Roguely Going Where Robin Hood Has Gone Before...

It was simply sublime.

Sherwood Forest was AMAZING. Robin Hood was one of my favorite stories as a child, though I did not read Pyle's work until recently. However, I am well acquainted with the tales surrounding him through the movies and reading children's versions of the book. My experience visiting Sherwood Forest did not disappoint. Every part of the woods reminded me of the sublime (something uplifting or with a spiritual element that raises you out of yourself). I had a long walk, mostly by myself, through the woods. The majority of the woods were open to wherever you chose to walk. Only a few sections had fences up to protect the herds of English Longhorn Cattle that they were hoping would have better luck in a preserved area (although I must say, I was VERY disappointed I didn't see any!!!)- this struck me as a very odd choice for a forest creature. Deer, yes. Foxes, yes. Bears, yes. But... cows? What ever you say, England. The freedom of walking amongst the trees and getting "lost" in the woods (on a circular path) was wonderful. It was surreal to be in a place where hundreds of people visit daily and spend the majority of your time with no one else in sight. It gave the forest such a big personality and made it easy to see how the characters in the novel could have found such refuge there.

It was very Romantic.

The forest had many examples of Romanticism (something that is beautiful, but melancholy, transient but lovely in passing, and excites emotion). Nature provides a wonderful view on Romanticism because in walking through it, it evokes strong emotions of how beautiful the colors, shapes, and lighting are; yet in every angle there is an element of death and transience. The forest is rarely depicted as a melancholy place in Robin Hood but is instead the life of the party, continually has new growth and Spring, and provides a safe haven for those who have been unjustly wronged by society. The Romantic nature of the setting provides a contrast to the story itself; a story that takes place in the woods that has survived hundreds of years, and is most likely to remain a fixture in literature.

It was Modern.

Even though some of the trees in the woods are hundreds of years old (800 if you ask some people about the Major Oak), there is still a Modern element present (something that makes you think or contains ideas or images that contrast with each other in a way that causes you to see both in a new light). Sherwood Forest was very well kept- there was very little litter/rubbish on the path or in the wooded areas and the natural benches were not carved into with graffiti. While I was walking, a jet flew by overhead and reminded me that, yes, there was still 'civilization' out there, even though I was peacefully captured into the quietness of the wood. It is interesting to see the modern interpretations of the story Robin Hood- there have been so many film versions, books, spoofs and spin-offs because the character types of the novel are still found in today's society.

It was Picturesque.

After wandering in the woods for about an hour and a half, we stopped for lunch near the entrance and ate amongst statues of Robin Hood and The Green Man (well placed). When I finished eating, I went through the museum and gift shop...and it felt like my Early Childhood Ed Mecca. I LOVED the way they walked you through the story. The tablets were very informational, should you chose to read with words. But as any one of my kiddos could tell you, you can read with pictures. Should you choose that route, the museum has done a BEAUTIFUL job making you feel as if you are in the story. There are trees hanging from the ceiling, wooden castles, figurines, interactive kid-friendly informational sound boards, and largely printed headings above each scene that give the walker the sense of story. It was interesting to note that the two lasting images the walker is left with is a large replica of Robin Hood being pardoned by King Richard (which must mean that it is ok that we liked him all along because he is no longer an outlaw) and then a quote, "By tradition, Robin and Marian were married at Edwinstowe Church," then reaffirming the viewer that "The spirit of Robin Hood lives on in Sherwood Forest and in the hearts of those who seek him." We love the addition of Marian to Robin's story, even though she wasn't in the original stories (sorry viewers). The museum also implies that the story must live on through the landscape and in the viewer's heart, which naturally translates to the viewer's pocketbook (ask any woman... if you don't buy it for her, you must not really love her *SARCASM*).


To aid in the quest for Robin, via your pocketbook, the gift shop will offer you a myriad of choices geared at all ages and stages. There are play swords, bow and arrows, felt hats and collars (which I TOTALLY bought), kids versions of Robin Hood (which I may have also purchased, just trying to do my part to aid Robin's longevity), postcards, pens, keychains, etc. for the younger crowd (or at least the young at heart) and tea cups, tea pots, glass figurines, books, and clothing for the more mature of the group. The love story that Hollywood has pushed has been scooped up by the gift shop, with more Maid Marian costumes/tiaras than you can shake a stick at. The story has been played up for the materialistic value much more than the story itself; whereas the Bronte museum was more for the lit crowd so much that you couldn't even buy at Bronte doll (sorry Katie).


All in all, I was overwhelmingly pleased with my trip to Sherwood Forest. After all, what American doesn't love buying in to such a classic hero (and trickster) tale.