Edwinstowe Things to Do

Thoresby Colliery Welfare Band was founded in 1948, following the disbanding of the nearby Welbeck pit band, who used to accompany the Edwinstowe Armistice Day Parade.

The colliery manager embarrasingly had to lead the procession with a gramophone player! It wasn't long before the redundant instruments from Welbeck were bought for a fair price, and the new colliery band was in business!

Thoresby soon gained local, then National and International fame, through concerts, tours and recordings. Dame Judi Dench is their Honorary Life Vice- President

The Thoresby Youth Band, are also gaining a reputation for their performances.

Following the decline in the mining industry, many of the colliery bands have disbanded, but Thoresby continue, aided by Lottery grants for provision of instruments.

I never fail to get a lump in my throat, or a tear in my eye, whenever I hear the haunting tunes played by a Brass Band.

The band play a varied programme of traditional marches and hymns associated with Brass Band music, as well as arrangements of popular hits and film tunes.

They hold band practices weekly on Tues and Thurs @ 19.45 in Edwinstowe Miners Welfare Hall. (I'm not sure if these are open to the public or not)

Forthcoming Appearances - check the website

The Lime Tree Pie shop sells wonderful pies, both sweet and savoury. They are packed full of quality meat, or veg, or fruit. The mouth watering light shortcrust pastry is hand rolled. It's hard to believe that the bakery produces 10, 000 - 15, 000 quality pies each week!
This shop supplies Apple Pies to the Royal Estate of Sandringham.

If You don't get the chance to visit, You can buy online, LINK or from a variety of outlets including shops and markets nationwide

My favourites are the Beef in Guiness, Game pie and Pork in Stilton. As a special treat, the Autumn fruits in mulled wine smells and tastes doubly delicious!

Check the web site for more info re pies and where to buy

Ten workshops housed in a newly built light and airy pleasant building.

Pine Furniture, glassblowing (with chance to decorate your own paperweight), Coppersmith, signcasting, faux stone lampmaker, fossils; crystals and gemstone crafts,glass candlework, paintings, rubber art stamps, and medieval inspired soft furnishings and ceramics.
Demonstrations at various times of the individual crafts.

Well worth a visit, either for browsing, buying or ordering that individual family heirloom.

Free admission
1April-30 Sep open Tues -Sun 1000-1700
Some studios open Mon
1 Oct -31 March open Wed - Sun 1000-1600
Some studios open Mon/Tues

Cafe produces and sells a variety of hot/cold foods. Home Baked cakes must be tried!Childrens portions. Disabled access

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the site where King Edwin of Northumbria was buried prior to his final burial in Whitby Abbey, and the alleged place where Robin Hood and Maid Marion were wed, this church has much of historical interest.

However, the oldest part remaining is the Norman priests doorway in the chancel.
The 700 year old tower and spire provide a landmark .Most of the windows are medieval, the font is dated 14th century (my nephew was christened here) with many more features from different ages.
The Forest Foot..is an example of an old measuring device situated on the north aisle wall. Apparently a forest foot was about 18" long, used for measuring land.

Open Easter to end Sept (dependent on available stewards) 12.00-1600
w/ends to 1800 when possible
other times by prior arrangement .

Admission free (though I'm sure donations for upkeep are welcome)
email vicar@edwinstowestmary.freeserve.co.uk

This is the oldest Oak Tree in the forest. A Map dating around 1791, marks a tree called Major Rooke. Apparently Major Hayman Rooke was an expert on Sherwood, this being his favourite tree. I always assumed it was called The Major Oak due to it's size.

Upto the mid 19th century locals knew it as The Cockpen tree, as its hollow bark was the roosting place for game birds, around the 18th century it was known as The Queen Oak, though I'm not sure why!

Of course, the Major Oak is known worldwide for its connection with a certain Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men! Although the famous legends have been told for over 600 years, historical evidence is difficult to obtain as these stories were told, and rarely written (due to most of the locals being illiterate)

Later, Emiline Pankhurst visited the Major Oak, when 32 of her fellow suffragettes crammed into the tree!!

When I was a child, growing up in this area, we used to be able to hide too, inside the tree, but due to deterioration , and in order to preserve it, you are now not able to enter the tree trunk, having to content yourself with viewing from behind the wooden fence.

Ok, if you're not as lucky as me, to have parents living very near (within walking distance) you'll have paid exorbitant parking fees and probably queue for an age to get in.

So, nows the time to make the most of it!

The Sherwood Forest Visitors centre is fairly compact, but there is a cafe, souvenir shop, tourist info shop and small theatre to view a film about the history of Sherwood Forest, plus a very small playground/ climb all over the figures in the pic!!

There are also guided walks and an area with bird boxes etc.
Paths through the forest are well posted, and with information about the flora, fauna and history of the area.

At different times of the year, there are themed events, eg Christmas (with lights etc) Halloween (spooky walks)

This is the place to buy your post cards, Robin Hood souvenirs etc.

The Tourist Info Office offers loads of info re events/places to visit/bus time tables etc etc..for Edwinstowe/Nottinghamshire area.

There are often buses at the weekends and Bank Hols direct from Nottingham, Worksop, Chesterfield to the centre.

Not to everybodys taste, but this small fun fair on the edge of the forest offers a distraction for children.

There has been an annual Fair in Edwinstowe since 1381! A Royal Charter granted that this yearly event be held on the Vigil and Day of Saint Eadwin, which was around 24th October.
A toll was paid to the church.

Today, the fair is managed by the Turvill family, who have had associations with this fair for over 2 centuries!

Rides such as a ghost train and mini dodgems, as well as traditional "Hook A Duck" and penny arcade. Hot dog stall too.

Near the entrance are 2 boards with painted pics of Robin Hood and Maid Marion, with holes cut out, for you to place your head for a photo!

The Fair usually arrives around Easter, then packs up at the end of September, and travels to the annual Goose Fair in Nottingham, which is held, as it has been for centuries, on the 1st weekend in October. This is one of the largest Fairs in the country, and is a must see!
As well as rides, there are food stalls, fortune tellers, guess your age entertainers, plus lots more. Bags of atmosphere!

Around Edwinstowe, theres miles of woodland walking opportunities. Either just do your own thing, or there are guided walks from The Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre.
In the tourist Info office, there are booklets which offer a variety of trails for walkers/cyclists etc.