Country Parks Opening Hours
The outdoor areas of the country park are accessible from dawn to dusk, 364 days per year (closed Christmas Day).
See below for opening times of visitor facilities such as shops and catering. In general these open seven days per week all year round, except for Christmas Day. Times shown are core opening hours. Occasionally, due to demand or on sunny summer evenings, shops and catering may stay open a little longer.
Core hours
Summer: 10.00 - 17.00.
Winter: 10.00 - 16.30.
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Toilets available at both Rufford Abbey (Craft Centre Courtyard) & Rufford Mill. Disabled toilet in the Craft Centre Courtyard.
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Toilets are available at the Visitor Centre. Disabled toilet adjoining the Ranger’s Office.
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Toilets are available close to Alexandra Lodge and the Classroom (Bestwood village end of park). Toilets also available at Bestwood Lodge Drive Car Park. Disabled toilet at both toilet blocks (Radar key).
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Main car park is at Rufford Abbey (off A614). Second car park at Rufford Mill (Wellow Lane, off A614, signed for Rufford Mill and Rufford Park Golf Course). £3 charge per car at weekends and Bank Hols, from Easter to 14th December 2008 and daily throughout the school summer holidays. Free at other times Season car park pass valid at both Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest Country Parks - £15. Free parking all year for disabled badge holders, coaches & motorcycles.
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Car parks are located close to the Visitor Centre (10-15 mins walk to the Major Oak). £3 charge per car at weekends and Bank Hols, from Easter to 14th December 2008, and daily through the school summer holidays. Free at other times. Season car park pass valid at both Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest Country parks - £15. Free parking all year for disabled badge holders, coaches & motorcycles.
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Two car parks – one at Bestwood Lodge Drive (near Bestwood Lodge Hotel), one at the Winding Engine House, (Bestwood Village). Both open: 10.00 – 17.00. Disabled parking (can be booked in advance tel:0115 927 3674) located next to Alexandra Lodge (Bestwood Village). Parking at Bestwood is free, all year round.
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Coach House Café Serves light snacks & refreshments. Open: 10.00–17.00 daily.(16.30 winter) Savile Restaurant Cooked lunches, afternoon teas, etc. Open: 11.00–15.00 Monday–Saturday 11.00 – 16.00 Sunday. Hot meals served 12.00–14.00 only. Booking recommended. Closed Jan.
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The Forest Table Restaurant is open daily: 10.00 – 17.00 summer 10.30 – 16.00 winter. Traditional Sunday lunch just £4.99 per person. Special Offer! 1 children’s meal for 99p with every adult Sunday lunch purchased.
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Bestwood has no public catering facilities. Picnic tables are located in various parts of the park.
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Gift Shop and Craft Shop are located at Rufford Abbey Open daily: 10.30 – 17.00. (16.30 winter) Outdoor Living Shop (Rufford Mill) open daily: 10.30 – 17.00.(16.30 winter) Lakeside Garden Shop (Rufford Mill) open daily: 10.00 – 17.00.(16.30 winter)
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Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre has two shops. Both open daily: 10.00–17.00 summer.
10.30–16.00 winter.
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There are no shops at Bestwood Country Park.
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Visitor information point Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest Country Park has a Visitor Information Centre giving both park information and details of other places to visit in the Sherwood Forest area.
Open seasonally: Winter: Weekends only: 11.00 – 16.00. Summer: 11.00 – 16.00 daily.
Rufford Craft Centre
Exhibition Gallery & Ceramic Centre open daily 10.30 – 17.00 March - end December, daily 10.30 - 16.30 January & February
Please note: The Gallery closes for a short time during changeover of exhibitions. See www.ruffordcraftcentre.org.uk/whatson/index.htm for exhibition programme.
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