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Description
Rufford Abbey Country Park is the estate and grounds of a former 12 century Cistercian Monastery and country house. One of the main country parks that make up the broader Sherwood Forest area. Rufford is about 150 acres in size and has both mature woodland and younger plantations, grassland, a lake and a cultivated garden area. There is a diverse range of trees in the park, including Silver Birch, Willow, Alder, Beech, Yew, Sycamore and Lime. Wildflower meadows have been added.
Birds to be seen here are typical of East Midlands deciduous woods like Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch, six species of tits and a varied assortment of finches — including Common Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Hawfinch and European Goldfinch. In the summer Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler are abundant, and often large flocks of House Martin and lesser numbers of Barn Swallow around the Abbey buildings. In the winter small flocks of Eurasian Siskin and Lesser Redpoll are to be seen in the wooded areas. Goosander often occur on the lake in winter. Other waterfowl: Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose and Canada Goose and Mute Swan.
Details
Access
There are two car parks, the larger (abbey or main) one off the A614 and the other (mill) off the minor road between the A614 and Wellow. Click on a P in the map to go to the parking of your choice. A car parking charge of £ 4 applies during school holidays, otherwise parking is free. Entry to the grounds and abbey ruins are free.