In 1298 the de Lacys were granted permission to inclose 30 acres (12 ha) pertaining to the manor of Wadenhoe, lying within the forest, in order to make a park.

Exploitation of the ironstone within the Northampton Sands was the basis for the once-important iron and steel industry in Corby on the western edge of the forest.

[3][4] Areas of Rockingham Forest managed by the Forestry Commission include: It is famous for its population of red kites which now number 300.

[5] In the spring of 2018 chequered skipper butterflies (Carterocephalus palaemon) from Belgium were released at a secret site as part of the Back from the Brink (BftB) project.

Invasive scrub has been removed from more than 8 km of woodland rides by Butterfly Conservation and their partners, and if the reintroduction is successful they will be the first native-born chequered skippers to emerge in England in more than 40 years.