Rufford Abbey and Country Park
Founded in 1147 by Gilbert of Ghent, the Cistercian Abbey of Rufford later became home to the Lords Savile who developed the building as a country residence. Although many of the buildings were destroyed, those remaining have undergone restoration, and now house an internationally-respected ceramics and craft centre, a restaurant and café. A display explaining monastic life can also be found in the dark, and reputedly haunted, abbey undercroft. The sculpture garden continues the artistic theme into the wooded country park and there are formal gardens as well as a 25-acre lake.

Thoresby Estate
Thoresby Estate was originally the seat of the Earls and Dukes of Kingston. The imposing Grade I–listed Hall we see today was not the first mansion to be present on the estate, but was designed by the revered Victorian architect Anthony Salvin to be a romantic palace in an ‘Elizabethan style’ for the 3rd Earl Manvers. In recent times the Hall became empty and was put on the English Heritage ‘at risk’ register. However, Warner Holidays acquired the Hall and renovated it and it is now a luxury hotel. Non-residents can take a stroll through the picturesque parkland, visit the courtyard shops and gallery (read more about this) [internal link] and pop into the Bay Tree Café for a bite to eat. Parts of The Hall, such as the vivid and ornate ‘Blue Room’ are accessible to the public, as they have been converted into dining areas.