Rufford Abbey

About

Rufford Abbey holds the best-preserved remains of a Cistercian abbey west cloister range in England, built for the white monks after Gilbert de Gaunt, Earl of Lincoln, founded the abbey in 1146. After its suppression in 1536 the estate passed to the Earls of Shrewsbury, and the sixth earl, fourth husband of Bess of Hardwick, turned the west range into a house that the Savile family later made their seat. Inside are a late 14th-century window framed by carved heads and a medieval night stair, but the interior is currently closed for conservation, so for now the ruins are seen from outside. The abbey stands in Rufford Abbey Country Park, owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and run by Parkwood Outdoors, and reviewers enjoy the lakeside and woodland walks, the play area and the interactive exhibition on the abbey's past. Dogs on leads are welcome. One tip from visitors: the country park car park is charged, paid at the machines or by app.

Historic SiteDog friendlyDogs on leads

Check today’s timesFrom English Heritage's calendar

See notice

See Rufford Abbey Country Park's website for more information on opening times.

From English Heritage's published calendar, updated 1 October 2026, with dates up to 16 March 2027.

Opening times may change at short notice.

Open daily. English Heritage refers visitors to Rufford Abbey Country Park for opening times; the park gives core hours of 10am to 4pm daily, with extra hours on some bank holidays, school holidays and event days.

The inside of the abbey ruins is currently closed to visitors for conservation; the exterior can still be viewed.

Owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and managed by Parkwood Outdoors in co-operation with English Heritage. Entry to the abbey remains is free to everyone.

Accessibility: Only partly accessible for wheelchair users; ramped entry to the undercroft at the rear, steps to the upper level, and uneven stone floors and low light in the undercroft.

Facilities: English Heritage has none on site; toilets, a cafe, restaurant, shops, gardens, woodland, nature trails and a play area are in the surrounding country park.

Parking: No English Heritage parking. The Rufford Abbey Country Park car park is charged and not managed by English Heritage; tariff not confirmed from an official source.

Photo: Enchufla Con Clave. CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rufford_Abbey,_Notts_(1).jpg. Resized for display.

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on leads are welcome at the abbey remains, which are free to visit in the country park.

Leads: On leads.

PricingFreeFree for all visitors

Free entry for everyone

Entry

Free for everyone

Pricing details

Free to everyone. The abbey remains stand in a free public country park; car parking is charged separately.

ParkingParking not known

The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.

Parking details

No English Heritage parking. The Rufford Abbey Country Park car park is charged and not managed by English Heritage; tariff not confirmed from an official source.

Driving arrival: Rufford Abbey Country Park Car Park (Google listing), about 450m west of the abbey; the abbey is approached from the car park over a 19th-century bridge.