Events 2016-2017

Rufford Country Park Events Oct-March

One Sky, One World

Sunday 11th October

10am - 4pm

Rufford Country Park

The Midland Kite Fliers will be at Rufford taking part in the global ONE SKY, ONE WORLD event. The event is non-political and aims to promote peace and harmony across the world. More information can be found at www.oneskyoneworld.org

Please note that in bad weather this event may be changed or cancelled

Car Park charges apply

Introduction to Spoon Carving

Saturday 22^nd October 2016

10:15am – 4pm.

Rufford Country Park, Meet outside Tourist Information. 

£30.00 per person

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338

An adult only workshop intended for beginners. Gain an understanding of the process of spoon carving using different types of wood and tools, and take home with your own unique creation.

Tea, coffee and tools provided. You will need to bring your lunch, cold refreshments and wear suitable clothing and stout footwear. 

Rufford Abbey Ghost Tour

Thursday 27^th October 2016

7:45pm – 10:30pm

Rufford Abbey Country Park

£10 per person, participants must be 16 years and over.

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338

With Halloween on the horizon come and join the Northern Ghost Research and Investigation Team - UK (NGRIT) as they conduct their investigations around the Abbey ruins and surrounding area. 

Patrick Firth, founder and lead investigator for NGRIT said: “Rufford Abbey is one of our favourite locations for research, it is extremely paranormally active and one of the most fascinating sites we regularly like to investigate, we are delighted to be hosting another ghost walk here.

This event is not suitable for wheel chairs or people with mobility issues.

Please wear sensible shoes or boots and warm clothing as the event takes place outside.

Halloween Trail

Saturday 22^nd – Sunday 30^th October 2016

10.30am – 3.30pm

Rufford Abbey Country Park

£1 per trail, Available from Tourist Information

1 leaflet = 1 chocolate

This is a self-guided trail; follow the clues to spot spooky characters hidden in the park. Complete the trail to collect your chocolate reward at the end.

W – Does cross grassy areas

Car Park Charges Apply

Halloween Story telling

Sunday 30^th October 2016

3 sessions at 1pm, 2pm & 3pm

Rufford Country Park

£1 per ticket

Come and join us for a family session of spooky stories told by Tom the Tale Teller.

Numbers are limited, 1^st come 1^st served basis.

Not suitable for under 5’s

Car park charge apply

Introduction to Pole-lathing

Sunday 13^th November 2016

9:30am– 3.:30pm

Rufford Abbey Country Park, Meet outside Tourist Information.

£30.00 per person

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338

An adult only workshop intended for beginners. An introduction to wood turning on the traditional pole lathe. A friendly and informal course during which participants will have the opportunity to use traditional tools and to turn simple objects.

Tea, Coffee and tools provided. You will need to bring your lunch, cold refreshments and wear suitable clothing and stout footwear.

Course is quite strenuous so is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Christmas Trail

Saturday 19^th November – Friday 23^rd December 2016

10.30am – 3.30pm

Rufford Abbey Country Park

£1 per trail, Available from Tourist Information

1 leaflet = 1 chocolate

This is a self-guided trail; Santa and his elves are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas at the North Pole, but as they came through the park they lost all their decorations. Following clues, find your way through the park to the mill and collect your chocolate reward.

W – Does cross grassy areas

Car Park Charges Apply

Sempre (Not confirmed yet)

Sunday 4^th December 2016

2pm to 4pm

Rufford Country Park, Coach House Courtyard

Free event

Join us in welcoming back this sensational ladies singing group who will be performing seasonal music to remind us that Christmas is just around the corner.

Car Park Charges Apply

Dave Charles, Magician

Sunday 4^th December 2016

2pm to 4pm

Rufford Country Park, Rufford Mill Santa’s Grotto.

Free Event

Marvel at magician Dave Charles and his extensive box of magic tricks as you wait to see Santa in his grotto (Charge applies to see Santa)

Car Park Charges Apply

A Children’s Tale

Saturday 10^th December 2016

4:30pm to 6:30pm (Approximate finish time)

Rufford Country Park

£5 per person, not suitable for under 4’s. Pre booking and pre-payment required, Tickets available from Tourist Information. 10:30am - 4:30pm. 01623 821338

 Join us here at Rufford for an evening of magic in our woodland hide away. Come and listen to the old man of the woods whilst he tells you a tale full of Christmas spirit.

 Event involves a short walk into the woodland, please dress warmly with suitable footwear and bring a torch.  Not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Car Park Charges Apply – Unless arriving after 3:30pm

Hucknall and Linby Brass Band

Sunday 11^th December 2016

2pm to 4pm

Rufford Country Park, Coach House Courtyard

Hucknall and Lindy brass band will be returning to Rufford’s courtyards this December after their successful summer performance. They will be playing a host of seasonal music to get visitors in the mood for Christmas.

Car Park Charges Apply

Paul Temple – Entertainer

Sunday 11^th December 2016

2pm to 4pm

Rufford Country Park, Rufford Mill Santa’s Grotto.

New to our Christmas programme and following on from his success at Rufford this summer, Paul Temple will be returning to entertain all who are waiting to see Santa in his grotto (Charge applies to see Santa)

Car Park Charges Apply

A Children’s Tale

Sunday 11^th December 2016

4:30pm to 6:30pm (Approximate finish time)

Rufford Country Park

£5 per person, not suitable for under 4’s. Pre booking and pre-payment required, Tickets available from Tourist Information. 10:30am - 4:30pm. 01623 821338

 Join us here at Rufford for an evening of magic in our woodland hide away. Come and listen to the old man of the woods whilst he tells you a tale full of Christmas spirit.

 Event involves a short walk into the woodland, please dress warmly with suitable footwear and bring a torch.  Not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Car Park Charges Apply – Unless arriving after 3:30pm

A Children’s Tale

Saturday 17th^th December 2016

4:30pm to 6:30pm (Approximate finish time)

Rufford Country Park

£5 per person, not suitable for under 4’s. Pre booking and pre-payment required, Tickets available from Tourist Information. 10:30am - 4:30pm. 01623 821338

 Join us here at Rufford for an evening of magic in our woodland hide away. Come and listen to the old man of the woods whilst he tells you a tale full of Christmas spirit.

 Event involves a short walk into the woodland, please dress warmly with suitable footwear and bring a torch.  Not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Car Park Charges Apply – Unless arriving after 3:30pm

 QM Barbershop Quartet

Sunday 18^th December 2016

2pm to 4pm

Rufford Country Park, Coach House Courtyard

This male barbershop quartet are becoming a regular feature on Rufford’s Christmas calendar. Now In their 3^rd year they will be musically setting the Christmas scene as The Big Day draws near.

Car Park Charges Apply

Freddie the Magician

Sunday 18^th December 2016

2pm to 4pm

Rufford Country Park, Rufford Mill Santa’s Grotto.

Freddie proved very popular at last years grotto with his particular brand of magic and amusing tales so we invited him back again to entertain you whilst you wait to see Santa down at his grotto.

Car Park Charges Apply

A Children’s Tale

Sunday 18^th December 2016

4:30pm to 6:30pm (Approximate finish time)

Rufford Country Park

£5 per person, not suitable for under 4’s. Pre booking and pre-payment required, Tickets available from Tourist Information. 10:30am - 4:30pm. 01623 821338

 Join us here at Rufford for an evening of magic in our woodland hide away. Come and listen to the old man of the woods whilst he tells you a tale full of Christmas spirit.

 Event involves a short walk into the woodland, please dress warmly with suitable footwear and bring a torch.  Not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Car Park Charges Apply – Unless arriving after 3:30pm

Rufford Abbey Ghost Tour

Tuesday 20^th December 2016

7:45pm – 10:30pm

Rufford Abbey Country Park

£10 per person, participants must be 16 years and over.

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338

With Christmas on the horizon come and join the Northern Ghost Research and Investigation Team - UK (NGRIT) as they conduct their investigations around the Abbey ruins and surrounding area.

Patrick Firth, founder and lead investigator for NGRIT said: “Rufford Abbey is one of our favourite locations for research, it is extremely paranormally active and one of the most fascinating sites we regularly like to investigate, we are delighted to be hosting another ghost walk here.

This event is not suitable for wheel chairs or people with mobility issues.

Please wear sensible shoes or boots and warm clothing as the event takes place outside.

An Introduction to Hedge laying

Saturday 21^st January 2017

9:30am– 3.:30pm

Rufford Abbey Country, Meet outside Tourist Information. 

£20.00 per person

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338

An adult only course for complete beginners to traditional hedge-laying. earn about local methods and traditions of hedge-laying, traditional hand tools and the natural history of hedgerows whilst receiving hands on experience of laying our millennium hedge.

Te, Coffee and tools provided. You will need to bring your lunch, cold refreshments and wear suitable clothing and stout footwear.

Course is quite strenuous and involves working at ground level in damp, muddy conditions so is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Build a Bird Box

Friday 17^th February 2017

10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3 pm

Rufford Abbey Country Park

£5 per box (materials supplied)

St Valentine’s Day marks the start of National Nest Box Week and this is the time our feathered friends begin to find a mate and settle down to raise their young. So join the Ranger Team at Rufford and build them a new home.

Due to overwhelming popularity this event is a pre-book event. Please contact us on 01623 821335

Car Park Charges Apply

Friction Fire lighting

Sunday 5^th March 2017

9:30am– 3:30pm

Rufford Abbey Country, Meet outside Tourist Information. 

£20.00 per person

Make fire like a caveman. Join one of our rangers and learn how to use a bow drill to make fire like our ancestors. If you master that and fancy some good blisters for your efforts we will also cover hand drill techniques.

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338

Course is quite strenuous and involves working at ground level in damp, muddy conditions so is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Introduction to Spoon Carving

Saturday 18^th March 2017

9:30am– 3.:30pm

Rufford Country Park, Meet outside Tourist Information. 

£30.00 per person

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338

An adult only workshop intended for beginners. Gain an understanding of the process of spoon carving using different types of wood and tools, and take home with your own unique creation.

Tea, Coffee and tools provided. You will need to bring your lunch, cold refreshments and wear suitable clothing and stout footwear.

Rufford History Walk

Sunday 19^th March 2017

2:00pm (last approximately a 1¼)

Rufford Country Park, Meet outside Tourist information.

Free

Join one of our rangers on a whistle stop tour as they condense 870 years of history into a short walk around the abbey ruins and surrounding scheduled ancient monument.

 This walk involves steps ad uneven surfaces so is not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or people with mobility issues.

Car Park Charges Apply

Bestwood Country Park Events Oct-March

Trees of Bestwood

Saturday 29^th October 2016

10:30am-12 noon

Bestwood Country Park, Meet at the Dynamo House.

Free 

Discover species lost and found within the bounds of the country park. Marvel at the cathedral of trees over head as one of our rangers takes you on a walk off the beaten track.

Please wear suitable footwear as the walk will go directly through areas of the park only accessible via desire lines which are often muddy and uneven.

This walk involves steep gradients and is not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or people with mobility issues.

Bestwood in Winter

Sunday 4^th December 2016

10:30am-12 noon

Bestwood Country Park, Meet at the Dynamo House.

Free 

Join one of rangers on a guided winter walk around some of the less familiar parts of Bestwood Country Park reflecting a diverse ranger of habitats and species that call the park there home.

Please wear suitable footwear as the walk will go directly through areas of the park only accessible via desire lines which are often muddy and uneven.

This walk involves steep gradients and is not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or people with mobility issues.

Winter tree ID walk

Sunday 8^th January 2017

10:30am-12 noon

Bestwood Country Park, Meet at the Dynamo House.

Free 

Join our rangers on a guided winter walk through the woodland and learn how to identify trees in their naked winter state. Discover valuable tips on how to identify trees from their bark to buds and enjoy the silhouettes cast by nature’s giants.

Please wear suitable footwear as the walk will go directly through areas of the park only accessible via desire lines which are often muddy and uneven.

This walk involves steep gradients and is not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or people with mobility issues.

Sweet pea wigwam course

Saturday 11^th February 2017

12:00pm – 3:30pm

Bestwood Country Park, Meet at the Dynamo House

£20.00 per person,

Limited places!   Pre-booking and payment in advance at Rufford Tourist Information Office. 01623 821338.

Make a traditional hazel and willow framed plant support in time for your summer flowers to amble up. At the end of the session you will have a lovely handmade garden structure to take home with you.