Rufford Abbey Country Park
Rufford Abbey Country Park
Ollerton
Nottinghamshire
NG22 9DF
OS grid reference SK644647. Download a map of the park [PDF 247KB] 
Come and visit lovely Rufford Abbey Country Park, 150 acres of historic parkland, woodland and gardens in the North Nottinghamshire "Dukeries".
This peaceful and beautiful site features the ruins of a medieval monastery, a contemporary craft centre, gardens, woodland walks, children's play village, sculpture trail, and a lake. We have lots of special events too. Bring the family for a relaxing and inexpensive day out.
Entry to the park, gardens and Abbey is free with just a small seasonal charge for car parking. We're open all year round, every day except Christmas Day.
How to get here
Map showing how to get to Rufford Abbey Country Park (Link will open a new browser window)
For public transport to the park contact Traveline tel:0870 608 2 608 website: www.traveline.org.uk. If you are travelling by car you may find the AA Route Planner helpful in planning your route website: www.theaa.com/route-planner.
Contact us:
General enquiries tel: 01623 821338 daily 10.30 - 16.30
or 08449 80 80 80 (8.00 - 20.00 Monday to Friday and 8.00 to 12 noon Saturday) e-mail: info.rufford@nottscc.gov.uk
Catering: Savile Restaurant and Coach House Cafe: tel: 01623 821310.
You can get married at Rufford Mill! Please call for a brochure, tel: 01623 821310.
Rufford Maze - photo Pete Jenkins
Things to see and do
- Woodland and lakeside walks
- Romantic ruins of 12th century abbey and later country house
- Children's Play Village and Children's Garden - for youngsters aged three to eight
- Exhibition on the life of Rufford's medieval monks
- Modern sculpture trail
- Savile Restaurant & Coach House Cafe
- The Camera Obscura
- Modern ceramics in the Apsidal Gallery
- Fabulous free events such as the Earth and Fire international ceramics fair
- Contemporary craft exhibitions in the Craft Centre Gallery.
Getting around the park
The site is flat and easy to access for pushchairs, prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Take a look at our plan of the park including accessible routes [PDF 247KB] This is a large file and may take time to download.
Need more information about about getting around? Download our access statement [PDF 30KB]
Book mobility scooters and wheelchairs FREE! tel: 01623 821338 10.30am to 4.30pm daily, fax: 01623 824840
What's happening at Rufford this month?
Check the park calendar to find out what's happening on site this month.
Dogs and cycling
Dogs are welcome in our park, but please keep them on a lead.
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.
Award winning
Rufford Abbey Country Park is a Green Flag award winning park. It is also a quality assured visitor attraction under the VAQAS national award scheme, and a Natural England Accredited Country Park. In 2009 it won an England for Excellence Silver Tourism Award.
Join our volunteers
We welcome local people and visitors who want to get involved in the work of the park. Volunteers and helpers at conservation task days or park events are always welcome. Ring the Ranger team for a chat to find out more: tel: 01623 821334 or e-mail: leanne.diver@nottscc.gov.uk
Why not join the Friends of Rufford? It's a group of park supporters with a programme of social events, also offering the chance to get involved in exciting park improvement projects. The group also carries out fund raising, to help make Rufford an even better park for its users. Membership is just £10 per year (discount for two people at same address).
