The Abbey Kitchen Tea House & Garden

About

Step inside the beautifully restored, Grade I listed Abbey Kitchen for an afternoon of accessible luxury. Nestled within the 12th-century vaulted stone rooms of the historic Jacobean wing at Rufford Abbey Country Park, our newly unveiled boutique dining destination brings a vibrant country-estate aesthetic to the heart of Nottinghamshire.

Opening its doors exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, The Abbey Kitchen is designed to celebrate regional heritage, offering a relaxed and welcoming alternative to traditional city-centre dining. Guests are invited to dine in a breathtaking, atmospheric space beautifully decorated with stunning floral displays, surrounded by historic architecture and polished table service.

Our Signature Afternoon Tea

Our menus are freshly prepared to order using premium, locally sourced ingredients. Presented on striking, three-tier rustic birdcage stands—a playful nod to the Abbey’s rich 800-year history—our afternoon tea includes a curated selection of delicate finger sandwiches, warm homemade scones served with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and an exquisite assortment of artisan miniature cakes and sweet pastries.

• Classic Afternoon Tea (£19.95): Accompanied by unlimited speciality teas, coffee or juice.

• Celebration Afternoon Tea (£24.95): Upgrade your experience with a chilled glass of Prosecco—perfect for marking family milestones or special occasions.

• Children’s Afternoon Tea (£14.95): A child-friendly selection of sandwiches, pastries, and cakes served with juice.

Dietary Requirements

We passionately believe everyone should experience the joy of afternoon tea. Our kitchen happily caters to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Please simply state any dietary requirements or allergies in the notes section when making your reservation.

Casual Walk-Ins

While our main dining room requires advance booking, casual weekend park walkers haven't been forgotten! Our dedicated front-of-house walk-in counter means spontaneous visitors strolling around Rufford can still enjoy coffees, fresh bakery slices, or a classic Cream Tea.

Essential Booking Information

To preserve the intimate, tranquil atmosphere of our Grade I setting, table sittings in the main dining room are strictly capped, and seating sessions are at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. The restaurant operates on a 100% pre-booked basis; we do not accept walk-in table dining in the historic room.

Parking charges at the country park are included with your afternoon tea booking (simply enter your vehicle registration when checking in at the restaurant). Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, a birthday, or simply elevating your weekend stroll, we look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable taste of Nottinghamshire heritage.