People looking for ideas this bank holiday weekend and half-term have been invited to explore some of Nottinghamshire’s “hidden gems”.

With Nottinghamshire County Council’s country parks – Rufford Abbey, Sherwood Forest and Bestwood Country Park – expected to be busy again this coming weekend and during next week, the public has also been urged to consider visiting some of the council’s green estate sites.

People out and about have been invited to again take a ‘selfie’ photograph of them and their friends and family capturing ‘a fun day out’ to feature on the council social media channels. Post pictures on Twitter to: @nottscc

Green estate sites include restored former pit tips, disused railway lines, new and mature woodland, agricultural land and old gravel workings. One of the most important elements of site management is involving local people and communities.

Coun John Knight, committee chairman for culture, said: “Our country parks will again be a popular destination this coming bank holiday with exciting events as well as stunning surroundings at Sherwood, Rufford Abbey and Bestwood.

“If people are looking for something different, then a visit to one of our Green Estate sites might be another idea to consider. Many of these sites are used for recreational activities such as cycling, horse riding, walking, or simply enjoying nature, and most have at least part of the site put aside for wildlife. They are hidden gems and well worth a visit.”

Some of the sites best suited for visitors include:

• Newstead Old Coal Stocking Yard and Freckland Wood, Newstead (Grid reference: SK 524 527 (Newstead Old Coal Stocking Yard) and SK 527 525 (Freckland Wood))
Access: Station Avenue, Newstead
Site details: Newstead Old Coal Stocking Yard is a naturally regenerated area of grassland and birch scrub to the west of the Linby Trail, crossed by a surface path.
Freckland Wood is a restored colliery pit tip to the east of the Linby Trail with areas of broad-leaved woodland and grassland. There are no surfaced paths on the latter site.

• Linby Trail, Linby/Newstead (Grid reference: SK 533 509 to SK 525 527)
Access: Wighay Road, Linby or Station Avenue, Newstead
Site details: Very fine calcareous grassland on a disused railway line. A surfaced path runs along the entire length.

Elsewhere there are selected events and activities taking place in Nottinghamshire country parks this coming holiday at Sherwood Forest and Rufford Abbey country.

For more details visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson and you can also sign up to the Email Me service via the county council website.

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe:
1954 to 2014 True or False Trail
24 May, 11am – 3pm Cost: 50p per trail
A fun self-guided true or false trail for the half term holidays designed to test and help improve your knowledge of Sherwood Forest in this very special anniversary year. This trail is aimed at all the family.
• Pick up your leaflet from Visitor Information between 11am and 3pm
• £3 Car parking

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: Archaeology of the Birklands
24 May, 2pm – 4pm Cost £3 Car parking
Join Nottinghamshire County Council Community Archaeologists as they take you on a free guided afternoon stroll through the heart of Sherwood Forest to reveal the history and archaeology associated with this ancient woodland. This event involves a walk of approximately 3 miles and participants require a certain degree of fitness. This event is unsuitable for young children, pushchairs and mobility scooters.
• Meet at the Visitor Centre
• Free Event. £3 car parking charge

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: The Legend Comes To Life
25 May – 26 May, 12pm – 4pm Cost£3 Car parking
Hear tales of daring exploits and marvel at the skills of the medieval archer in the shadow of the mighty Major Oak, where Robin himself learnt to shoot.
• Suitable for wheelchair users
• Free Event. £3 car parking charge

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: Tree ID Walk
28 May, 10am – 1pm Cost£3 adults – children £1.50.
Don’t know your Elm from your Oak? Then join one of our rangers and learn how to tell the difference through its leaves, bark, shape and the historical uses of the trees found around Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.
• Approx 2 mile walk
• Suitable for pushchairs/wheelchairs and well behaved dogs on leads
• Pre-book your place by calling 01623 823202 between 10am-4pm
• Free car parking

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: Walk With The Hawks
28 May, 11am (walk 2:30pm – 4pm) Cost: Adults £5 – Children £2.50. Take a walk on the wild side with falconer Chris Miller and his birds. A chance to get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures and learn some fascinating facts about this ‘sport of kings’, in the magnificent setting of the once Royal Hunting Forest of Sherwood.
• Places limited on the walk so pre-booking essential on 01623 823202
• Sorry, no dogs
• Maximum distance 1½ miles
• Free car parking
• Not suitable for wheelchair users
• No dogs allowed
(Heavy rain or strong winds may require this event to be re-scheduled.)

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: RSPB at Sherwood Forest
29 May, 11am – 4pm Cost: Free. Did you know The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home?
Come along to the visitor centre today and try your hand at children’s activities under the guidance of the colourful Roseanna Burton, RSPB Community Engagement Officer and learn not just about birds but about nature and how to give ‘Nature a Home’.
• Free event but small donation please towards the cost of materials
• £3 car parking charge.

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: Willow Weaving Workshop – Garden Obelisk
30 May, 10:30am – 12:30pm Cost£20 per person. Join us today for a willow weaving workshop to make an obelisk for your garden in readiness for spring and the growing season. Plants such as sweet peas, honeysuckle or clematis can be trained to grow up an obelisk.
• Places are limited so pre-booking is essential on 01623 823202.
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Suitable for wheelchair users.
•£20 per person/structure. Free car parking today

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: RSPB at Sherwood
30 May, 11am – 3pm Cost Free
With information on local and garden wildlife, volunteering and membership of this important wildlife charity together with children’s activities the RSPB stand is well worth a visit today.
• Small donation towards craft materials welcome.
• Free parking today!

Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe: Night Jar Walk
31 May, 8:45pm – 10:45pm Cost£5 per person
Join RSPB expert Carl Cornish as you go in search of the mystical Nightjar also known in folk law as ‘the goat sucker’. Prepare to be amazed at the sound of a male bird ‘churring’ at dusk and with a bit of luck you will be treated to the sight of him displaying and defending his territory.
Please note: this event involves a walk approximately of 2.5 miles and therefore requires a certain amount of physical fitness and is not suitable for persons with mobility issues, pushchairs or young children. Initially a walk of approximately 1.25 miles is required before suitable habitat is reached. This event will finish in the dark so please bring a low powered torch and insect repellent is recommended.
• Places limited
• Pre-booking essential on 01623 823202
• No dogs allowed

Rufford Abbey Country Park
Rufford Abbey, near Ollerton: Worksop Sea Cadet and Marine Cadet Fun Recruitment Day
31 May, 10:30am – 4:30pm Cost£3 car parking charge.
Come along today and meet the young men and women from the Worksop Sea and Marine Cadets and find out more about what they actually do. Let them impress you with drill, first aid and semaphore flag demonstrations, to name but a few activities. You can also try your hand at knot tying and find out how good you are with the phonetic alphabet.
• For more information visit http://www.sea-cadets.org/worksop/about-our-unit.aspx
• Suitable for wheelchair users