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There's plenty of flat open grass land for picnics and games. At the centre of Rufford Country Park are the ruins of a 12th century Cistercian monastery the 'basement' of which is now a replica of what was there originally (see pictures below). Around the buildings are gardens, meadows, a lake and lots of thickly forested woodland. Scattered throughout the gardens are pieces of 'art' (see pictures), there's also a craft center with displays by local artists. Warning - Rufford Park gets very busy on sunny weekends and school holidays, so if you have the option visit on a weekday. |
A short, flat walk from all the buildings there's a large lake with lots of water fowl. A gravel path provides easy access all around the lake, with bird feeding areas and picnic tables.
At the far end of the lake there's an old mill building - now a shop. Near the mill building is 'Ford' or road through a stream - lots of splashing cars. Rufford Country Park's main car parks are off the A614 - these are best if you are visiting the buildings, meadows or gardens. There is a second car park called 'Rufford Mill', this is off Rufford Lane. This is much nearer to the lake, ford and old mill shop. |
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| Features. Lake, Gardens Craft Centre Woodland Water Fowl |
Monastery Ruin Cafes, Toilets Car Park Free on Weekdays £3 on weekends and holidays |
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Attenborough Nature ReserveOver 140 hectares of reclaimed gravel pits along the banks of the River Trent. Great for birdwatching.Click here for more photos, wallpapers and information about Attenborough Nature Reserve. |
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park500 acres of parkland with woodland & lakeside walks. Home to the Nottingham Natural History Museum and the Industrial Museum. The park also has lots of Red and Fallow Deer.Click for more photos & info about Wollaton Hall |
NaturescapeA 'Wildflower Farm'. But it's not really a 'farm' in the normal sense, more a set of meadows and habitats all with slightly different conditions to encourage different wildflowers to grow.More images and info about Naturescape Wildflower Farm. |
Newstead AbbeyLarge gardens, parkland and lakes. With many different types of garden areas including - The Fern Garden, Rockery, Sub-Topical Garden, Spanish Garden and Japanese Garden.Click for pictures & info on Newstead Abbey Gardens |
Clumber ParkClumber park has over 3,800 acres, with woods & forest, open heath, with a lake at its center and the longest avenue of lime trees in Europe.Click here for info and photographs of Clumber Park |
Greens WindmillGeorge Greens' Mill is a fully working windmill. It was owned in the 19th century by the mathematical physicist George Green.Click here for info and Pictures of George Green's Windmill |
Sherwood ForestOld Oak and Birch Forest woodland. North Nottinghamshire. Location of the Major Oak, from the legend of Robin Hood.Click for photos, wallpapers & info on Sherwood Forest Country Park |
Rufford Country ParkA large 150 acre Country Park in the North of Nottinghamshire on the edge of Sherwood Forest.Click for more pictures and info on Rufford Country Park |
Gunthorpe Lock on the River TrentBetween Nottingham and Newark on Trent off the A6097. Working lock and river side walk.Click for pictures and extra info about Gunthorpe Lock. |
University Park & LakeThe University of Nottingham Park and lake, located to the West of the City center. A nice quite spot in a busy city, open to the public.Click here for lots more info and photos of University Park. |
Colwick Park Lakes - Nottingham3 very large gravel pits have been transformed into lakes and a marina. The lakes are a good location for views of water birds.Click for picture and info about Colwick Park & Lakes. |
Newark on Trent Castle & Lock.A lovely old market town to the North East of Nottingham. The Castle ruin is on the banks of the River Trent very near to the working locks.Click for pictures and info on Newark on Trent & Newark Lock |
Southwell MinsterSouthwell Minster is a minster and a cathedral, located in the town of Southwell in North Nottinghamshire, 14 miles north east of Nottingham.Click for more photos and info about Southwell Minster. |
Holme Pierrepont National Water sports Center
Along the side of the River Trent just outside Nottingham. Includes a long rowing coarse, a fast flowing canoe slalom coarse and calmer practice lakes. It's free to enter.Click for more information and photo from Holme Pierrepont. |