Major Oak

You'll find yourself standing before an absolutely enormous oak tree in Sherwood Forest near Edwinstowe, and it's genuinely difficult to overstate quite how massive the thing is. The Major Oak has a trunk so wide that it takes a proper group of people holding hands to wrap around it, and the whole thing is supported by an intricate system of wooden props and railings that keep it upright.

Legend has it that Robin Hood and his gang used the hollow interior as a hideout, though historians would probably argue that point. The tree itself is thought to be around 1,000 years old - you're standing next to something that was already ancient when the Norman Conquest happened.

It's free to visit and takes maybe twenty minutes to have a good look around, snap some photos, and appreciate the sheer age of it all. Children usually find it impressive, and walkers tackling Sherwood Forest trails will definitely pass it anyway. The tree is accessible year-round, though autumn light is particularly good for photography.

If you're staying at any of the nearby parks - Sherwood Forest Holiday Park, Center Parcs Sherwood Forest, or the various Clumber Park options - the Major Oak is easily done as a morning visit before exploring the broader forest. It's not going to occupy your entire day, but it's one of those things that genuinely matters if you're in the area.