Forest Holidays Sherwood Forest — Local services in Newark and Sherwood

Mixed feelings about this holiday. Would we go back...possibly but wont be our first choice. We stayed in number 26 silver birch.||Pros|Over all the lodge was clean (apart from the mattress protector- see below) - it smelt strongly of bleach when we arrived so we aired out the building. ||The lodge inside was comfortable with plenty of space. No cobwebs on ceilings. All sofas and beds are raised so it's clear to see and clean under them. ||There are plenty of places to walk and things to do not far from the site. ||The area around the lodge is surrounded by trees and the lodges have plenty of space between them. ||The decking area is lovely - yes it has leaves etc but that's to be expected.||It is very dark at night so you will need a torch if you go out. Great for stargazing as there little light pollution. ||There are lovely big windows to enjoy the view from the main living areas. I can see it being very hot though if the weather is warm. It was just right when we were there - we kept all the windows and the back door open all the time apart from evenings. ||There's a large Tesco and an Asda a short drive away.||We liked the enclosed cloakroom as you enter so you can sit and take off footwear and coats before coming into the main lodge . There plenty of storage in there for shoes and coats. It also helped to stop our dogs going straight outside when the main door was opened. ||Cons|We were not warned about how many steps there were to get into the lodge, or how steep and uneven the pathways/ road are (all very dusty hardcore limestone gravel). We came with a blind disabled young man so this caused a few issues for him. We did inform the site there was someone with mobility issues before we came. ||We also have a very old dog who is also blind and struggles to walk - he had to be carried from the lodge up to the field near the reception to enjoy a walk somewhere flat. ||Before we left we stripped the beds - one of the mattresses protectors had someone else's body fluids on and lots of long dark hairs from someone all over it! The main bed had a large squashed fly between the protector and the bottom sheet. ||The toilet had 2 disc shaped flush buttons on the left of the toilets on the wall. These were very (!) hard to flush and awkward to reach.||The hot tub was full of debris when we arrived. (Some is to be expected with trees overhead).||Checking in wasn't a great experience. It wasn't clear where to go when we arrived. We parked in a small public car park on site and had to walk a short way to the forest retreat building. This has a bar, small shop, cafe etc all under the same roof so was busy. We were met at the door by a lady who checked us off a list. She asked us to scan a QR code which sent you to their app to download. The app has some info etc regarding the site. There's no signal there so I took a photo to sort it later. She then sent us to the cafe area to see a 2nd lady. We had to wait to see her as she was with another family checking in. The seats were covered in paint. The 2nd lady gave us some paperwork and told us the lodge number and quick directions. (I took a photo of the map they have which helped as the signage isnt great on site). We were then sent to the bar to get our key where we had a form to complete first - why this couldn't all have been done by 1 person is beyond me. Again it was awkward to navigate all this with a blind person with me. ||The integrated dishwasher was loose.||The fridge is missing some shelves which limited storage space. It was only a small under counter fridge so with 5 people staying it wasn't easy.||Tv is limited to a few free view channels and you cant stream from your phone without paying them for it. ||Checking out - we left a night early. We cleaned the lodge and went to the forest retreat to drop the keys off. I had to stand for a while at the bar before any one acknowledged me. I told the girl we were leaving early and gave her the keys. I was asked if everything was OK but got the impression she wasn't listening properly when I told her about the stains and hair on the beds. ||Over all - The forest is pretty but full of brambles around the lodges. Theres a fair bit of litter (bits of wrappers, hair bands, etc). There is a better forest area to the bottom of the hill - I think.thats where the site do their den building activities for the kids etc. It was very expensive in every respect - for the holiday itself plus all activities available for kids - these also need an adult present who also have to pay. Food delivery (takeaways) and any other optional extras are...

When we first decided to book a stay at Sherwood, we were a little hesitant. We had come across a few negative reviews online, and while we know that sometimes a disgruntled few can color the whole picture, it still left us wondering if we'd made the right choice. However, after our recent 4-night stay, we can confidently say that the experience far exceeded our expectations—and here’s why.|The Lodge: Comfort, Cleanliness, and a Great Location|We stayed in the Silver Birch lodge, which was absolutely perfect for our needs. The lodge was immaculately clean, well-equipped, and comfortable—everything we needed for a relaxing getaway. The homey touches and spacious interior made it feel like a real retreat from the daily grind.|Yes, there was some ongoing work being done by the National Grid in the area, but honestly, the disruption was minimal. We were given a small refund as a gesture of goodwill, which we hadn’t even asked for, showing that the management genuinely cares about the guest experience. It was a nice surprise and reflected the thoughtful customer service we received throughout our stay.|Relaxing Nights Under the Stars|One of the standout moments of our trip was spending time in the hot tub. There’s something magical about sitting in warm water under the clear night sky, watching the stars, and catching glimpses of multiple Starlink satellites passing overhead. It was a perfect, peaceful way to wind down after a day of exploring.|Welcoming Hosts and Helpful Staff|From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed. Angela, the host, greeted us warmly and made sure we had everything we needed to settle in. Later during our stay, she even stopped by to check in and ensure everything was going smoothly. It’s these little touches that really made a difference and showed the genuine care the team has for their guests.|Exploring Sherwood Pine Forest and Beyond|The location of the lodge couldn’t have been better. Just a short walk from the Sherwood Pine forest, we were able to enjoy some beautiful woodland walks right from our doorstep. The forest is a real gem, offering peaceful trails and a lovely natural atmosphere. Whether you're an avid hiker or just looking for a quiet stroll, it’s the perfect spot.|Sherwood also offers plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. There’s something for everyone, from mountain biking trails to the adventurous Go Ape course (though we skipped that one, given our age). If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll definitely find something to suit your interests.|Day Trips: Rufford and Clumber Park|If you're looking for some scenic day trips, we highly recommend visiting Rufford Abbey and Clumber Park. Both are just a short drive away and offer beautiful parks to explore. We spent a lovely afternoon at Rufford Abbey, wandering around the gardens, and Clumber Park was a wonderful place for a longer walk to take in the countryside views.|Final Thoughts: A Memorable Trip Despite the Reviews|In the end, we’re so glad we didn’t let the negative reviews deter us from booking our stay at Sherwood. It turned out to be a truly enjoyable experience, with great accommodation, welcoming hosts, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. While every stay can’t be perfect for everyone, our experience was overwhelmingly positive, and we left feeling refreshed, recharged, and grateful for the memories we made.|So, if you're reading this and feeling skeptical, don't let a few bad reviews stop you from having your own great experience. We certainly don’t regret our stay—and we're already booked our next visit a bit further...

When we first decided to book a stay at Sherwood, we were a little hesitant. We had come across a few negative reviews online, and while we know that sometimes a disgruntled few can color the whole picture, it still left us wondering if we'd made the right choice. However, after our recent 4-night stay, we can confidently say that the experience far exceeded our expectations—and here’s why.|The Lodge: Comfort, Cleanliness, and a Great Location|We stayed in the Silver Birch lodge, which was absolutely perfect for our needs. The lodge was immaculately clean, well-equipped, and comfortable—everything we needed for a relaxing getaway. The homey touches and spacious interior made it feel like a real retreat from the daily grind.|Yes, there was some ongoing work being done by the National Grid in the area, but honestly, the disruption was minimal. We were given a small refund as a gesture of goodwill, which we hadn’t even asked for, showing that the management genuinely cares about the guest experience. It was a nice surprise and reflected the thoughtful customer service we received throughout our stay.|Relaxing Nights Under the Stars|One of the standout moments of our trip was spending time in the hot tub. There’s something magical about sitting in warm water under the clear night sky, watching the stars, and catching glimpses of multiple Starlink satellites passing overhead. It was a perfect, peaceful way to wind down after a day of exploring.|Welcoming Hosts and Helpful Staff|From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed. Angela, the host, greeted us warmly and made sure we had everything we needed to settle in. Later during our stay, she even stopped by to check in and ensure everything was going smoothly. It’s these little touches that really made a difference and showed the genuine care the team has for their guests.|Exploring Sherwood Pine Forest and Beyond|The location of the lodge couldn’t have been better. Just a short walk from the Sherwood Pine forest, we were able to enjoy some beautiful woodland walks right from our doorstep. The forest is a real gem, offering peaceful trails and a lovely natural atmosphere. Whether you're an avid hiker or just looking for a quiet stroll, it’s the perfect spot.|Sherwood also offers plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. There’s something for everyone, from mountain biking trails to the adventurous Go Ape course (though we skipped that one, given our age). If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll definitely find something to suit your interests.|Day Trips: Rufford and Clumber Park|If you're looking for some scenic day trips, we highly recommend visiting Rufford Abbey and Clumber Park. Both are just a short drive away and offer beautiful parks to explore. We spent a lovely afternoon at Rufford Abbey, wandering around the gardens, and Clumber Park was a wonderful place for a longer walk to take in the countryside views.|Final Thoughts: A Memorable Trip Despite the Reviews|In the end, we’re so glad we didn’t let the negative reviews deter us from booking our stay at Sherwood. It turned out to be a truly enjoyable experience, with great accommodation, welcoming hosts, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. While every stay can’t be perfect for everyone, our experience was overwhelmingly positive, and we left feeling refreshed, recharged, and grateful for the memories we made.|So, if you're reading this and feeling skeptical, don't let a few bad reviews stop you from having your own great experience. We certainly don’t regret our stay—and we're already booked our next visit a bit further...