Rufford

Rufford is a fertile agricultural parish which extends west from the River Douglas to include Rufford village on the A59 Ormskirk to Preston road, and further west, the scattering hamlets of Holmeswood and Mere Side.

It is an attractive village of white-walled houses and is notable because of its church and its old and new halls. The church which was built in 1869 is a very fine building in the Gothic Revival manner with an attractive spire.
The National Trust’s Rufford Old Hall welcomes visitors all year round – it was home to the Hesketh family for 500 years and its Great Hall was once the stage for a young William Shakespeare before he was famous. Stroll through the glorious Victorian and Edwardian gardens and remember you're only a few feet above sea level, making Rufford one of the lowest lying National Trust gardens in England.
The Leeds Liverpool canal runs through the heart of Rufford and leads to St Mary's Marina and Fetler’s Wharf, both provide mooring services for visiting narrowboats and café facilities where you can enjoy peace and quiet on the best of the area’s wonderful waterways.

You can also grab a bite to eat at nearby Homestead Farm which offers a varied menu serving up lots of home cooked local specialities and afternoon teas. The licensed restaurant and tea room has also been awarded Taste Lancashire’s Highest Quality Assured.

If you’re looking for family friendly activities you can keep the kids happy with a visit to Mere Sands Wood nature reserve in the neighbouring village of Holmeswood boasting a wildlife haven of woodland, lakes and meadows, all waiting to be explored.

Just a short distance away from Rufford is the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust's reserve at Martin Mere, a marshland refuge and nature reserve of international importance, which offers year-round family friendly attractions.