The  existence  of  the  Wellow  Maypole  can  be  traced  as  far  back  as  1856  and  on  the  9th  of  May 1860,  a  new  pole  had  to  be  erected  as  the  old  one  had  been  sawn  down  during  a  drunken  spree  a few  weeks  earlier.  

To  commemorate  Queen  Victoria’s  Jubilee  in  1887,  a  new  pole  was  given  by Sir  John  Savile,  which  had  three  cross  pieces  near  its  summit,  painted  spiral  decoration  and  a seat  around  the  base.  

In  1923,  Lord  Savile  replaced  the  Jubilee  Maypole.  This  pole  lasted  until 1937  when  it  was  deemed  to  be  unsafe  and  was  cut  down  from  60ft  to  20ft.  In  1949,  this  pole  was finally  chopped  down  for  safety  reasons  and  in  1950  a  new  pole  was  bought  from  Rufford  Estates.

During Victorian times, Sherwood became a tourist attraction, with interest in the ancient ‘greenwood’ fuelled by romantic novels set in medieval times, such as Walter Scotts’ Ivanhoe.

Since then, The Major Oak has become its new name. Due to its national importance, conservation measures to the tree have been carried out continually since 1908.

Today, this world famous oak, at least 800 years old, weighs an estimated 23 tons, its trunk circumference is 33 feet (10m) and its branches spread to over 92 feet (28m).

Being in the heart of Nottinghamshire the Maypole Inn is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and tourist attractions including Rufford Abbey, Sherwood Forest, Robin Hoods Major Oak, Sherwood Forest, Newstead Abbey and the medieval village of Laxton the last remaining open field village in United Kingdom & Europe.

Situated only 20 minutes from Newark and Mansfield, 25 minutes from Doncaster, 35 minutes from Nottingham city centre and 45 minutes from Lincoln, the Maypole Inn at Wellow is perfectly situated to enable visitors to commute or explore this fascinating part of the country.