Join us this October for our popular scarecrow festival, where you'll discover a collection of 'Rufford Rocks: pop stars and music legends' here in the grounds.
2026 Scarecrow Festival – we’d like to invite you to get involved!
The festival will run from Fri 23 Oct to Sun 8 Nov (please note we are closed on Wed & Thu).
If you would like to create your very own scarecrow for display here in the grounds, all details can be found below.
How can I get involved?
The theme for 2026 is ‘Rufford Rocks: pop stars and music legends', giving you a chance to bring some iconic singers, musicians and bands to life in scarecrow form!
From The Spice Girls and BTS to Ozzy Osbourne and Taylor Swift - choose your favourite music icon and start getting creative!
You may choose to work on your own or get a team together. Once you've decided what your scarecrow will be, please confirm your entry by emailing ruffordoldhall@nationaltrust.org.uk.
There are limited places, so please sign up early.
The scarecrows need to be completed and delivered to Rufford Old Hall by Mon 19 Oct.
The scarecrows will be taken down on 9 and 10 Nov. If you want to keep your scarecrow, they can be collected no later than 15 Nov. Any items left onsite will be disposed of.
What can we provide?
We can provide stakes (free of charge) for propping up your scarecrow. Stakes are limited, so please let us know if you require these, and we can let you know the dimensions and a date to collect from Rufford Old Hall prior to assembling your scarecrow.
If you have not requested stakes for your scarecrow, unfortunately there will not be any available during set-up.
Scarecrows at Rufford Old Hall
Here's a look back at some of the fantastic scarecrows that have been created for Rufford's Scarecrow Festival over the last few years.
There’s so much for families to do – you can borrow a balance bike, explore the surrounding gardens and woodland, discover the dedicated area for nature play and set your imagination free inside the house.
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.
Discover weapons and suits of armour, the Philip Ashcroft collection of 1930s Lancashire life, a 500-year-old screen, botanical watercolours from the 1800s and much more at Rufford Old Hall.
Discover what Liverpool and Lancashire have to offer, from Tudor halls to the childhood homes of the Beatles, plus parks, gardens, moorland and coasts.
