Country parks opening hours
See below for opening times of park visitor facilities such as toilets, car parks, shops and catering.
We open seven days per week all year round, except Christmas Day when all public facilities are closed.
Times shown are core opening hours for visitor facilities. 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 - 16.00 (from end October to weekend preceeding February half term)
Please see below for details of individual facilities.
| Area | Rufford Abbey Country Park, NG22 9DF |
Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve NG21 9HN |
Bestwood Country Park, NG6 8UF |
|---|---|---|---|
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Toilets |
Toilets available at both Rufford Abbey (Craft Centre Courtyard) and Rufford Mill. Disabled toilet in the Craft Centre Courtyard. Open: 10.00 - 17.00 |
Toilets are available at the Visitor Centre. Disabled toilet adjoining the Ranger’s Office. Summer open: 10.00 - 17.00 Winter weekdays open: 10.00 - 16.00 Winter weekends open: 10.00 - 17.00 |
Toilets are available close to Alexandra Lodge and the Classroom (Bestwood village end of park). Open 10.00 - 17.00 (Mar - Oct) and 10.00 - 16.30 (Nov - Feb) Toilets at Bestwood Lodge Drive open March - October 10am - 5pm, Nov - Feb 10am-4.30pm Disabled toilet available at the above and also at toilet block close to Alexandra Lodge (Radar key). |
| Car parks |
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). Both locked at 5.30pm £3 charge per car at weekends and Bank Hols, from Friday 2nd April through to Sun 12th December 2010 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 and 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 Friday 2nd April 2009 through to Sunday 12th December 2010, and daily through the school summer holidays. Free at other times. During Robin Hood Festival week (only) car parking is £5 per car. Season car park pass valid at both Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest Country parks - £15. Free parking all year for disabled badge holders, coaches and motorcycles. |
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 Mar - Oct and 10.00 - 16.30 Nov - Feb. 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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Catering Tel: 01623 821310 for booking & more details. |
Coach House Café Light snacks and refreshments. Open: Summer: 10.00–17.00 daily. Winter 10.00-16.30 weekdays 10.00-17.00 weekends. 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. Please note that through December the Christmas Menu only is served, and advance booking is essential. Savile Winter Closing: Jan 2010 to February half term - open weekends only. |
The Forest Table Restaurant at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre is open daily: 10.00 – 17.00 summer 10.30 – 16.00 winter weekdays 10.30 - 17.00 winter weekends. Winter season runs from the start of November until February half term. |
Bestwood has no public catering facilities. However, the privately owned Bestwood Lodge Hotel Picnic tables are located in various parts of the park. |
| Shops |
Gift Shop and Craft Shop are located at Rufford Abbey Open daily: Summer 10.30 – 17.00. Winter 10.30 - 16.30 weekdays 10.30 - 17.00 weekends. 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) |
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre has two shops. Both open daily: 10.00–17.00 summer. 10.30–16.00 winter.weekdays 10.30 - 17.00 winter weekends. Winter season runs from the start of November until February half term. |
There are no shops at Bestwood Country Park. |
| Other Facilities | The Craft Centre Gallery is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday and all Bank Holidays, during exhibitions. |
Sherwood Forest Visitor Information Point
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 Abbey Information Point
The Rufford Abbey Visitor Information Point and mobility scooter hire is open daily 10.30am - 4.30pm except Christmas Day.
for details.of exhibitions, workshops and other events.