Where to go · Nottinghamshire
Forest bathing at Rufford Abbey Country Park
Woodland walks, a lake and the ruins of a 12th century abbey, with level, accessible paths near Ollerton.
Rufford Abbey Country Park, south of Ollerton, is built around the remains of a 12th century Cistercian abbey and later country house, set in grounds and woodland with a lake. It is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and is a busy family park, with gardens, a sculpture trail, cafés and a playground. It is not wild woodland, but it is an easy, well looked after place for a first go at slowing down among trees.
The park has two car parks off the A614. The Abbey car park is close to the ruins, gardens and play area; the Mill car park on Rufford Lane is the one to use for the woodland walks and the lake. Most of the park is accessible, with free wheelchair loan and mobility scooter hire. A lap of the lake takes about 20 minutes, and the woods beyond are the calmer part of a visit.
Practical
- Managed by
- Nottinghamshire County Council, managed by Parkwood Outdoors
- Parking
- Pay and display at the Abbey and Mill car parks (card or app)
- Terrain
- Mostly level paths; most areas accessible
- Facilities
- Cafés, ice cream parlour, playground; free wheelchair loan and mobility scooter hire
- Opening and entry
- Free entry, car park charge; grounds open dawn to dusk, every day except Christmas Day
- Official page
- ruffordabbey.co.uk
Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.
Guides nearby
A guide within 15 miles of Rufford Abbey Country Park
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Joanne Aylwin
Edwinstowe area, Nottinghamshire
UnclaimedTrained by The Forest Bathing Institute
Public group sessions
More woodlands in Nottinghamshire
All venues in Nottinghamshire
Blidworth WoodsPine woods and heath at the southern end of Sherwood, with free parking
Clumber ParkWoods, heath and a serpentine lake, with a two mile double avenue of limes
Sherwood ForestOver a thousand ancient oaks around the Major Oak, near EdwinstowePhotos: Blidworth Woods, Alan Murray-Rust (CC BY-SA 2.0); Clumber Park, Mick Lobb (CC BY-SA 2.0); Sherwood Forest, Phil Champion (CC BY-SA 2.0).