – Mansfield
High-energy indoor fun with interconnected trampolines, foam pits, climbing walls, dodgeball courts and soft play areas — perfect for families, rainy days, and birthday parties.
The Museum of Curiosities
A four-floor adventure through rare taxidermy, historic oddities, and mysterious artefacts, guided by friendly experts sharing eerie legends and fun facts.
South Forest Leisure Complex
Enjoy swimming, slides, inflatable sessions, a jacuzzi, and gym facilities — check the website for session times and availability.
Eat, Drink & Transport
Restaurants, Gastro Pubs, Bistros
Show list
The Lansbury
The Royal Oak, Edwinstowe
The Olive Garden
Rose Cottage, Rufford
Forest Lodge Hotel
The Dog & Duck
The Village Kitchen
Bella Vita
The Café in Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Pines Café
The Ollerton House
The Alders Pub
Zazee’s
McDonald’s
The Big Fish
The Miners, Edwinstowe
Fables Coffee House
Also
Olde Red Lion, Wellow
Pubs
Show list
Ollerton
The Alders Pub
The Ollerton House
The Plough Inn
Edwinstowe
The Royal Oak
Forest Lodge Hotel
The Dukeries Lodge
Wellow & Rufford
Olde Red Lion
Rose Cottage
The Maypole Inn
Kings Clipstone
The Dog & Duck
Buses to Edwinstowe, Newark, Nottingham
Local Essentials
Supermarkets
Petrol Stations
Show list
