Path through the trees in Thieves Wood near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Where to go · Nottinghamshire

Forest bathing at Thieves Wood

A Forestry England wood south of Mansfield, once a haunt of outlaws on the old King's highway, with good autumn colour.

Thieves Wood lies about two miles south of Mansfield, off the road between Kirkby in Ashfield and Ravenshead. As the name suggests, it was a haunt of outlaws for centuries, with travellers robbed on the King's highway that ran through it. Today it is a Forestry England wood crossed by the Robin Hood Way, and a waymarked route links it to Fountaindale nearby.

Park in one of the two free car parks off the B6139 and take the walking trail, which gives easy access into the wood from the car park. The White trail is the one Forestry England recommends for autumn colour, and the short Dog loop is unsurfaced. There are no bins, so take your litter home. There is a refreshment cabin and a food truck in the car park on some days.

Practical

Managed by
Forestry England
Parking
Two free car parks off the B6139
Terrain
Easy access trail from the car park; unsurfaced paths elsewhere
Nearest station
Mansfield, about two miles
Facilities
Picnic area, refreshment cabin and food truck (some days); no bins
Opening and entry
Open daily, dawn to dusk, free
Official page
forestryengland.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

Three guides within 15 miles of Thieves Wood

More woodlands in Nottinghamshire

All venues in Nottinghamshire
Fungus on a tree stump in Blidworth Woods, NottinghamshireBlidworth WoodsPine woods and heath at the southern end of Sherwood, with free parkingPath through woodland at Clumber Park, NottinghamshireClumber ParkWoods, heath and a serpentine lake, with a two mile double avenue of limesTrees in the grounds of Rufford Abbey Country Park, NottinghamshireRufford Abbey Country ParkWoods, lake and abbey ruins near Ollerton, with accessible paths

Photos: Blidworth Woods, Alan Murray-Rust (CC BY-SA 2.0); Clumber Park, Mick Lobb (CC BY-SA 2.0); Rufford Abbey Country Park, David Hallam-Jones (CC BY-SA 2.0).