Rufford Country Park unveils ‘The Abbey Kitchen Tea House & Garden’—blending 12th-century vaulted stone architecture with a striking botanical floral installation and luxury table-service dining.
OLLERTON, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NG22 9DF — One of Nottinghamshire’s most beloved historic country estates is breathing new life into its heritage this month. Rufford Abbey Country Park has officially unveiled The Abbey Kitchen Tea House & Garden, a newly restored, boutique dining destination set inside the Abbey’s historic Grade I listed vaulted stone rooms, opening its doors to the public on Saturday, 25th July.
Operating exclusively on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), the new experience transforms the ancient Abbey kitchen into an “accessible luxury” tea room. Guests will dine beneath a dramatic, bespoke botanical garden surrounded by warm pendant lighting, statement rustic birdcage stands, and polished table service—bringing a boutique, country-estate dining aesthetic to the heart of Nottinghamshire.
Designed to celebrate regional heritage, the spotlight of the launch is The Traditional Victorian Afternoon Tea (£19.95 per person). Presented in striking three-tier rustic birdcage stands that nod to the Abbey’s history, the menu features freshly prepared finger sandwiches with classic fillings, warm bakery scones served with thick clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and an assortment of handmade artisan miniature cakes and sweet pastries. The sitting is accompanied by unlimited specialty loose-leaf teas or barista coffee, with options to upgrade with chilled Prosecco or local Nottinghamshire craft ales.
To preserve the intimate, tranquil atmosphere of the Grade I structure, seated Afternoon Tea sittings are strictly capped at just 40 covers per sitting across two daily service times (12:00 PM and 2:00 PM), with advance booking via the park’s portal strongly recommended.
https://ruffordabbey.co.uk/plan-your-day/abbey-kitchen/
However, casual weekend park walkers haven’t been forgotten. Alongside the seated dining room, The Abbey Kitchen features a dedicated front-of-house walk-in counter, allowing spontaneous weekend strolls around the lake to end with takeaway barista coffees, fresh bakery slices, or a classic “Cream Tea for Two” enjoyed in the Abbey grounds.
Gavin Lewis, General Manager at Rufford Abbey Country Park, said:
“Rufford Abbey has over 800 years of incredible history, and our goal was to create a dining experience that truly does justice to this stunning Grade I architectural space. We wanted to strip away the stuffiness often associated with city-centre afternoon teas and replace it with genuine heritage charm, exceptional locally baked produce, and accessible pricing. Whether you are celebrating a special family milestone with our signature birdcage Afternoon Tea sitting, or simply popping in for a warm scone and a coffee after a walk with the dog, The Abbey Kitchen is about making luxury feel welcoming and local.”
Following its grand opening on Saturday, 25th July, The Abbey Kitchen Tea House & Garden will operate strictly on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Due to high initial demand, opening weekend table sittings for the 25th and 26th July are already filling rapidly. To check live availability, view the full menu, or reserve a table for an upcoming weekend, visit the official Rufford Abbey booking portal https://ruffordabbey.co.uk/plan-your-day/abbey-kitchen/ or follow the restoration journey on social media at @ruffordabbeycp.
Posted on 23 July 2026
