If you are a visitor to this area you may be surprised by the number of vast country estates that are in close proximity to each other. In the late 17th century, parts of the Royal Hunting Forest of Sherwood were carved up and the land transferred to powerful aristocrats – most of whom were dukes – who built grand country houses and developed stunning landscaped gardens. For this reason, the area between Ollerton and Worksop is known as The Dukeries.

All the families that owned these estates were inter-related and the story of their lives is fascinating to learn about – from the reclusive 5th Duke of Portland who built tunnels under Welbeck Abbey, to the scandal of the 18th century: the trial for bigamy of Elizabeth Chudleigh, who married both the 2nd Duke of Kingston (Thoresby Hall) and Lord Hervey, who became the third Earl of Bristol.

Worksop Manor, still privately owned, remains totally inaccessible to the public, except for the footpaths and bridleways. Welbeck Abbey is also private, but visitors are able to access parts of the estate, such the buildings housing the Harley Gallery, farm shop, café and garden centre. After it went into decline, Thoresby Hall was renovated to its former glory and is now owned by Warner Holidays. The building’s cafés, restaurants and spa complex are accessible to non-residents. The rest of Thoresby estate is still owned by the Pierrepont family and hosts an art gallery, shops and café. Clumber Park and Rufford Abbey, owned by the National Trust and Nottinghamshire County Council respectively, are both open to the public and are favourite spots for family days out.

RUFFORD ABBEY 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 award-winning wooded parkland and there are formal gardens as well as a 25-acre lake. A recent development is the children’s play landscape in the style of an ancient village, which is a real draw for families. For people with poor mobility, there is the option to hire wheelchairs at a cost of £2 per hour.

	Location: Rufford Abbey is signposted from the A614.
	Admission: There is a small charge for parking of £3 per car (including blue badge holders) at weekends and Bank Holidays, plus daily throughout the school summer holiday. Season tickets can be bought for £20, or if you spend £15 in one or more of the shops/cafes, you will get your parking fee back.
	Contact:Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, Newark, NG22 9DF Tel: 01623 821338. Web: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/ruffordcp To discover more about the history of Rufford, visit: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/historyofrufford

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 Thoresby 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 and pop into the Bay Tree Café for a bite to eat. Parts of the building are accessible to the public as they have been converted into dining areas, such as the vivid and ornate Blue Room. Spa days can also be booked there.

	Location: signposted from the A614 at Ollerton Roundabout. Parking is free of charge
	Admission: free
	Contact: Thoresby Park, Nr Ollerton, NG22 9WH Thoresby Hall – Tel: 01623 821000. Web: www.thoresbyhall.co.uk Thoresby Gallery – Tel: 01623 822009. Web: www.thoresby.com

WELLBECK ABBEY AND ESTATE

Welbeck was originally the revered religious site of the Abbey of St James, founded by Thomas de Cuckney and occupied by the Premonstratensian order of monks. However, when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries the abbey passed to private hands, including the Dukes of Newcastle, the first of whom was the son of the formidable Bess of Hardwick. Welbeck eventually became the country residence of the Dukes of Portland. Two of the Dukes of Portland were famous for different reasons – one, the third Duke, was prime minister in 1793 and between 1807 and 1809. The other was the fifth Duke, who was so reclusive that he built a series of tunnels underneath the estate so that he could pass unseen from building to building. In more recent times, after the Second World War, the great house was leased to the Ministry of Defence as an army training college, but now part of the building is occupied by the grandson of the seventh Duke. The walled kitchen garden areas have been opened up to the public and include an art gallery, café, farm shop and garden centre.

	Location: the entrance to the part of the estate housing Harley Gallery, Welbeck Farm Shop and the Dukeries Garden Centre is signposted off the A60. Parking is free of charge
	Admission: free
	Contact: Welbeck, Worksop, S80 3LW Harley Gallery – Tel: 01909 501700. Web: www.harleygallery.co.uk Welbeck Farm Shop – Tel: 01909 478725. Web: www.thewelbeckfarmshop.co.uk Dukeries Garden Centre – Tel: 01909 476506. Web: www.dukeries.co.uk

CLUMBER PARK

One of the largest country parks in Europe, covering over 3800 acres, Clumber Park was once the seat of the Dukes of Newcastle-under- Lyme. The grand house, built in 1770, was demolished in 1938, though the stable block (now used as a café), newly renovated walled kitchen garden and dramatic gothic chapel remain. The National Trust now owns the estate and, through a careful management programme, ensures that the diverse landscape of heathland, woods and parkland is preserved for the public. Highlights include the vast lake and the beautiful Lime Tree Avenue – a sight not to be missed in Autumn. Families can hire bikes from the cycle centre, including special trailers for children, and there is a regular programme of events, including summer concerts.

	Location: Clumber Park is signposted from the A614. There is a small charge for parking (free to NT members). Some buses stop near Clumber Park, please telephone the enquiry line or visit the website for up-to-date details
	Admission: free, except for access to the kitchen garden
	Contact: The Estate Office, Clumber Park, Worksop, S80 3AZ Tel: 01909 544917. Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk