Name: Rufford Abbey Country Park
Rating: 5.0

Rufford Abbey Country Park

Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG22 9DF, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Rufford Abbey The best-preserved remains of a Cistercian abbey west cloister range in England, dating mainly from around 1170. Incorporated into part of a 17th century and later mansion, set in Rufford Country Park.

In 1146 Gilbert de Gaunt, Earl of Lincoln, founded the Cistercian abbey of St Mary the Virgin. The monks of this order, also known as the ‘white monks’ because of their habits of undyed wool, believed in the value of an austere life based upon prayer and hard work. Rufford Abbey was moderately wealthy and able to sustain a community of monks between its completion in about 1170 and its suppression in 1536.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Rufford Abbey: In 1146 Gilbert de Gaunt, Earl of Lincoln, founded the Cistercian abbey of St Mary the Virgin. The monks of this order, also known as the ‘white monks’ because of their habits of undyed wool, believed in the value of an austere life based upon prayer and hard work. Rufford Abbey was moderately wealthy and able to sustain a community of monks between its completion in about 1170 and its suppression in 1536.
Rufford was one of the first abbeys in England to be affected by the Suppression of the Monasteries, and the whole estate was quickly acquired by George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury. The conversion of the west range of monastic buildings into a house (1560–90) was undertaken by the sixth earl, who was the fourth and final husband of the indomitable Bess of Hardwick, from whom he was then bitterly estranged. In 1610, a new projecting wing was added to the northern end of this range. The estate was inherited in 1626 by Mary Talbot, sister of the 7th and 8h Earls of Shrewsbury, and it passed to her husband, George Savile.
The Savile Family: William Savile, George’s successor, made Rufford Abbey the seat of the Savile family after he burnt down the Saviles’ original home in order to prevent its being occupied by a Parliamentarian garrison during the Civil War.
The 20th Century: The abbey and park were bought by Nottinghamshire County Council in 1952, and the north and east wings were demolished in 1956. The remaining west range and south service wing were put into the care of the Ministry of Works at the same date.
Description: The abbey is approached from the car park over the 19th-century Jacobean-style bridge. The roofed porch formed the original main entrance to the Earl of Shrewsbury’s 16th-century house. The inner double doors lead into the now ruined Brick Hall, which formed a grand initial reception room for the post-suppression house. This area of the building originally formed the lay brothers’ dormitory.
Original Abbey Site: Immediately in front of the night stair is a large area of open lawn – this was the location of the original abbey church and the 1670s northern wing of the house.

Facilities

Parking: The abbey remains sit within Rufford Abbey Country Park, a 150 acre public park, and this has a car park. The car park is not managed by English Heritage and there is a charge for it.
Food & Drinks: English Heritage has no facilities at Rufford Abbey but it is very close to the facilities in the surrounding country park where there are toilets, a café, a restaurant, a deli, a craft and gift shop, and an outdoor living shop. The country park also has a lake and a meadow, gardens, woodland, nature trails and a play area for children.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Daily: Parking charge applies - not managed by English Heritage.

Address: Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG22 9DF, UK

Post Code: NG22 9DF

Council: Newark and Sherwood

County: Nottinghamshire

Road Access: 2 miles south of Ollerton off A614.
Train Access: Mansfield 8 miles.
Bus Access: ‘The Sherwood Arrow’ (Stagecoach) service Nottingham – Worksop; also Travelwright 227 (Wed and Fri only).
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: The abbey remains sit within Rufford Abbey Country Park, a 150 acre public park, and this has a car park. The car park is not managed by English Heritage and there is a charge for it.