Sherwood Forest will come alive with the spirit of Robin Hood this summer, when the annual Robin Hood Festival returns to the infamous Sherwood Forest from 4 – 10 August 2014, hosted by Nottinghamshire County Council.

The festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and is a favourite with families in the summer holidays. Once again there will be a week of FREE entertainment and a daily programme packed with education and entertainment for all ages.

At this year's festival, there will be archery, duels and a wide variety of acts from performers, musicians and entertainers who will transport visitors back to the medieval period when Robin Hood pitted his wits against the Sheriff and other adversaries to help the poor triumph over the rich.

Councillor John Knight, Culture Committee Chairman at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “The Robin Hood Festival is a much-loved event with Robin Hood fans both in the UK and abroad and it is wonderful that we are going to celebrate 30 years of the festival this summer.”

Where better to celebrate Nottinghamshire's notorious outlaw than in the forest made famous by him, in the shadow of the famous Major Oak?

Entertainment highlights include:

•             Costumed characters throughout the site

•             Live jousting tournaments

•             Musicians and entertainers across Sherwood Forest

•             Falconry displays

•             Have a go at archery

•             A wide range of craft stalls and activities

Event details:

Monday 4 to Sunday 10 August 2014

Daily from 11am

Sherwood Forest Country Park – Swinecote Road, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire NG21 9HN

FREE entry to the festival and £5 all day car parking.

www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/robinhoodfestival  / www.facebook.com/robinhoodfestival

For details on attending the festival from the media, please contact Linda Parker, Experience Nottinghamshire press office, or Simon Redfern, Nottinghamshire County Council press office.

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FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Linda Parker, PR Manager, Experience Nottinghamshire

linda.parker@experiencenottinghamshire.com / 0115 962 8304

Carly Jones, PR Assistant, Experience Nottinghamshire

carly.jones@experiencenottinghamshire.com / 0115 962 8305

Simon Redfern, Nottinghamshire County Council press office

simon.redfern@nottscc.gov.uk / 0115 9773791

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Experience Nottinghamshire:

1. Experience Nottinghamshire is the destination management organisation responsible for driving leisure and business visitors to the county. It also manages the city's gold award-winning tourism centre.

2. Tourism in Nottinghamshire is estimated to be worth around £1.44 billion to the local economy and supports 51,500 jobs.

3. Experience Nottinghamshire is led and funded by the private sector with support from Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council. It also works in partnership with VisitEngland and VisitBritain.

4. Nottinghamshire is a leading tourism destination with a world-class record for sport, science, heritage, creativity and culture, www.experiencenottinghamshire.com.