Castle hotel
Sherwood Castle
Rufford, Nottinghamshire
Level 0 Castle in Name OnlyCastle in name only: a modern lodge holiday park named after Sherwood Forest and the Robin Hood legend, with no historic castle building on site.
Rooms outside the historic walls
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Sherwood Castle is a modern holiday lodge park on Rufford Lane near Nottingham, on the edge of Sherwood Forest. It is a castle hotel in name only, rated Level 0 on the Castle Authenticity Scale, and suits families wanting a lodge with a pool and play area rather than a historic stay.
Quick facts
- Castle Authenticity Scale
- Level 0: Castle in Name Only
- Where you sleep
- Rooms outside the historic walls
- Architecture
- Modern timber holiday lodges
- Guest rating
- 7.6 out of 10 on Booking.com (September 2026)
- Dogs
- Up to three pets are allowed in lodges marked with a pet icon on the operator's own site. Booking directly costs £30 for the first pet and £15 for each extra pet; bookings made through Booking.com are charged £30 per pet. (hotel policy)
- Listed on Booking.com
- Swimming pool, Family rooms, Parking
- Last checked
- September 2026
The story
The story of Sherwood Castle
Sherwood Castle is a holiday lodge park at Rufford, on the edge of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, operated by Liv Retreats. Despite its name, the operator's own site describes it as a collection of around 27 named timber lodges rather than a historic castle building.
The park takes its theme from the Robin Hood legend associated with Sherwood Forest, and the operator's site states that original props from the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves are displayed around the site. Lodges are named after Robin Hood characters and places, such as Loxley and Maid Marion, continuing that theme rather than referring to any real fortified structure.
The name reflects the Sherwood Forest setting and its folklore rather than an actual castle.
The sleep
Rooms at Sherwood Castle
Lodges at Sherwood Castle sleep between three and eight guests across two to four bedrooms, according to the operator's own site. Most lodges have a private hot tub, and some also have a sauna or a jacuzzi bath.
All lodges except those set around the on-site pond have private parking directly outside, the operator's site states. As a modern lodge park, none of the accommodation occupies a historic building of any kind.
The table
Eating at Sherwood Castle
The operator's own site does not describe an on-site restaurant, bar or shop at Sherwood Castle. Lodges are marketed by bedroom count and facilities such as hot tubs, which suggests a self-catering stay, though this is not stated outright by the operator.
The grounds
Around Sherwood Castle
The park sits close to Sherwood Forest, with the forest itself listed as about 3.9 km away by the operator. Facilities on site include a heated indoor pool kept at 28 degrees Celsius, a children's play area and an animal area with sheep, goats and chickens.
An Enchanted Forest Walk and a tennis court are also part of the grounds, alongside archery and other activities aimed at families, according to the operator's site.
What we'd flag
What we'd flag
- This is a modern lodge park rather than a historic castle, despite the name. Anyone hoping to sleep inside a real fortified building should look elsewhere.
- Pet fees differ depending on how you book: £30 for the first pet and £15 for each extra pet when booking directly, or a flat £30 per pet through Booking.com.
Who it's for
Who Sherwood Castle suits
Sherwood Castle suits families wanting a self-contained lodge with a pool, play area and animal enclosure close to Sherwood Forest. It also suits groups travelling with dogs, given the operator's clear per-pet pricing. It does not suit guests specifically looking for a historic castle stay, since no fortified building exists on the site.
Where Sherwood Castle is.
Map tiles from OpenStreetMap.
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Sherwood Castle: questions
Is Sherwood Castle a real castle?
No. Despite the name, Sherwood Castle is a modern holiday lodge park near Rufford, Nottinghamshire, themed around the Robin Hood legend and Sherwood Forest. There is no historic fortified building on the site.
Are dogs allowed at Sherwood Castle?
Yes, in lodges marked as pet friendly on the operator's site, up to three pets per lodge. Direct bookings cost £30 for the first pet and £15 for each additional pet, while bookings through Booking.com are charged £30 per pet.
What is there to do at Sherwood Castle?
The park has a heated indoor pool at 28 degrees Celsius, a children's play area, an animal area with sheep, goats and chickens, an Enchanted Forest Walk and a tennis court, according to the operator's own site.
Where is Sherwood Castle located?
It is on Rufford Lane near Rufford, Nottinghamshire, close to Sherwood Forest, which the operator lists as about 3.9 km away.
Sources and checks
Last checked: September 2026. We checked these sources for this page. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- livretreats.com: lodge count and capacity, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves film props, pet policy and fees, pool temperature, family facilities, parking setup, distance to Sherwood Forest, absence of any stated restaurant or historic building