We want to transform the way that local people can actively get involved and shape the Forest’s future.For gamers seasoned enough to have played with the Amiga, Commodore 64, and Nintendo Entertainment System in the mid-1980s, Cinemaware's Defender of the Crown probably sticks out as one of the era's most notable multi-platform releases.
Local people and community groups will be encouraged and supported to take part in projects aimed at learning about, celebrating and conserving the area’s heritage. It focuses on the heart of the Sherwood Forest area from Nottingham to Ollerton, and Mansfield to Rufford Abbey, an area that has a distinctive landscape character, which is recognised and valued by local people, as well as visitors from across the world. Miner2Major is a five-year scheme (2019-2023), supported by a £2,450,400 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This is the latest phase of long-term efforts to restore, explore and celebrate the Forest. Miner2Major is a partnership of local authorities, conservation groups and community organisations who have been working in the Sherwood Forest area for many years. It still has quiet places, stunning landscapes, history, wildlife, legend and a sense of belonging, but the great forest and heaths are now just patches in a landscape of industrial heritage. The last 200 years have changed the area. The legendary Sherwood Forest is a significant and celebrated landscape due to its diverse wildlife, important habitats and rich heritage. Here’s what the whole scheme is all about. Already, it has supported work we are doing here to tell the stories of Robin Hood and the Major Oak at Sherwood. We’re thrilled at Sherwood Forest to be working with the Miner2Major partnership which is helping communities celebrate the rich heritage of this area. You can find out more in our latest news stories. Our conservation team hope that in time the site will restore to wood pasture, with some heathland and acid grassland, typical of how it would once have looked – maybe even how Robin Hood would have remembered it! This will help create new homes for wildlife as well as four hectacres – that’s about the size of six football pitches – of extra forest for our visitors to explore and enjoy! This will allow visitors to watch nature at work here, without impacting on it! The area is very sensitive after years of being so busy, and now needs a little time to recover. We’ve cleared all the concrete and hard-surfacing from the site, and are now fencing the area.
Sadly, whilst visitors loved the old site in the trees, it was having a damaging effect on this special place. Our ancient oak trees need greater protection, which is why the visitor centre had to be relocated away from the forest. This is a Special Area of Conservation and also a Site of Special Scientific Interest – designations given to areas of real natural importance. This has included removing the old buildings and car parks very sensitively, to avoid any damage to the nearby trees, some of which are more than 500 years old. Currently, we are carrying out the restoration of the old visitor centre site.