Skip to content

Eating, drinking and second-hand bookshop at Rufford Old Hall

Girl sipping a large cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows on the top
Enjoy a warming cup of hot chocolate at Rufford Old Hall | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Enjoy a tasty treat or something more savoury from Rufford's Victorian tea-room, or escape into the Coach House to discover our second-hand bookshop.

The Victorian tea-room

Tuck into a range of homemade foods, from sandwiches, soups, curries and stews, to afternoon tea, cakes, scones and tray bakes. You can also choose from a wide selection of hot and cold drinks too. Enjoy your food inside the cosy Victorian tea-room, filled with historic objects from when this space was the kitchen, or you can take a seat outside in the picturesque Courtyard.

Ice cream

We serve Snugburys ice cream in a range of flavours, from classic vanilla to honeycomb. A perfect pre- or post-walk treat.

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free.

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.

Picnics

You're welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the Garden. There are plenty of perfect picnic spots to choose from including picnic tables in the Courtyard, Beech Walk Paddock and Orchard Paddock. Please tidy up after yourself and use the bins in the courtyard.

Rufford's Reads

Step inside the Coach House to discover our second-hand bookshop, Rufford's Reads. It's filled with pre-loved books of every genre for you to choose from. Every penny supports our conservation work to look after Rufford Old Hall, so every page makes a difference.

If you would like to donate your books, you're welcome to pop in and drop them off. Please only bring books in good condition.

Visitors walking in woodland at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
Article
Article

Explore the gardens at Rufford Old Hall 

The gardens at Rufford Old Hall have lots of variety, from giant squirrel topiary and beehives, to picnic spots in the orchard and peaceful walks by the canal. The Virginia Creeper transforms the entire central Courtyard in early October with its fiery red and orange colour.

Close-up of three visitors looking upwards in the Great Hall at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire.
Article
Article

Group visits to Rufford Old Hall 

Discover everything you need to know about booking a group visit to this Tudor residence steeped in history and home to splendid gardens.