Originally one of England’s 65 royal forests, Sherwood escaped the ravages of commercial forestry thanks to protective laws applying to royal hunting lands. This poachers’ paradise became an oulaws’ lair, notably for Robin Hood and his men. The forestry was cleared, giving way to heathland with conifer plantations. The Sherwood Forest Country Park and Visitor Centre is 1.5km north of Edwinstowe; at Walesby, The World of Robin Hood recreates medieval Nottingham with spectacular special effects.