The Major Oak — Attraction in Newark and Sherwood

Wow! That just about sums up our trip to the new visitors centre. As a disabled parent with a dog our days out are severely restricted by the physical environment. I am however pleased to say this is not the case here. There is ample disabled blue badge parking including an extra space specifically for the various Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles there are. The lift to the cafe and toilets is large enough to take a sterling sapphire mobility scooter along with four family members and a dog comfortably. Furthermore there are specific disabled toilets (eg not all shared with baby change spaces as there are changing stations in both toilets) there is also a changing places toilet. There are also a number of wheelchair accessible pathways that lead to the major Oak and as a day out it was perfect. We cannot wait to return and hope that dogs continue to be allowed in the cafe incase of inclement weather. The shop is well laid out with plenty of space to manouver and there are picnic benches designed for wheelchair users also. Top marks...

They have thrown some serious money on the visitors centre and it shows. Beautiful design, great gift shop, clean spacious loos (important!) An entire accessable carpark for wheelchairs etc, big lifts and undulating paths so easy access with a buggy.

The cafe was nicely stocked, we had cake, sandwiches and hot drinks which wee lovely. The staff were also friendly and helpful.

The walk to the Major Oak itself was easy, the paths are wide and we'll maintained. There is a good size picnic area and some informative signs. Also, if you do a longer walk, there are a number of benches dotted around for rest stops.

We visited in winter but I suspect in summer there are lots of outdoor activities for all the family to enjoy.

I would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area. Finally, across the road from the visitors centre are some craft shops and cafes (closed when we visited) but it seemed a good place to pop in if walking, bird spotting and tourism are not all...

Not what I remember as a child myself. We took our young children to show them were Robin Hood once lived!! There is an "amusement park" in the carpark which is more of a run down retired fair ground. Although the newly built shop and cafe is a nice looking building it's pretty expensive for items etc. They have a small play park outside but a bit to grown up for young children. Other than that it's a walk to the Major Oak which there you will find the Rspb or some charity with a stall and a couple of their people sat on the fencing in front of the Oak staring intensely at you. Then it's just a walk through the forest. This seems more like a dog walkers paradise and nothing else. Boring for us, boring for the little ones. Maybe my memory isn't as great as I remember because as a child there was more about Robin hood and the...