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 comprises a Gallery with a changing programme of exhibitions, Creative Learning Centre and seminar room all housed in the former stable block which dates from the 1660s. A second smaller gallery in the Orangery displays a selection of our ceramic collection and a contemporary Sculpture Trail is to be discovered in the park.
The Craft Centre offers the opportunity to participate in workshops in a variety of art and craft forms through a programme of public creative workshops with professional artists.
We also offer an extensive education and outreach programme for schools and groups. Details of which can be found in our education pages.
A highlight of our programme is the annual Earth & Fire International Ceramics Fair link which takes over the Abbey grounds at the end of June each year.
To find out about exhibitions, events and workshops coming up at Rufford Craft Centre please download our latest brochure [PDF].
Rufford Gallery current exhibition
Right Royal Extravaganza - Tuesday 15 May to Sunday 10 June 2012
We're celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a Right Royal Extravaganza. The gallery is adorned with bunting, photographs and memorabilia from the Queen's Coronation, Silver and Golden Jubilees and commemorative plates and mugs painted by visitors preceeding the show. Crowns, mugs, plates and thrones designed by artists and makers on a Diamond Jubilee theme also feature.
What's on
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
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Woodland and lakeside walks
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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
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Children's garden - for youngsters aged three to eight
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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.
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Exhibition on the life of Rufford's medieval monks
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Modern sculpture trail
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Savile Restaurant and Coach House Cafe
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The Camera Obscura
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The Wheel of Fortune Maze
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Modern ceramics in the Apsidal Gallery
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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.
