Entry to Rufford Abbey and its park and gardens is free.
Opening hours
We're open every day except Christmas Day. See our opening hours.
How to get here
If you are travelling by car you may find the AA Route Planner helpful in planning your route: www.theaa.com/route-planner
For public transport to the park contact Traveline on tel: 0870 608 2 608, or visit: www.traveline.org.uk.
Crown copyright. All rights reserved 100019713, 2012. Disclaimer and OS copyright
Car parking
Admission to the park is free. Car parking charges apply at Rufford Abbey at weekends and Bank Holidays from Friday 29 March 2013 to Friday 22 December 2013.
See a calendar of when parking charges apply [PDF]
The normal charge is £3 and applies to all cars (including blue badge holders). The charge for motorcycles is £1. Coach parking is free.
A special event car parking charge of £5 will apply for two major events: The Earth and Fire Ceramics Festival and the 1940s Weekend.
The main car park is at Rufford Abbey (off the A614). There is a second car park at Rufford Mill (Wellow Lane - signed for Rufford Mill and Rufford Golf Course.) Both car parks are locked at 5.30pm.
Blue Badges
Sorry, no concessions on car parking charges, but there are disabled parking spaces at both Abbey and Mill car parks.
Season ticket
A season ticket allows parking at both Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre as many times as you wish (including during the Earth and Fire Potters' Fair and the Robin Hood Festival).
The season tickets are on sale at our on site shops at £20. They can also be purchased by phone using a credit or debit card (Monday to Friday, office hours) from our Business Support Team tel: 01623 821323. There is no extra charge for postage. Please have your registration number handy and remember that each ticket is valid for one vehicle only and is non-transferable.
Special offer!
Spend £15 in a single transaction in one of our onsite shops, café or restaurant and present your ticket to claim a refund of your parking charge. Offer does not apply when the special event parking charge is in force.
Access for all
Paths and surfaces
Rufford Abbey Country Park is a fairly flat site, and most areas of the park are accessible except the upper level of the Abbey ruins.
Steps which enable ambulant visitors to access the Savile Restaurant and formal gardens from the Abbey can be avoided by using the ramp down from the Coach House Courtyard. Simply follow the signs.
There is a cobbled area within the Craft Centre courtyard. Some paths within the park are surfaced with gravel. However, most wheelchair users have little difficulty exploring the park. You will find a number of wheelchair adapted picnic tables within the park.
Take a look at our plan of the park including accessible routes [PDF 247KB]. The map shows routes around the park graded with levels of accessibility for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. You can also pick up a free copy from the visitor information centre.
Need more information about getting around? Download our access statement [PDF 30KB]
Wheelchair and scooter loan
Wheelchairs are available for loan free of charge from Visitor Information and we advise booking in advance on tel: 01623 821338. There are two special lightweight wheelchairs available for children.
We offer electric mobility scooters for loan at 50 pence per hour. Please ring before your visit to check availability and make a booking on tel: 01623 821338, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Please note that scooter hire is available at weekends only during the winter low season.
Accessible buildings
Rufford Craft Centre includes an upstairs Exhibition Gallery and Ceramic Gallery. Both are fully accessible via a lift. Also at the Abbey end of the park, the visitor information office is on the ground floor (there is a small ramp to the entrance) and is equipped with an audio loop to help visitors with hearing problems.
At the northern end of the park the Tea Shop and Outdoor Living Shop are both on the ground floor and easily accessible. The Talbot Suite - our upstairs function room - has a lift as well as stairs, and an audio loop.
Accessible toilets are available at Rufford Abbey courtyard and Rufford Mill. A Changing Places toilet is available in Rufford Abbey courtyard. Collect RADAR keys from Visitor Information Office or nearby shop.
Cycling
Cycling is not allowed in the park, but we provide bike racks so you can park up and enjoy the paths and woodland walks on foot.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in our park, but please keep them on a lead. Bounding dogs can be frightening for small children or the elderly. They may also disturb birds and wildlife.
From 1 February 2013 a Dog Control Order came into force, which is a legally enforceable order granted by the District Council. This means that all dogs must be kept on a lead whilst in the country park. Any owner letting their dog off the lead or allowing their dogs to foul the park risks an £80 on the spot fine and court if they fail to pay.
If you want to talk to someone about dogs in the park, call into Visitor Information or speak to a park ranger.
Opening hours
The park opens seven days per week.
Shops: 10.30am - 5.00pm daily
Coach House Cafe: 10.00am - 5.00pm daily
Savile Restaurant: 12.00 - 2.00pm daily
Tourist Information Office & Mobility Scooter Hire: 10.30am - 4.30pm daily
Craft Centre Gallery:10.30 - 5.00 (Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays)
Rufford Abbey & Rufford Mill Car parks are locked at 5.30pm daily.
