I love visiting this Nottinghamshire tourist gem - and here's what makes Rufford Abbey so special
I’d never heard of it before I moved to the area.
In fact, I don’t even remember the first time I visited Rufford Abbey. What I do remember is that I have been hooked on the place ever since.
I’m a big lover of history and nature and Rufford is the ideal spot to enjoy both of those passions.
If you enter Rufford Abbey Country Park, located just south of Ollerton, via the main entrance off the A614 pretty much the first thing you see will be the beautiful abbey building that gives the attraction its name.
It’s a real show-stopper and I was instantly captivated by what I saw. I love old buildings. They conjure up a world of mystery to me. Who lived there? What great events occurred over the centuries between these walls? How was life shaped by people inside Rufford Abbey? It’s a great topic to sit and ponder.
The building was originally a Cistercian abbey and was converted to a country house in the 16th century after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. Thank goodness England’s most famous king didn’t order its total destruction.
Wondering about the mysteries of life as you watch the world go by is rather easy at Rufford. There’s 150 acres of park and woodland to soak up, which offers more than enough space for everyone even on the hottest of summer days.
The gardens are picturesque, colourful and extremely well maintained with a nice variety of flowers, plants and sculptured trees. Perhaps it’s not going to match the Walled Garden at Clumber Park, but anyone visiting will certainly be able to cherish a calm moment or two.
At the other end of the gardens is an impressive playground and the perfect place for youngsters to go nuts and let off some steam.
The playground was revamped and expanded a few years ago, with a mini zip wire, new climbing areas and sandpit amongst the equipment now on offer. Well done, to those behind the improvements. It really helped enhance the visitor experience.
But no trip to Rufford, for anyone who loves the great outdoors, would be complete without a relaxing stroll around the boating lake and woodland walking areas.
It’s not something I’ve ever done but, if it’s your cup of tea, you can hire a rowing boat or a pedalo and get out on the water.
I’m a less adventurous sort and prefer to stay on dry land. I will always be drawn to walking and Rufford’s Wilderness Woodland area is a real winner in my book.
It boasts a number of informal crushed limestone paths through peaceful countryside.These woods have been known as the Wilderness since around 1725. Today they are a wildlife sanctuary and home to a range of common woodland mammals, including foxes, birds and squirrels.
Spending a full day here might be stretching it, but Rufford really is the perfect place to get away from it all for a few hours. The best bit is that all it costs is the price of parking your car.
With bills forever on the rise, all this for just £7 is a true bargain. We really are blessed to have Rufford on our doorstep.