• Language
    Language

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

Rufford

Type:Village

Rufford, West Lancashire

Add Rufford to your Itinerary

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.

Book Tickets

Directions

TripAdvisor

Follow Us

What's Nearby

What's Nearby

What's Nearby

  1. National Trust Rufford Old Hall

    Follow in Shakespeare's footsteps and visit one of Lancashire's finest Tudor buildings…

    0.22 miles away
  2. Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve

    Nestled amongst the peaceful agricultural landscape of Rufford, Mere Sands Wood is a true…

    0.36 miles away
  3. Windmill Animal Farm

    Windmill Animal Farm is a great family day out, offering visitors the chance to…

    2.1 miles away
  1. Crook Hall Farm

    Three well stocked fishing ponds which are ideally suited to the pleasure angler using…

    2.21 miles away
  2. WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

    Enjoy splashing, dipping, playing, paddling and getting up-close-and-personal with some…

    2.26 miles away
  3. Cedar Farm

    Cedar Farm is a unique and exciting creative community hub. It is now home to 33…

    2.39 miles away
  4. Carnes Fine Art

    Carnes Fine Art are proud to be an independent art gallery, specialising in original…

    2.41 miles away
  5. Lancashire Canal Cruises

    Lancashire Canal Cruises take in the wonderful rural settings of the area. …

    2.77 miles away
  6. Bretherton Gardens

    Three contrasting gardens spaced across one-and-a-half miles offer the opportunity to see…

    3.06 miles away
  7. Platts Lane Lake

    Platts Lane Lake, situated off Platts Lane, Burscough is one of West Lancashire's hidden…

    3.3 miles away
  8. The Mill House Gallery

    This stunning gallery is situated on the banks of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in the rural…

    3.74 miles away
  9. Heskin Hall

    One of the best examples of Tudor architecture left in northern England, Heskin Hall is…

    4.14 miles away
  10. Fairy Glen

    Nestled on the side of Parbold Hill, is a beautiful woodland walk called 'Fairy Glen'…

    4.47 miles away
  11. West Lancashire Light Railway

    Lancashire's only narrow gauge railway, A short 2ft operational, narrow gauge steam…

    4.63 miles away
  12. Hurlston Hall Golf Course

    Hurlston Hall is a superb 18 hole golf course with a par of 72. Set in 135 acres of…

    4.82 miles away
  13. Ormskirk Market

    Ormskirk Market is renowned for being one of the UK’s oldest and most traditional outdoor…

    5.5 miles away
Previous Next

Sign up for e-newsletter

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss