GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Rufford Abbey Country Park

3 miles (5 km)

Visit Rufford Country Park near Mansfield and explore 150 acres of historic parkland. In the park you will find a medieval monastery, a craft centre, formal gardens, woodland walks, a sculpture trail and a lake.
Rufford park once formed part of a 12th century Cistercian abbey and its estate.  It is now a country house estate surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland open to the public.
The Robin Hood Way Walk passes through the park so you can head north on to the nearby village of Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest Country Park, Clumber Country Park and Thoresby Park if you have time. Just a couple of miles to the south east there's also Sherwood Pines Forest Park.

Postcode

NG22 9DF - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Rufford Abbey Country Park OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Rufford Abbey Country Park Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The on site Coach House cafe was the original Coach House forming part of the stables and outer courtyard complex. The building dates back to 1725 and now houses a lovely cafe where you can enjoy some post walk refreshments.

Dog Walking

The woodland and parkland are ideal for dog walking so you'll probably see other owners on your visit. You are requested to keep them on leads.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the east is the International Outdoor Adventure Activity Centre at Walesby Forest and the worthy village of Laxton. It's a historic place and significant as being England’s Last Open Field Village. You can visit the 12th century church, the Norman Motte and find out all about the area's history in the local visitor centre.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Nottinghamshire Walks page.

Photos

Rufford Abbey (geograph 3674622)

Rufford Abbey

Rufford Abbey Country Park - the Lake - geograph.org.uk - 1767885

The Lake

The front figure in "Mea Culpa" - geograph.org.uk - 56829

The front figure in "Mea Culpa" statue, the inners made from pieces of 'Dexion' perforated strip metal and the outer from thin galvanised steel sheet, pop riveted together. Artist....Robert Bryce Muir

The Orangery (geograph 3107683)

The Orangery

Rufford Country Park - geograph.org.uk - 92495

Rufford Country Park. On the edge of historic Sherwood Forest, this 150 acre park is one of Nottinghamshire’s most popular visitor attractions. To the extreme right of this photo you can see the remains of a 12th century Cistercian monastery.

Colourful island at Rufford Park - geograph.org.uk - 438029

Colourful island at Rufford Park. The beautiful reds and greens contrast well on the banks of the island in Rufford Lake.

Rufford Abbey Parkland - geograph.org.uk - 1767871

Parkland

Rufford Abbey gardens - panoramio

The gardens

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Rufford Country Park.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Rufford Country Park.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)