The story of Robin Hood, the most popular English folk hero of all times, has reached every corner of the Earth. There are many versions of this well known tale which is about 600 years old. Everybody knows Robin’s friends - Little John, Brother Tuck, Will Scarlet , and the famous Sherwood Forest – Robin Hood’s home and the place where many of his adventures took place. In other countries there are similar stories, such as William Tell in Switzerland, El Cid in Spain or Janosik in Poland, but only Robin Hood has become an ‘international’ hero.

Unfortunately, there is almost no historical proof that Robin Hood really existed. In the 1800s and 1900s a historian found two Robin Hoods who lived in the fourteenth century. One of them was even King Edward II’s servant. Later on, other historians found several different Hoods living in different parts of England – Robin was a popular Christian name and Hood was a fairly common surname. It seems that by 1337, the story of Robin Hood was already well known by many people.

Today, the legend of Robin Hood has turned Nottinghamshire into a large tourist attraction. In the centre of Nottingham there is Nottingham Castle. Parts of it still remember the time of Robin Hood.

Sherwood Forest has an excellent visitors’ centre with an attractive display, a shop and some very pleasant walks in the nearby forest. Edwinstone church, in which, according to tradition, Robin Hood and Lady Marion were married, is one of the visitors favourite sites.