Sherwood Pines Campsite Review For Families

We spent Father’s Day weekend under the trees at Sherwood Pines Campsite, and honestly, it was everything we hoped for. Fresh air, forest trails, happy kids, and zero need for the car once we were set up. We arrived on Friday straight from school and managed to thankfully meet the rush and were shown straight to our pitch. Once set up, pizza consumed, we were able to enjoy everything this outstanding location has to offer. For Family Cyclists like ourselves, it was perfect.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly campsite next to brilliant cycling routes and woodland play, then Sherwood Pines Campsite is the one for you.

This was one of our first proper outings in the new tent, and it couldn’t have been a better start. This is the second review of our Campsites near Biking Trails section,n and we hope to produce many more. 

Campsite Vibe & Location

The location is the main attraction of Sherwood Pines Campsite. It’s run by the Forestry Commission, so it’s literally in the forest. From our pitch, it was a five-minute bike ride (through the trees!) to the Sherwood Pines visitor centre. That meant access to bike trails, Go Ape, walking routes, play parks and more, all without touching the car. Our car didn’t move the entire weekend, which for us is the sign of a perfect weekend camping. 

It felt relaxed, full of families, and had the sort of welcoming atmosphere where all the kids end up playing together until the sun goes down.

Facilities

We’d read the reviews before we came and we knew it was a very good campsite but we were still impressed by the facilities on offer. Everything you need, clean and well thought through:

• Electric and non-electric pitches. These are a combination of hard standing and grass. We booked the week prior (we only like camping when the weather is dry), so we ended up on a hard-standing pitch with our tent. With our inflatable mats, this felt fine. I prefer grass, but if you want electricity and you book last minute, then you can’t be picky!
  
• Modern shower blocks with family rooms (a big win with young kids). We loved the family rooms. On the Friday night we could all go in a separate room together, which includes a sink area, toilet, expansive shower and even a hairdryer.
  
• Bike maintenance stand, undercover washing-up area, chemical toilet disposal, and a dog wash station! The chemical toilet disposal was one of the nicest I’ve been to, as it included a nice sink and hand dryer area. I thought this was a good touch.
  
• A shop on site with BBQ supplies, breakfast bits, cold drinks and snacks. The location of this was near the entrance, which I quite liked as it meant a short walk or bike ride. For families with kids, it also meant the kids weren’t always asking to go to the shop and could concentrate on playing.
  
• Backpacking room with lockers if you’re arriving on foot or by bike.
  

There are also regular visits from food vans. The Pizza van takes the Friday night spot, and the Fish & Chip van takes the Saturday spot. We had Pizza when we arrived on the Friday, but didn’t sample the Fish and Chips. They looked good, though!

These vans are seasonal, so please check before you go to see if they will be available when you plan to visit. 

What’s There for Kids?

If you haven’t visited Sherwood Pines, then you should. There’s so much to do, it’s hard to pinpoint a specific part. The surrounding area is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven. Bike trails, running trails, walking trails, parks, GoApe. You name it, it has it. Because the campsite is directly connected to Sherwood Pines, you get access at all times. You can wander through it when the rest of the visitors have gone home. 

Not only this, but the campsite has some additional things to do for kids too.

• Central play area on site. In the middle of the site, next to the amenities area. The pitches surround the Play Area, and it was a hub of children from the morning until closure at 9:30 pm. Our kids loved meeting new friends; it’s one of our primary reasons for choosing camping, as it creates simple outdoor play without the constraints of modern-day life.
  
• Forest freedom – our two were out from 8am until 9pm each day, riding, exploring and climbing.
  
• Bike trails everywhere – and I mean everywhere
  
• Easy access to Sherwood Pines play parks, woodland walks (we spotted the Gruffalo and Stick Man!), and Go Ape. We did the GoApe adventure on Sunday morning. We had great fun, but it was incredibly expensiv,e so it wouldn’t be something we do every time we visit, as there’s more than enough to do without it.
  

We managed the Maid Marian Trail, which is around 7km, and Barney smashed it! He’s only 4, so we were absolutely over the moon that he managed to get the entire way round. There are a few inclines which we helped him with (we have this rope connector which hooks onto his handlebars and aids him).

The variety of trails (more in Chris’s full Sherwood Pines review) means everyone can join in, no matter the age or confidence level. We saw adults, teenagers and small children all enjoying the cycling on offer. 

Highlights

Arriving Friday evening, we cycled straight to the visitor centre after pitching up & pizza. It was closed, but because we were staying on site, the kids had free rein of the play park. No one else around, just us, the pines, and two very happy children. It felt surreal to be in this beautiful, natural forest and be able to cycle without the sounds of modern life.

Barney’s biggest ride yet – a proper proud parent moment as he tackled the green trail. This is his longest ride to date and something we are incredibly proud of, as he had the stamina to complete a significant distance.

Outdoor freedom:  The kind of weekend where meals are eaten outside, the kids are free to play in the park, cycle around the site and just be completely in the moment. I don’t think other than taking pictures, we looked at our phone all weekend.

One Small Negative

When we booked our stay at Trail View Campsite, we specifically requested a quiet pitch, understanding that campsites can be lively, especially during Pitches are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you arrive earlier, you can choose your pitch. The staff will bike down and show you the available pitches, and you can decide. Quite cool!. We were shown a great spot near the campsites, an accessible route to the Sherwood Pines trails, close to the amenities and play area. Sounds ideal, right? Well… yes, except we quickly realised, for some reason, guests cut through our pitch to get to the trails even though there’s a clear path made of stones. Obviously, no fault of the campsites, but some teenagers cut through at 11 pm when the kids were asleep and accidentally tripped over our guide ropes and hit the tent. Not ideal!

It didn’t ruin the weekend, but it was a bit annoying at times. We shifted our car to block the route on the second night, which helped. If you’re booking and prefer a quieter pitch, maybe ask to be placed away from this. We thought it would work well given its proximity to everything. On the left side, there was a fence, but on the right-hand side, there wasn’t. Perhaps something for the commission to implement?

Would We Go Back?

Absolutely. It’s perfect for families, especially if your kids are into biking or just being outside. The fact that you can leave the car and do everything by bike was a huge plus. The facilities are great, it felt safe, and we all came back absolutely exhausted but fully content after a wonderful family weekend. The site is stripped back, outdoor fun, and we loved it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a café on site?

Not quite, but the shop is surprisingly well-stocked with snacks, coffee, BBQ food, milk and more. Plus, there was a pizza van on Friday and a fish & chip van on Saturday (seasonal)

What was your favourite part?

The freedom. Being able to hop on the bikes and ride straight into the forest, no roads, no worries about the children. 

Is it dog friendly?

Yes, dogs on leads only. There’s even a dog wash after a full day of trekking through the woods.

How much is it?

Prices vary, but it was around £30–£36 per night for a family pitch with electric. Pretty reasonable given the location and facilities.

Are there bike trails?

Yes! Loads. From beginner to more technical MTB routes. It’s a proper cycling hub, with so many families out and about.

Is parking easy?

One car per pitch, and you won’t need to move it once you’re there. Everything’s bikeable or walkable.

Final Thoughts

Sherwood Pines Campsite ticked all the boxes. If you’ve got a young family and you’re after a base to explore woodland trails with a fantastic atmosphere, then this is the most perfect campsite. Fantastic facilities, wonderful location, excellent atmosphere. We will definitely go back in the future.

Last Updated on June 16, 2025 by Ryan