Mobility scooters and wheelchairs
Push wheelchairs are available on free loan at both Rufford and Sherwood Forest Country Parks.
At both sites we have two off road wheelchairs for children/teenagers. These are self propelled, and of a specially light and robust construction. They can be loaned free (an accompanying adult parent or carer must provide a security deposit). Please book in advance so we can have then out ready for you.
Electric mobility scooters are available daily at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre and at Rufford Abbey Country Park Visitor Information Office. A small loan charge of £2 per hour is made for mobility scooters. Please ring and book in advance.
Make a booking
Sherwood
Contact the rangers’ office (open from 10am to 4.30pm, daily) on tel: 01623 823 202.
Rufford Abbey
Visit the visitor information desk in the Craft Centre Courtyard, which is open daily 10.30am-4.30pm, or call them on tel: 01623 821 338.
Download an access map for Rufford Abbey Country Park [PDF 250KB]. 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.
Car parking
Please note that car parking charges now apply to all cars, including blue badge holders.
Parking charges apply at weekends and Bank Holidays from 1st April to 18th December 2011, and daily through school holiday weeks. Outside these times, parking is free for all cars.
Accessible buildings
Visitor facilities such as shops and restaurants at both Sherwood Forest and Rufford Country Parks are accessible for wheelchairs. There are disabled toilets at both sites.
Rufford Craft Centre includes 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 north end of the park the Tea Shop, Outdoor Living Shop and Garden Shop are all 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. An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor of Rufford Mill.
Paths and surfaces
Rufford Abbey Country Park
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.
tel: 01623 821 338 (daily 10.30am-4.30pm)
email: info.rufford@nottscc.gov.uk.
Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve
The visitor centre at Sherwood is situated on a level site and is fully accessible for wheelchairs. A number of paths, such as the Major Oak path, are accessible to wheelchairs, but please note that the oak is approximately half a mile from the visitor centre and that there are some slight gradients along the way.
For more detailed information please ask at the visitor information point or the rangers' office:
tel: 01623 823 202
email: sherwood.forest@nottscc.gov.uk.
Bestwood Country Park
Bestwood is the largest of our three parks, and has a varied landscape. The site includes some steep gradients. A number of paths are accessible to wheelchairs, and advice on the most suitable route is available from the ranger team, based at Alexandra Lodge.
Bestwood Winding Engine House, a fully restored colliery winding house, is opened by volunteers every Saturday between 10am and noon, from Easter to the end of October, and is free to visit. The tall building is fully accessible to mobility impaired visitors by means of a glass sided lift.
Disabled parking is available near Alexandra Lodge, and can be booked in advance.
From time to time we organise minibus tours for mobility impaired visitors unable to access the park on foot. Please contact the Bestwood Country Park ranger team for more details:
tel: 0115 927 3674
email: enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk.
