Edwinstowe, River Maun and Sherwood Forest, 2nd March 2025

 Anny's 6-mile walk took 18 members from the RSPB car park in Edwinstowe round the outskirts of the village before crossing the Mansfield road and dropping down to the River Maun for coffee.  After ¾ mile, we then turned north to enter Sherwood Forest near Archway House, recrossed the Mansfield Road and headed to the Centre Tree.  After passing the ancient oaks of Birklands some of the group diverted to the Major Oak before finishing at the Visitor Centre for a picnic and/or refreshments.

Good, dry paths and, at last, blue skies and sunshine.  Who needs Lanzarote?

Setting out round the cricket field

Debris on the River Maun.  The river is part of the Rainworth Water, Rivers Meden, Poulter, Idle, and Ryton catchment which together drain about a third of Nottinghamshire into the Trent at West Stockwith

Approaching Archway House

The Neutral Ground represents the boundary between the Thoresby and Welbeck Estates and has been traditionally managed as a holly-lined strip of acid grassland with patches of heather at the northern end of which is the Centre Tree.  The 4th Duke of Portland had an ambitious plan to build 20 lodges from Welbeck to Nottingham but only Archway House was built.  It used to offer views of the Centre Tree through its archway.

The Centre Tree

Ancient oaks in Birklands

Major Oak

(Some of) the group at the Major Oak.
Thanks Tracy for the photo

Robin Hood at the Visitor Centre