Country Parks Opening Hours
See below for opening times of park visitor facilities such as toilets, car parks, shops and catering.
We open seven days per week all year round, except Christmas Day when all public facilities are closed.
Times shown are core opening hours for visitor facilities. Occasionally, due to demand or on sunny summer evenings, shops and catering may stay open a little longer.
Core hours
Summer: 10.00 - 17.00.
Winter: 10.00 - 16.30 (ends weekend preceeding February half term)
| Area | Rufford Abbey Country Park |
Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve |
Bestwood Country Park |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Toilets |
Toilets available at both Rufford Abbey (Craft Centre Courtyard) & Rufford Mill. Disabled toilet in the Craft Centre Courtyard. Open: 10.00 - 17.00 |
Toilets are available at the Visitor Centre. Disabled toilet adjoining the Ranger’s Office. Open: 10.00 - 17.00 |
Toilets are available close to Alexandra Lodge and the Classroom (Bestwood village end of park). Open 10.00 - 17.00 (Mar - Oct) and 10.00 - 16.30 (Nov - Feb) Toilets at Bestwood Lodge Drive closed until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Disabled toilet available at the toilet block close to Alexandra Lodge (Radar key). |
| Car parks |
Main car park is at Rufford Abbey (off A614). Second car park at Rufford Mill (Wellow Lane, off A614, signed for Rufford Mill and Rufford Park Golf Course). £3 charge per car at weekends and Bank Hols, from Sat 4th April 2009 through to 13th December 2009 and daily throughout the school summer holidays. Free at other times Season car park pass valid at both Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest Country Parks - £15. Free parking all year for disabled badge holders, coaches & motorcycles. |
Car parks are located close to the Visitor Centre (10-15 mins walk to the Major Oak). £3 charge per car at weekends and Bank Hols, from Sat 4th April 2009 through to 13th December 2009, and daily through the school summer holidays. Free at other times. Season car park pass valid at both Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest Country parks - £15. Free parking all year for disabled badge holders, coaches & motorcycles. |
Two car parks – one at Bestwood Lodge Drive (near Bestwood Lodge Hotel), one at the Winding Engine House, (Bestwood Village). Both open: 10.00 – 17.00 Mar - Oct and 10.00 - 16.30 Nov - Feb. Disabled parking (can be booked in advance tel. 0115 927 3674) located next to Alexandra Lodge (Bestwood Village). Parking at Bestwood is free, all year round. |
|
Catering Tel: 01623 821310 for booking & more details. |
Coach House Café Serves light snacks & refreshments. Open: 10.00–17.00 daily.(16.30 winter) Savile Restaurant Cooked lunches, afternoon teas, etc. Open: 11.00–15.00 Monday–Saturday 11.00 – 16.00 Sunday. Hot meals served 12.00–14.00 only. Booking recommended. Closed Jan. |
The Forest Table Restaurant at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre is open daily: 10.00 – 17.00 summer 10.30 – 16.00 winter. |
Bestwood has no public catering facilities. However, the privately owned Bestwood Lodge Hotel Picnic tables are located in various parts of the park. |
| Shops |
Gift Shop and Craft Shop are located at Rufford Abbey Open daily: 10.30 – 17.00. (16.30 winter) Outdoor Living Shop (Rufford Mill) open daily: 10.30 – 17.00.(16.30 winter) Lakeside Garden Shop (Rufford Mill) open daily: 10.00 – 17.00.(16.30 winter) |
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre has two shops. Both open daily: 10.00–17.00 summer. |
There are no shops at Bestwood Country Park. |
| Other Facilities | The Craft Centre Gallery is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday and all Bank Holidays, during exhibitions. |
Sherwood Forest Visitor Information Point
Sherwood Forest Country Park has a Visitor Information Centre giving both park information and details of other places to visit in the Sherwood Forest area. Open seasonally - Winter: Weekends only 11.00 – 16.00. Summer: 11.00 – 16.00 daily.
Rufford Abbey Information Point
The Rufford Abbey Visitor Information Point is open every day except Christmas Day, 10.30 - 16.30 daily.
