Sherwood Pines is the largest Forestry England pine plantation in the East Midlands, set in what was historically Sherwood Forest. It’s one of the standard family MTB destinations for the wider Nottingham area, with a strong green/blue trail offering plus a more serious red loop for fit intermediate riders.
What to expect
Five waymarked trails. The Family Cycle Trail (green, 5km) is genuinely flat and surfaced — suitable for kids on small bikes. The Adventure Cycle Trail (blue, 7km) introduces gentle singletrack. The Kitchener Trail (red, 13.5km) is the headline ride — longer, more technical, with proper rolling singletrack and a few quick descents. A pump track and skills area completes the venue.
Practical notes
Open year-round. Sherwood Pines Cycles at the visitor centre handles hire, repairs and bike-wash; the cafe is decent. Forestry England operate the site — parking fee at the main car park. The forest is well-signed and family-friendly, which makes it busier than wilder trail centres on summer weekends. Best as a half-day or full-day venue; not a weekend destination on its own.
Train, parking, drive…
- Train
- Mansfield (East Midlands Railway) or Newark, then taxi
- Parking
- Sherwood Pines visitor centre, pay-and-display
- Postcode
- NG21 9JL
- Drive
- ~2h30 from London, ~30 min from Nottingham
- Car-free?
- Possible
Transport details are best-effort and worth double-checking on the day — rural buses and station services change with the timetable.
If you’ve got an extra day…
- Peak District climbing 1h west
- Peak Airsports paragliding in Chesterfield
- Walking the Major Oak loop on a rest day
Plan it yourself.
The most authoritative sources we know of for this trail — routes, conditions, governing bodies and operators. Open in a new tab.
