Rufford Abbey

Rufford Abbey
Rufford Abbey
Location within Nottinghamshire
Monastery information
Other namesRufford Country Park
OrderCistercian
Established1147
Site
LocationRufford, near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, England
Coordinates53°10′31″N 01°02′08″W / 53.17528°N 1.03556°W / 53.17528; -1.03556
WebsiteRufford Abbey Country Park
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameRufford Abbey
Designated18 March 1949
Reference no.1302352
Designated1 January 1986
Reference no.1001085

Rufford Abbey is a country estate in Rufford, Nottinghamshire, England, two miles (4 km) south of Ollerton. Originally a Cistercian abbey, it was converted to a country house in the 16th century after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. Part of the house was demolished in the 20th century, but the remains, standing in 150 acres of park and woodland, are open to the public as Rufford Country Park. Part of the park is a local nature reserve. The remains of the house is owned by English Heritage and the country park is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and managed by Parkwood Leisure.

The house itself is constructed of rubble, brick, dressed stone and ashlar with ashlar dressings and plain tile roofs.