The Forest Lodge Hotel, January 2000

Visited here early in the new century after wandering around the nearby countryside in search of the 'Great Oak' in the heart of "Robin Hood" country in Sherwood Forest. In reality the Great Oak is only a mile or so away and the Forest Lodge provides the ideal retreat after visiting the oak and its associated cafes and museum full of large plastic figures that talk at you etc. Interestingly opposite the pub is St. Mary's Church where Robin Hood and Maid Marion were allegedly married.

The Forest Lodge is a very smart establishment sympathetically refurbished since the new landlord took over in 1997. A very comfortable front lounge bar with oak beams and bare brickwork and with an open fire is very cosy in winter. Real ales are obviously on offer and they usually have a couple of guests alongside their regular beers (Courage Best and Ruddles Best when we visited). All the beer was in top form too. We visited on a Sunday afternoon when the front bar usually closes at 4pm keeping a back bar open for residents and anyone who's very thirsty. While we were there, however, they chose to keep the front bar open which obviously meant that the walk to the bar was much shorter.

They offer a good range of meals both at lunchtime and during the evenings. You can also hire out their Hayloft bar for parties of up to 80 or so people. They've seven ensuite rooms available too if you fancy staying the night.