Brand New Play Area in the Midlands: Sherwood Pines Family Guide 2026
Sherwood Pines has a brand new woodland adventure play area, and it is genuinely worth the trip! The forest in Nottinghamshire recently unveiled King John’s Castle, a castle-themed play structure inspired by a real piece of local history, and it is already one of the most exciting free-to-visit play areas in the East Midlands.
TL;DR: King John’s Castle play area at Sherwood Pines is free to visit. Entry to the forest is free; you only pay for parking. The forest is open daily (except Christmas Day), with winter hours of 8am to 5pm. Postcode: NG21 9JL.
Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly day out or want to combine the play area with cycling, Go Ape or a woodland trail, Sherwood Pines has more than enough to fill a full family day.
Where Is Sherwood Pines?
Sherwood Pines sits in the heart of Robin Hood country, in Nottinghamshire. It is managed by Forestry England and is the largest public woodland in the East Midlands, covering over 3,300 acres.
Getting There
- Postcode: NG21 9JL (Kings Clipstone, Nottingham)
- By road: Located on the B6030, east of Kings Clipstone
- By bus: Take the number 14 or 15 from Mansfield bus station to Kirton or Walesby. Buses run every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays. Check times with Stagecoach before you travel.
Parking Charges
Forestry England operates a cashless, ticketless ANPR parking system. You pay on exit by entering your registration number at the pay station.
| Duration | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £4.00 |
| Up to 2 hours | £7.50 |
| Up to 3 hours | £11.00 |
| Over 3 hours | £12.50 |
Regular visitors: A Sherwood Pines annual membership costs £76 and includes free parking for the whole household. A Forestry England national membership is £96 a year and covers forests across the country.
The Brand New Play Area: King John’s Castle
This is the big news! Sherwood Pines has officially unveiled its King John’s Castle play area, and it is a proper standout addition to the forest.
The structure takes its inspiration from King John’s Palace, which was historically located near Sherwood Pines and used as a royal residence by several medieval kings, including Henry II, Richard I and Edward. The design brings that history to life in a way that is genuinely fun rather than just educational.
What Is Inside the Play Area?
The castle-themed structure is packed with things to explore:
- Gentle ramp up to the main structure (great for pushchairs and wheelchairs)
- Wobbly clatter bridge wide enough for wheelchair access
- Climbing tree and balance trail
- Secret den, tunnel, kitchen and dungeon to discover
- Tube slide and trebuchet swing
- Tactile and high-contrast elements for children with sensory needs or reduced vision
The inclusive design is a real strength here. Forestry England built accessibility into the structure from the ground up, not as an afterthought, which means families with children of different abilities can all play together.
The play area is free to use. You just need to pay for parking when you arrive.
What Else Can Families Do at Sherwood Pines?
The play area is the headline act, but there is a full day’s worth of activities on site for families. Here is a quick rundown:
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Sherwood Pines is one of the best cycling destinations in the Midlands, with trails for all abilities from gentle family rides to proper mountain bike routes. Bike hire is available on site if you do not have your own.
Walking Trails
Three waymarked walking trails wind through the forest, ranging from a gentle stroll to a longer route that takes in the outer areas. The trails are pushchair-friendly and perfect for spotting deer, squirrels and woodland birds.
Themed Story Trails
Forestry England regularly runs seasonal story trails through the forest. The current trail is the Room on the Broom adventure, where families follow Witch and her friends on an interactive forest journey. These trails are brilliant for keeping younger children engaged on the walk.
Go Ape
For families with older or more adventurous kids, Go Ape at Sherwood Pines offers high-ropes courses, zip lines and forest segways. The Treetop Adventure is open to children over 1m tall; the Treetop Adventure Plus is for children aged 6 and over. Tickets need to be booked separately.
Food and Drink
The Sherwood Pines Café serves locally sourced food and drink, from coffee and cake to proper meals. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic and use the picnic areas in the forest.
Plan Your Visit: Key Details
Here is everything you need before you head out:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Kings Clipstone, Nottingham, NG21 9JL |
| Opening hours | Daily except Christmas Day. Winter: 8am to 5pm. Summer: 8am to 10pm. |
| Visitor Centre | Open 9am to 4pm |
| Entry | Free (parking charges apply) |
| Play area | Free to use |
| Dogs | Welcome throughout the forest |
| Pushchairs | Fully accessible |
| Accessible toilets | Available on site |
| Baby changing | Available on site |
| Wi-Fi | Public Wi-Fi available |
No pre-booking is required to visit Sherwood Pines or use the play area.
FAQs
Is the new Sherwood Pines play area free?
Yes! King John’s Castle play area is free to use. The only cost is parking, which starts from £4 for up to an hour.
Is the play area accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. The play area was designed with accessibility at its heart. It features a gentle ramp to the top of the castle structure and a wide wobbly clatter bridge suitable for wheelchairs. There are also tactile and high-contrast elements for children with sensory needs or reduced vision.
Where exactly is the new play area?
King John’s Castle play area is located within Sherwood Pines forest in Nottinghamshire. Use postcode NG21 9JL for sat nav.
What age is the play area suitable for?
The play area is designed for a wide range of ages and abilities, with elements that suit younger children (the gentle ramp, den and kitchen) as well as older ones (climbing tree, balance trail, trebuchet swing). It is a genuinely all-ages space.
Do I need to book in advance?
No. There is no need to pre-book a visit to Sherwood Pines or the play area. Just turn up, pay for parking and head in.
Ready to plan your visit? Check out the full Sherwood Pines attraction listing on Day Out With The Kids for reviews, directions and more things to do nearby in the East Midlands!