Robin Hood season!

Robin Hood season! October celebrates Nottinghamshire’s famous legend

Robin Hood’s spirit is alive and kicking in Nottinghamshire this October, with three major festivals celebrating the county’s infamous hero, providing exciting days out for everyone whether aged 2 or 82. The Robin Hood Pageant at Nottingham Castle, Robin Hood Game & Country Show at Newark Showground and Robin Hood Beer Festival at Nottingham Castle, all provide first class entertainment celebrating the legend in style. The Robin Hood Trail, featuring attractions such as Sherwood Forest, can be enjoyed year round.

Robin Hood Half Marathon, Nottingham

30 September

Cost: Entry prices start at £10

http://www.robinhoodhalfmarathon.co.uk/

Achieve a personal best at this popular event, which this year features a flatter, faster course. Highlights along the route include Nottingham Castle, Trent Bridge cricket ground, the University of Nottingham’s parkland grounds and the River Trent. The race village will bring the story of Robin Hood to life, with plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

Robin Hood Beer Festival, Nottingham Castle

Wednesday 10 – Saturday 13 October

Cost: From £12.50

http://www.beerfestival.nottinghamcamra.org/

Set in the atmospheric grounds of Nottingham Castle, the Robin Hood Beer Festival is the top festival in the Midlands and one of the top five beer festivals in the UK. Renowned for offering the world’s largest selection of real ales, the festival will this year feature 1,000 different real ales, breaking its previous record. Over 25% of the quantity of beer sold will have been brewed within 20 miles of Nottingham Castle. Along with beer, a wide selection of traditional ciders, perries and country wines will be on offer, along with brilliant live music entertainment. Bring the spirit of Robin Hood and his Merry Men alive, and get a little merry yourself!

Robin Hood Game and Country Show, Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire

Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 October

Cost: Adults £10, Children £5 (or £7.50/£2 if booked in advance online: http://www.robinhoodcountryshow.co.uk/

From falconry to archery, jousting to fishing and all things in between, this is a fantastic celebration of country life and gaming. Robin Hood, Maid Marion and the Merry Men will of course be in attendance, and families can enjoy carnival rides, the Berkley Owls arena show, BMX stunt displays and a Viking re-enactment village. Newark is just over one hour from London Kings Cross station with East Coast Trains, and is also easily reached by the A1.

Robin Hood Pageant, Nottingham Castle

Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 October

Cost: Adults £8, Children £6, Family ticket £20

http://mynottingham.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1020

This annual celebration of Robin Hood transforms Nottingham Castle’s grounds into a medieval village encampment complete with a range of colourful characters allowing you to travel back in time to the 12th century. The Pageant will premiere the Legend of Robin Hood performance; feature jousting performances by the Knights of Nottingham; and recreate a medieval village with authentic tents displaying a variety of 12th century crafts and living history demonstrations. Meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men, King Richard I in his royal camp, experience wandering minstrels and historical entertainers, and try your hand at turning lead into gold at the Alchemists laboratory.

Robin Hood Town Tours, Nottingham

Saturday 13 (2.00pm), Sunday 14 October (12.00pm) and Saturday 20 October (11.00am)

http://www.bonecorporation.co.uk/hoodtown.php

Robin Hood is world famous but who was he? How did the legend begin? What does it mean today? These questions will be explored as you visit places associated with the legend. The truth is lost in the mists of time but there is a trail of historical truths to be followed over the centuries and you can learn how simple ballads over 700 years old grew into one of the greatest stories ever told. See Nottingham’s key sites of interest, hear the stories and learn fascinating facts. Hear about the forefathers of the town who built a city and about its famous sons and daughters.

Robin Hood Walking Tours, Nottingham

Wednesdays and Fridays until 31 October

Cost: £7 per person

http://www.robinhoodtours.co/

Get up close and personal with Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham with this historical, humorous walking tour. Meet, greet and be guided by Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham, to capture the essence of medieval culture in Nottingham in an educational and entertaining format.

Heroes & Villains Walking Tour, Nottingham

Sunday 21 October

Cost: £8 per adult, £5 per child

http://www.toursofnottingham.co.uk/

The Nottingham Heroes & Villains Tour brings Nottingham’s heritage to life. The tour covers historic places such as Nottingham Castle, England’s oldest pub, the Lace Market area and historic sites associated with the legend of Robin Hood and many of the city’s other ‘Heroes and Villains’.

Download high res images for these events online: http://www.flickr.com/photos/experiencenotts/sets/72157631518915742/