Rufford Abbey Country Park and Craft Centre

Country Park and Visitor Centre

Rufford Abbey sits in 150 acres of historic parkland, woodland and gardens in the North Nottinghamshire area known as the Dukeries.

This varied park includes 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.

Craft Centre

Rufford Craft Centre is set in the grounds of Rufford Abbey. While the abbey has been converted into a country house, its stable block has become the Craft Centre. Run by the County Council the Craft centre has a regular programme of exhibitions in the gallery, with a special focus on ceramics, and in a little over twenty years the gallery has gained an international reputation for its contemporary British craftwork.

A contemporary Sculpture Trail is also situated in the park together with an outdoor exhibition space in the Orangery.

The exhibition and education programmes are highly respected by experts and the facilities have been enhanced with the Rufford Ceramics Centre offering demonstrations and masterclasses by international ceramicists.

Rufford Craft Centre also offers the opportunity to participate in a variety of arts and craft forms through a programme of public creative workshops with professional artists.

To find out what exhibitions, events and workshops are coming up at Rufford Craft Centre please download our latest brochure [PDF 2MB].

What's on

• Rufford is the perfect place for a beautiful romantic evening.
  Enjoy a four course dinner with a glass of fizz, and music from Marty Wilson.

  Valentine's Day menu [PDF 78KB]

There are lots of interesting things happening this year, including the annual Earth and Fire Potters' Fair, and our winter illuminations event Aurora.

Things to see and do at Rufford

• Grand Historical Baazar - Saturday 12 and 13 May 2012 - 11am to 4.30pm
  

  
  
  
  Come along and take part in, or simply visit, our annual large historical multi-period Bring and Buy sale! Covering all periods, there will be something of interest for every visitor, historical trader, enthusiast, re-enactor, historical group, and schoolchild.

   

  There’s plenty to browse, buy and to look at. Bring along those unwanted historical or historically themed items! It’s a chance to sell, swap, buy, or even give away, all manner of new and second hand items, including: clothing, uniforms, model soldiers, militaria, equipment, weaponry, antiques, pictures, prints & postcards, books, DVDs, games and much more.

   

  There will also be period vehicles on show, and re-enactors here in costume, with their multi period living history activities and displays taking place throughout the weekend.

   

  Visitors, why not ‘dress to impress’ in period style!

   

  Stall holders, re-enactors, traders and others wishing to take part can book a modestly priced selling pitch. Book both days in advance and get a discount.  Overnight camping is available onsite for all registered participants.

  
  For full event details please contact Howard Giles at EventPlan on 01509 815645 or email admin@eventplan.co.uk . To book online go to www.eventplan.co.uk

  
  

• Woodland and lakeside walks

• Explore the changing exhibitions of contemporary art and craft in the Rufford Craft Centre Brochure Jan - June 2012 [PDF 2MB]

• Romantic ruins of 12th century abbey and later country house

• Children's garden - for youngsters aged three to eight

• Children's play village (summer only)

• Health walks: every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at 2pm. Meet in the Craft Centre courtyard. Routes are designed to avoid steep slopes or taxing terrain, and the pace is relaxed. They're suitable for wheelchair users and push chairs, and dogs are welcome (on a lead please). Walks are free, last around one hour, and are followed by tea/coffee and biscuits.

• Exhibition on the life of Rufford's medieval monks

• Modern sculpture trail

• Savile Restaurant and Coach House Cafe

• The Camera Obscura

• The Wheel of Fortune Maze

• Modern ceramics in the Apsidal Gallery

• Great free events, such as our 1940s Living History Weekend, where you can experience what life was like on the Home Front during the 1940s. Enjoy 1940s music and dance, demonstrations and displays, see soldiers and civilians in WWII costume, browse the stalls in the historic traders area, and listen to a rousing speech as Mr Churchill arrives to review the troops. Whether you remember the wartime era, or only ever read about it in history books, this colourful event brings it all to life. Entry free - normal weekend car parking charge applies. The 2012 weekend will take place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September.

Awards and honours

Rufford Abbey Country Park holds a quality award from the Enjoy England Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme, and is a Natural England Accredited Country Park.