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veryone loves Robin Hood - whether it’s Disney’s dashing fox, the grizzly Russell Crowe, or a foppish Kevin Costner, the appeal of the outlaw and his stick it to the man heroism is still alive. And where better to immerse yourself in the legend than in Sherwood Forest.

As soon as you enter the dark depths of Nottingham’s royal hunting forest, you can practically hear the rallying cry of the rebel rustling through the leaves.

Wandering around the 450 acres and 900 ancient oak trees, you might inadvertently stumble across the hiding places of Little John, Will Scarlet, and Friar Tuck. In the heart of the forest, you’ll find the church at Edwinstowe where, accordingly to legend, Robin and Maid Marian tied the knot.

But it’s not just Robin and his Merry Men that make the forest a must visit. Take a nature trail around the woodland, experiencing its insects, colourful fungi, birds and bats before meeting the forest’s other famous resident – Major Oak.

Just ten minutes from the visitor centre, this huge gnarled English oak stands proud, having survived an estimated 800 years. Still producing acorns after all those centuries – now that’s what we call heroic.