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 голем клукајдрвец, обичен ползач, Обичен (Шумски) лазач, six species of tits and a varied assortment of finches — including обична ѕвингалка, обична зелентарка, дебелоклун црешар and билбилче. In the summer црноглаво грмушарче, обичен свиркач and брезов свиркач are abundant, and often large flocks of градска ластовичка and lesser numbers of селска ластовичка around the Abbey buildings. In the winter small flocks of елова зелентарка and Lesser Redpoll are to be seen in the wooded areas. голем северен нуркач often occur on the lake in winter. Other waterfowl: црвеноглав кожувар, цуцулест кожувар, дива гуска and Canada Goose and црвеноклун лебед.
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.

