Forest Recreation Ground - History

History

The name "Forest" derives comes from medieval times when the land that is now a recreation ground was part of the Sherwood Forest that once extended from the city of Nottingham to the north of Nottinghamshire. The Forest was the southern most part of Sherwood Forest and was part of the open area known formerly as "The Lings" which, largely covered by gorse and scrub, extended into the parishes of Lenton, Radford and Basford.

The site of The Forest was one of the original areas to be protected in perpetuity by the 1845 Nottingham Inclosure Act, which set aside some eighty acres (324,000 m²) of Sherwood Forest for public recreational use. In commemoration, the Mayor of Nottingham planted the "Inclosure Oak" which can still be seen at the Mansfield Road entrance to The Forest.

Leading gardener and architect of the nineteenth century Joseph Paxton was responsible for the criss-cross formation of walkways. Today, these form part of a city-wide network of walks that link various recreation areas, parks and open spaces preserved by the Inclosure Act.

Nottingham Forest Football Club first played their games on the Forest after their formation in 1865, hence the club's name.

The Forest was also home to Nottingham's racecourse before it moved to its current location at Colwick, south east of Nottingham.

Cricket was also played on the Forest, long before the land was enclosed and either side of the two World Wars.

Standing at the Mansfield Road entrance is Forest Lodge, built in 1857. This Grade 2 listed building was originally used as a Police or Keeper's Lodge and a police cell can still be seen at basement level. A red granite monument stands at the Monument Gate on Forest Road East, commemorating the fallen of the Boer War.