Rufford Abbey Country Park
Rufford is one of Nottinghamshire’s best country parks, it was originally a Cistercian monastery founded in 1145. After the reformation it became a grand country house with the Savile family(Earls of Scarborough) being the last aristocratic owners of the Abbey. The estate was sold off in 1938 and most of the mansion was demolished in 1956 because of dry rot and mining subsidence.
Notts History and Wikipedia give more details of the history of the Abbey.
Walks
Rufford walk 1 Moderate – 8.2 miles (13.1 Km) Sherwood Heath, Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Rufford Country Park and Old Ollerton.
Five Parks walk Moderate – 14 miles (22.5km). Mostly on good tracks or grass. A lot to see if you do your research first. Good spacing of tea rooms/pubs along the way.
Ollerton walk 2 Leisurely – 4.5 miles (7.2km) Start this highly rated walk in the attractive centre of Old Ollerton. It takes in Wellow with its famous maypole and Rufford Country Park with its abbey ruins. A very varied walk with some great views. Warning – flight of 141 steps down and up at old railway cutting. Add extra for walking round Old Ollerton, Wellow (see the village map) and Rufford Country Park. Recommended
Five Parks walk Challenging length – 14 miles (22.5km). Mostly on good tracks or grass. A lot to see if you do your research first. Good spacing of tea rooms/pubs along the way. Recommended but long
Sherwood Forest Information 