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← Back✦ Historic site

Rufford Abbey Cistercian monastery: monastic precinct, water-management works, pre-monastic open-field system and post-medieval building

10 ha

📷 norman griffin · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsHeritage
Free entryDogs welcome10 ha

Getting here

53.17745, -1.03562

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • ☕Café on site — a good base for a longer summer day out

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CaféParking· PaidPlaygroundToilets

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Mallard +83 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Mallard +83 more · last seen 2026

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Syrphus, Dark-edged Bee-fly, Cream-streaked Ladybird +5 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Syrphus, Dark-edged Bee-fly, Cream-streaked Ladybird +5 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Easy access

parking, toilets

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby · 15 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Southwell TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Greenwood TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Dukeries TrailWalking route
Named route
Major Oak TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Giants TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

36 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 645Cycling route
Named routeRef 645National Cycle Network
Route 645Cycling route
Named routeRef 645National Cycle Network
Route 6Cycling route
Named routeRef 6National Cycle Network
NCN National Route 648Cycling route
Named routeRef 648National Cycle Network
National Byway (Southwell Loop)Cycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route376 m
Named routeRef 6Length 376 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
🚵

Mountain biking

4 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Family Cycle RouteMountain bike route
Named routeRef Green Route
Outlaw TrailMountain bike route
Named routeRef Red Route
Viking TrailMountain bike route
Named routeRef Blue Route
Bike Park & Downhill RouteMountain bike route
Named route
🐴

Horse riding

5 public paths nearby

Public paths
Vexation Lanebyway open to all traffic · 145 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 145 mPath type: service
Vexation Lanebyway open to all traffic · 453 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 453 mPath type: service
Vexation Lanebyway open to all traffic · 39 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 39 mSurface dirtPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Rufford Abbey Gardens

📷 norman griffin · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Rufford Abbey Gardens

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Rufford Country ParkUrban park100 m→🌱Sherwood ForestUrban park3.2 km→🌱Forest Holidays Sherwood ForestUrban park3.9 km→🌱Rufford Rose GardenUrban park100 m→🌱Reg Hookway ArboretumUrban park200 m→🏞️RUFFORDCountry park200 m→

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