Robin Hood Festival brings 24 days of events, from films to jousting, to Sherwood Forest

After three years away, the Robin Hood Festival returns to Sherwood Forest this summer.

The event, which celebrates the world’s most famous outlaw, will run over seven weekends.

There will be 24 days of events, including historical re-enactments from the Vikings to the Middle Ages.

It begins with the forest’s first outdoor cinema event on Saturday, July 16, with Disney’s Robin Hood at 4pm, and A Knight’s Tale at 7pm.

On July 23-24, there is jousting with the Knights of Nottingham plus music, magic, comedy from Medieval Maniax.

July 29-August 1, sees the Lord Thomas Stanley Retinue, bringing a taste of the Tudor times and a medieval sports day.

August 4-7 sees the Cavalry of Heroes bringing displays of medieval horsemanship, including jousting and archery.

Visitors can relive the time of the Vikings from August 12-15 with Regia Anglorum and also enjoy twilight story walks into the heart of the forest.

Weekend six is about the work of the RSPB, which manages the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.

Finally, over the Bank Holiday Weekend Sherwood Outlaws perform the legends and battles of Robin Hood.

Jess Dumoulin, visitor experience manager at Sherwood Forest and Budby South Forest, said: “We know many people have waited a very long time to come back to the Robin Hood Festival and it’s brilliant to be able to confirm its return this summer.

“The pandemic meant that we lost two years of this great event, which has been so popular with visitors over almost four decades. We hope to really capture the spirit of the Middle Ages, the time that the legends of Robin Hood took root.

“We wanted to ensure that as many people as possible could come along and take part, which is why have decided to hold it across seven weekends. It means visitors can come and enjoy a whole range of different shows and displays at different times across the weekend.

“There will be battles and skirmishes, but also times for quiet enjoyment. We’ll have entertainment across the reserve from the Visitor Centre to the Major Oak and there will be lots for everyone to see, experience and enjoy.”