Rufford Abbey Undercroft

Rufford Abbey was originally a 12th century Cistercian abbey but by the middle of the 14th Century numbers had dwindled, so when King Henry VIII started to dissolve the monasteries in 1536, Rufford was one of the first to go.

Rufford is now owned by Nottinghamshire County Council, with the responsibility for the buildings falling to English Heritage.  Great care has been taken to make what remains of this impressive Abbey accessible to visitors.

 The medieval vaulted stone Undercroft is where the monks would have eaten.  They had a spartan way of life, consisting only of prayer, work and study.

Rufford Abbey is within 150 acres of grounds, and contains a large lake full of wetfowl, a Craft Centre with Gallery, and several gift shops and eating places.  The only charge is car parking at week-ends.

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