Story of the Major Oak
For around a thousand years, the Major Oak has weathered storms and droughts, wars, and kings and queens. It has endured the rise and fall of kingdoms and the slow, steady reshaping of the English landscape. This ancient giant sits within RSPB Sherwood Forest and has a canopy stretching nearly 92 feet as well as a trunk measuring 33 feet around.
The Major Oak's story is deeply woven into folklore. Legend says that Robin Hood and his Merry Men once sheltered beneath its vast canopy, finding refuge among its roots and branches. Whether myth or memory, the tale has become inseparable from the tree itself, adding a sense of magic to its astonishing presence.
Its fame only grew with time. In the 1800s, Major Hayman Rooke, a soldier and antiquarian, wrote about the oak with such admiration that the Major Oak name became etched in history. Since then, visitors from across the world have travelled to stand beneath its great branches, hoping to feel, if only for a moment, part of its extraordinary history.
A new chapter for the Major Oak
Now, as the Major Oak reaches the end of its remarkable life, it enters a new era. Though its leaves will no longer flourish, the Major Oak shall still stand proud with it's iconic silhouette for years to come.
The story of the Major Oak is still being written, as the tree continues to inspire adventurous stories, showcase impressive views, and provide shelter to new types of wildlife than it could before.
Plan your visit to see the Major Oak and explore what Newark and Sherwood has to offer beyond the forest.