It is associated with the legends of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, and to a lesser extent Edwin of Northumbria, from where the village gets its name.

The battle against King Penda of Mercia is thought to have occurred near the present-day hamlet of Cuckney, some five miles north-west of modern Edwinstowe, though this location is disputed.

[11][12] These settlements eventually merged as the result of infills from World War I, much of it housing for colliers and named after the largest area.

Nottinghamshire County Council's Sherwood Forest Visitors' Centre is located near the village and was redeveloped and improved in 2017 at a cost of £5.3 million.

[19] Thoresby Colliery served as Edwinstowe's main source of employment until July 2015, when the mine was permanently closed.

[20] The loss of one of the last remaining deep coal mines in the country has left tourism as the main factor in the local economy.

The former Rufford School on the north side of the village closed in 2003 and has become residential housing by Barratt Developments, known as Friars Park.