Mountain Biking Sherwood Pines: A Trail Guide from Skills Loop to Outlaw
Sherwood Pines visitor centre is a 3–4 mile drive from the farm, which makes it the easiest full day out we send cycling guests to... However... If you already have your bikes and equipment, you can cycle straight into the woods from your cabin.
It's a proper trail centre — waymarked routes, a bike hire and repair shop on site, and enough variety that two riders of different confidence levels can ride separately and meet back at the café.
What to Expect
Sherwood Forest Cycles operates the hire and repair shop at the visitor centre, so you don't need to bring a bike if you're travelling light. Parking is on site and there's a small daily charge. The trails are waymarked by colour and start from the same central hub, which makes it easy to string a few together or bail out early if the weather turns.
The Trails
The Skills Loop is the place to start if it's your first visit, or you're riding with someone newer to mountain biking. It's a short, low-consequence loop built around practising bike handling — drops, berms, small technical features — rather than covering distance.
The Robin Hood trail (blue) is the main cross-country route through the pines, a mix of forest singletrack and wider fire-road sections. It suits families new to trail riding and anyone wanting a proper couple of hours in the saddle without technical difficulty.
The Outlaw trail (red) steps up in both pace and technical demand — tighter singletrack, more elevation change, and features that reward committed riding. It works well for confident intermediate riders looking for a harder loop after warming up on the blue.
The Maid Marion trail is the family-friendly option, shorter and gentler, and a good choice if you're riding with children or want a relaxed loop to finish the day on.
How Guests Usually Do It
Most of the cycling guests we host ride the Skills Loop first thing to warm up, then take on Robin Hood, and — if legs and weather allow — finish with a lap of Outlaw before the café gets busy. Starting early on a Saturday means you're mostly riding before the car park fills up.
Nearby Continuation
If you've got energy left, Rufford Abbey Country Park is under 2 miles from the farm — around 5 minutes — and makes a good easy add-on the following morning: flat paths, a lake, and somewhere to walk off stiff legs without another big drive.
Where We Usually Stop After
Our most common recommendation after a ride is The Lion at Farnsfield — it's dog-friendly with outdoor seating, and does a proper Sunday roast if you've timed the ride right.
Opening times and prices change — check the relevant websites before visiting.