Autumn Nights at Walesby Forest: A Family Adventure in the Heart of Sherwood

Autumn evenings are some of the best times to get outside as a family, so this year we decided to try Light Up the Night at Walesby Forest in Nottinghamshire. As soon as we arrived, the setting made an impression. Walesby Forest is one of Nottinghamshire's most beloved and well-known camping and activity centres and is used as one of the key campsites for Nottinghamshire’s scouting and guiding groups. It sits within 250 acres of parkland that form part of the original boundary of the world-famous Sherwood Forest, which gives the whole place a sense of history and adventure as soon as you step onto the grounds. Parking was straightforward, the walkways were easy to follow, and the event layout felt organised in a way that helped the evening run smoothly.

The atmosphere was lively from the moment we arrived. Families were gathered around the mini fun fair; the smell of warm doughnuts and burgers filled the air and live music drifted across the site. Before the fireworks, a Taylor Swift tribute act performed a set that had a lot of people joining in, kids and adults included. The organisers also put on an earlier children’s firework display which was quieter and shorter, giving younger visitors a chance to enjoy the show without the louder bursts that come later on.

When the main fireworks began, the field fell into that excited hush that only a good display can create. The show was colourful, well timed and lasted long enough to feel special, and at £13.50 per adult and £8.25 for under 16s, it felt like good value for a full evening out.

Being at the event also highlighted how much more there is to Walesby Forest beyond Light Up the Night. The site is a long-standing outdoor activity centre used year-round by families, schools, youth groups and Scouts, offering more than 30 activities including climbing, archery, kayaking, raft building and orienteering. It is somewhere you can easily turn a day trip into a weekend break.

Accommodation options are varied, with several lodges available, including Kemp Lodge which has accessible facilities, along with a wide range of camping pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Electric pitches are available, and groups can book into pre pitched tented villages for a simple and stress free stay. Public camping usually costs around £15.65 per adult and £10.35 per child per night, with electric hookup available for an additional charge. The site also benefits from a licensed bar, a small shop for essentials, clean showers, an outdoor swimming pool in summer and a lake that is used for water-based activities, all supported by 24-hour staffing.

By the time we made our way back to the car, we had already agreed we would happily return next year. Light Up the Night was a fun, good value evening out that felt relaxed and welcoming, and it also gave us a chance to appreciate how much Walesby Forest has to offer throughout the year. If you are looking for a seasonal event or somewhere to plan a future outdoor break, it is definitely worth keeping on your list.

Light up the Night returns to Walesby Forest on Saturday 7th November 2026.