Sherwood Forest
Harry Colt shaped Sherwood Forest on the heathland near Mansfield, with James Braid adding to the bunkering. A par 71 of about 6,835 yards through heather and silver birch, it is one of the oldest and finest heathland courses in England, established in 1895 and open to visitors.
Photo: Sherwood Forest Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Sherwood Forest sits on a swathe of true heathland on the edge of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, on one of the largest surviving heaths in middle England. The club dates to 1895, and the course as it plays today is the work of Harry Colt, the master of the genre, with later refinement of the bunkering by James Braid. It is heathland golf of the highest order, all heather, gorse and silver birch over fast, free draining sand.
It is consistently rated among the best courses in England and inside the top hundred of Great Britain and Ireland. Colt's routing weaves through corridors of heather that demand accuracy off the tee, and the greens are firm, clever and well guarded. Less heralded than the Surrey and Berkshire heaths nearer London, it is every bit their equal, and it welcomes visitors, making it one of the most rewarding inland rounds in the Midlands.
Sherwood Forest at a glance
- Opened
- 1895
- Designer
- Harry Colt, James Braid bunkering
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,835 yds
- Green fee
- Visitors welcome
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Sherwood Forest Golf Club and leading course databases. The club was established in 1895; the modern course is Harry Colt's heathland design with later bunkering work by James Braid, a par 71 of about 6,835 yards. Sherwood Forest welcomes visitors with seasonal green fees, so always confirm current rates and tee availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Sherwood Forest is classic Colt heathland, the holes routed through narrow corridors of heather, gorse and birch so that driving lines are everything. The sandy ground runs firm and fast, the greens are subtly contoured and Braid's bunkering frames the approaches with real menace. Stray from the short grass and the heather exacts a heavy price.
The middle stretch holds some of the strongest holes, a sequence of demanding two shotters where position off the tee dictates whether the green is reachable in regulation. The par 3s are excellent and varied, and the closing holes back toward the clubhouse give a fine player a chance to attack while punishing the loose. It is a course that rewards the strategist over the slugger.
What lingers is the setting and the purity of the test. The heather is at its glorious best in late summer, the birch glows in autumn, and the golf is honest, classical and quietly difficult throughout. For lovers of heathland golf, Sherwood Forest is one of England's great overlooked pleasures.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visitors and societies on most days, subject to member competitions |
| Green fee | Seasonal visitor green fees, lower in winter and on weekdays, higher in the summer season (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Contact the professional shop or office in advance, especially for weekend and peak summer tee times |
| On the day | A walking heathland course with a welcoming clubhouse; trolleys and buggies available |
| Getting there | Eakring Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, about 25 minutes from the M1 and Nottingham |
| Best months | May to October, with late summer for the heather in full colour and firm turf |
Green fees and access verified June 2026; Sherwood Forest sets seasonal visitor rates and member competitions affect availability, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Mansfield and nearby Nottingham offer the most convenient lodging, with a full range of hotels and inns within easy reach of the course and the wider attractions of Sherwood Forest country, Robin Hood's storied home. It is a comfortable, central base for a Midlands golf trip.
For a wider itinerary, the heathland belt of Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire holds several of England's finest inland courses within a short drive, from Notts Hollinwell to Lindrick. Base yourself near Mansfield and pair Sherwood Forest with the best of the Midlands heaths.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Sherwood Forest.
Build a Nottinghamshire golf trip
We help you build a trip around the great heathland courses of the Midlands, securing tee times and arranging the lodging and logistics around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Sherwood Forest questions
Who designed Sherwood Forest and when did it open?
Sherwood Forest dates to 1895, and the course as it plays today is the work of Harry Colt, with later bunkering refinement by James Braid, on heathland near Mansfield.
What is the par and length of Sherwood Forest?
Sherwood Forest is a par 71 of about 6,835 yards, a classic heathland course routed through heather, gorse and silver birch on fast, sandy ground.
Can visitors play Sherwood Forest?
Yes. Sherwood Forest is a members club that welcomes visitors and societies with seasonal green fees. Contact the club in advance, especially for weekend and summer tee times.
What type of course is Sherwood Forest?
Sherwood Forest is one of the oldest and finest heathland courses in England, a Harry Colt design on a large surviving heath, rated inside the top hundred of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.