Due to the May Day Holiday this week, we had a bank holiday that Chris got to have off from work. We took the opportunity and drove a couple hours away to delve into the world of Robin Hood.
We were having such great weather last week that we were thinking we were done with the cold. May Day took us by surprise as it dawned chilly with intermittent showers. We had come ill prepared with just sweatshirts, but we still had a great time.
First and foremost, we prepped everyone with doing a little background research and freshening up on our Robin Hood knowledge. This was actually the kids’ idea to bring all the Robin Hood books we had at home with us. They compared all the different versions of the stories and tried to deduce what they think actually happened.
Our first stop was at Nottingham Castle.
We got rained on as we trekked up to the entrance.
A few hundred yards further and the sun was back out. True English weather for you.
We enjoyed walking through the castle museum and seeing the medieval artifacts. Because of the movie “Robin Hood” that is just coming out, we were able to go through a short tour of props and costumes that they used for the film.
Underneath the castle are many man-made caves and tunnels. We weren’t able to go down into them, but the kids knocked on some of the outer doors to see if anyone was in them. Nope!
Around the other side of the castle and caves is the oldest English Inn, The Olde Trip to Jerusalem, dating from 1189 AD. It’s built right into the hill. We had wanted to eat here but it is more of a bar, than a family restaurant.
Next we drove up to Sherwood Forest. It just so happens they were having a festival for May Day and Robin Hood and Marion were there as well! I didn’t get any pictures of them but the kids were enamored, watching them act out sword fighting and the romantic love story.
We took a short trek out into the Forest to see the Major Oak.
This was actually our second attempted trek as Cami did a face-plant into the mud during our first attempt and we had to get her cleaned up before starting off again.
The Major Oak was huge and actually has to be supported now. I was surprised to see all the supports holding it up, but what would we do without Robin Hood’s tree?
Our trek back from the forest turned ugly as we watched a black cloud come over top of us. We had to stop and wait a little while for the HAIL to pass.
Such crazy weather! Of course, I was FREEZING! I would never have been able to make it in the medieval times!
We all had a great time seeing everything that we had read about in Robin Hood’s tales.
The one statue that we couldn’t find was that of Robin Hood and Maid Marion. We visited the church where they were supposed to get married before Robin was taken away and walked all around the grave yard looking for the infamous statue. Later we found out it was 200 yards down hill from the church. So close yet so far away!
Of course, what trip would be complete without souvenirs?! This bow and arrow (times 3) came home with us. Emma turned to the more artistic side and got a quill pen and some ink.
A great day out of the city!
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