Food Adventures in Nottinghamshire – part 1

In the home of the legend Robin Hood, I took my merry self on a Segway Tour, dined at two fine restaurants, spent a day chocolate-making, visited the Festival of Food and Drink and slept in luxury lodgings at Sherwood Hideaway. So, if you fancy a weekend break to Nottinghamshire and you’re looking for things to do and eat, here are some suggestions:

Go Ape Segway Tour

Work up an appetite by going on a £40 Go Ape Segway Tour. The tour is fun, fun, fun! Located within Sherwood Pines Forest, the Segways here are the Action Hero of Segways with their rugged pumped up wheels. If you’ve never been on one before they’re pretty easy to master, it’s a bit of a balancing act, but it’s not exhaustive. Weaving your way around 3000 acres of woodlands on a 1 hour guided tour is the best way to explore the pine forest and a thrilling experience.

Launay’s

Hungry after the tour, you should head to Robin Hood’s Village in Edwinstowe. I recommend two top restaurants. The first is Launay’s, a family owned restaurant and bar. The food here is plentiful with a touch of French flair and locally sourced produce. The staff are super friendly and the vibe has as a wonderful buzz. I dined to the left of the restaurant, which was part of the original building and had a more rustic homely feel. To the right was more open and contemporary. The food as a whole is very good, but I’d give their signature dessert, Retro Sweet Shop, a miss. It’s a selection of homemade childhood sweets, which has too much going on, whilst individually some of the items work, together they do not. A three-course meal at the Luanay’s range from £23 to £35.

Forest Lodge

Or, just next door is the award-winning inn, Forest Lodge. Their self-taught head chef serves dishes which show touches of brilliance and creativity, delivering a modern twist to pub classics and raises the bar in great texture and flavour combinations. A must try is the impressive starter of poached Crevettes and black pudding bon-bon with peas and corn – it’s simply outstanding. Sadly, a very set Panna Cotta with overly spiced gingerbread let the dessert side down, but there’s no denying that dishes here are made with passion. Starters are from £4.25 and mains from £8.75.

Look out for part 2, where Food Adventures in Nottinghamshire continues…

Many thanks to Experience Nottinghamshire for organising the trip. #lovenotts