The history behind the bizarre archway house that stands proud on the edge of Sherwood Forest

One of the main reasons so many of us love Nottinghamshire is for its rich history. 

From the fascinating caves beneath Nottingham to the ambiguous Hemlock Stone, every corner of the county has its own historic sights. 

It would be unfair to speak about Nottinghamshire history without mentioning Sherwood Forest in the same breath. 

Given its centuries-old links to the legend of Robin Hood, the forest has long been a place of interest to both local and national historians. 

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In fact, The name 'Sherwood' was first recorded in 958AD when it was called Sciryuda, meaning 'the woodland belonging to the shire'.

It became a Royal hunting forest after the Norman invasion of 1066 and was popular with many Norman kings, particularly King John and Edward I. 

These days the forest is visited by thousands of people every year, with many of them understandably focusing on its Robin Hood connections. 

But those who take time to explore the outskirts of the forest will notice a strange building, nestled within woodland south of the A6075. 

The building in question boasts all the intricacies of a typical 19th-century manor house but has an unusual archway through the middle. 

So, if you’ve ever stumbled upon the structure and wondered why on earth it’s there, here is your answer. 

The history of Archway House

The suitably-named Archway House was built in 1842 upon the instruction of the Duke of Portland. 

In 1834 the Houses of Parliament in London were destroyed by a huge fire, and so the following year began a process to rebuild the structures. 

It was at this time that the Duke of Portland offered limestone from his quarries at Mansfield Woodhouse in Nottinghamshire to build the replacement.

Although some of the Duke’s Mansfield stone was indeed used to rebuild the Houses, doubt was expressed over the stone's suitability for the whole construction.

A defiant Duke then sought to prove the quality of his limestone through extreme means. 

He planned to use the limestone to construct a series of new lodges or gatehouses on his extensive Welbeck estate. 

It was planned that 20 other identical structures would be built along a 21-mile private driveway from Welbeck to Nottingham. 

Sadly, the Duke died in 1854 and the project was abandoned. 

After the Duke’s death, Archway House took on a variety of uses, including accommodation for estate workers and later a schoolroom. 

The building, clad with statues of Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and Little John, is now in private ownership. 

It has become a popular place for ramblers to stop and admire while exploring the forest. 

Archway House is easily accessible from the A6075 or the village of Kings Clipstone.