Clarkes in England and Scotland 2024

Day 11 - Nottingham to Newcastle - 18 September 2024

We decided to see where Robin Hood lived and therefore travelled to Sherwood Forest on the way to Newcastle on Tyne. There has been so much happening in that area that it is not the same as it would have been a few hundred years ago. It is a very open wooded area with the English oak being the main tree. It was a pleasant drive there however, the visitor and information centre was closed because the staff were having a meeting. We still cannot work that out.

The walk through the forest was really relaxing. Sherwood Forest is under a very concerted effort of conservation. So many old growth trees have been cut for timber that very few remain. Branches break on the English oak and, similar to the eucalypt, the inner wood rots creating a hollow used by many birds and animals as a home. The conservationists are intentionally breaking branches on younger trees to mimic the effect of lightning and wind. The inner timber will rot and the trees will become hollow a little earlier than would be normal. However, that will provide places for animals and birds.

The most well-known tree in the forest is the Major Oak which is the biggest oak tree in Britain. It is thought to be between 800 and 1,000 years old and is estimated to weigh about 23 tonnes. Its girth is 10 metres (33ft) and the canopy is 28 metres (92ft). Supports have been installed under branches to prevent them from breaking. It is amazing how insignificant one eels when standing in front of a trees that is 1,000 years old and weighs 23 tonnes.

In Sherwood Forest

The Major Tree

The tree has been protected to prevent too much water flowing inside. They are very careful to provide the best environment for the tree and therefore, tourists are prevented from walking too close and compacting the soil. That is a good thing.

We then went to Hardwick Hall. It was constructed by Elizabeth Derbyshire (1527 to 1608). She married at the age of 15 and had four husbands. The firs three dies leaving their estates to Bess who was very shrewd with money. She developed an immense fortune, particularly because her fourth husband was George Talbot, the 6th earl of Shrewsbury, one of the richest men in the country.

Hardwick Hall is more than 500 years old. Bes loved tapestries and had a huge room dedicated to showing them. There was no other furniture in the room. Tapestries were also hung in most other rooms as well. The entire house oozes of opulence. It is surrounded by immense gardens which must require a legion of gardeners to keep them healthy and tidy. It would be possible to spend an entire day walking around the house and gardens. She had eight children with her second husband. The house passed down through her descendants until eventually, death duties resulted in it being handed to the government who then passed it to the trust for safe keeping.