Fascinating Facts

As well as those mentioned in our mini guides, there are many more quaint villages surrounding Ollerton, all with an interesting tale to tell. Here is a selection of some of the lesser-known facts…

On the western side of the peaceful village of Bothamsall, you will find an impressive motte (mound), ‘Castle Hill’, thought to have been constructed after the Norman Conquest. There is another, inaccessible to the public, at Haughton, which is also famous for its ‘Duck Decoy’; a peculiar construction formerly used by the Dukes of Newcastle to trap ducks – decoys were once a common feature of the English countryside. A third motte and bailey can be found next to the parish church at Egmanton, a fourth at Laxton and a fifth at Wellow (Jordan Castle).

Egmanton Church is home to the ‘Shrine of Our Lady’. It is said that following the appearance of a ghostly apparition in medieval times, the church became a place of pilgrimage. In 1896 the 7th Duke of Newcastle refurbished the church and revived this custom, and the pilgrimages continue to this day.

While Maplebeck boasts one of the smallest pubs in the country, Ompton is home to one of the smallest chapels at only 25m².

In Kersall you will find a phone box that is equipped with carpet and filled with fresh flowers by local residents. Once faced with the threat of being taken away, the locals’ protests ensured that it remained.

On the A605 road from Mansfield to Ollerton, about two miles from Clipstone, you can find the ancient ‘Parliament Oak’. As the name suggests, tales tell of hasty parliaments being convened here, notably by King John and Edward I. Despite being dated at over 1000 years old, in recent times the tree had become neglected. Thankfully, a project is now underway to ensure its survival; new fencing has been erected to protect the tree and hedging is being planted. If you would like to learn more, there is an interpretation board at the site. To find the tree look for the pull-in next to the road (there are parking spaces).

In 1944 a Halifax Bomber was returning to RAF Burn in Yorkshire, following a successful mission to destroy a Nazi V1 flying bomb site in France. Tragically, the plane crashed in Farnsfield, and all the crew members (including a Canadian) lost their lives. The villagers of Farnsfield and the friends and family of those who died erected a special memorial, which can be found at the crash site next to a copse of British oaks and Canadian maples.

In Kings Clipstone you can find the remains of King John’s Palace, a lodge long-associated with the king’s deer hunting parties. However, local researchers have revealed that the ruined walls are only a small part of the extensive site, which was an important residence for all the Plantagenet kings. Nearby, is the site an iron cross, erected by the 6th Duke of Portland to mark the former site of King Edwin of Northumbria’s chapel. The king was killed in a battle near Cuckney and his body taken to Edwinstowe (hence the name Edwin’s towe (Edwin’s village).

Recently, a team of local enthusiasts found evidence of ancient boundary stones hidden in an area of Sherwood Forest, which was known as Thynghowe. The stones, covered in moss, are marked with letters, denoting the parish that they belonged to. In times past, walking or ‘perambulation’ of the boundaries was a yearly tradition. Visitors can now follow this trail too. More information can be found at: www.sherwoodforest.info.

As well as being known for its associations with Robin Hood, the church of St Mary’s in Edwinstowe has another claim to fame. It was once presided over by the vicar Frank Cecil Day-Lewis, the father of the poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis and grandfather of the famous British actor, Daniel.

Unsurprisingly, for an area associated with legends, it also has its fair share of ghost stories. It is claimed that Rufford is haunted by a ‘White Lady’, which is purported to be the spirit of Lady Arbella Stuart, cousin of Elizabeth I, who died (and was possibly murdered) in the Tower of London.