Nottingham
Sculpture Tour
Thumbnail images of sculptures in Nottingham

Area Map Sky Mirror Maid Marian Way Six Memorials to local poets Major Jonathan White Afghan Campaigns War Memorial William Cavendish Captain Albert Ball, VC Quartet Robin Hood Council House

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Plan of the statue of Robin Hood Panorama of site View of the site from the south end Robin Hood, view from castle wall Street side view of Robin Hood and surroundings. Relaxing in the forest Unveiling plaque An idle moment in the forest Views of relief panels Robin Hood, view from north Robin Hood, viewed from behind Robin Hood, viewed from the foot of the castle wall

6 Robin Hood by James Woodford

Full-length bronze statue, accompanied by two additional bronze groups and five plaques, Castle Road (beneath the Castle walls).

Perhaps the best-known statue in Nottingham, Woodford's depiction of Robin Hood shows him in characteristic pose firing his bow and arrow. The two smaller-scale groups show the Merry Men relaxing in the forest: on one Alan-a-Dale plays the harp to Will Scarlet; on the other Friar Tuck reads to Little John and Will Stukely. They were assembled by Horace Deane of Lambeth. Four of the five relief panels set into the rockface show other scenes from the life (and death) of Robin Hood. His legend is said to date from Richard Coeur de Lion's departure for the Crusades, leaving his brother John in cruel command of Nottingham Castle.

The sculptures commemorate a visit by Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on 28 June 1949 (the city's quincentenary celebrations), and they were unveiled on 24 July 1952 by the Duchess of Portland. The statue of Robin Hood has always been popular with tourists, as he is the archetypal symbol of Nottingham around the world. His arrow has been stolen on many occasions!