The present remains of the abbey, all at basement level, are of 4 buildings: a cellar range of 8 bays, running N and S; a kitchen building with an outside wall to the S which probably terminated the abbey in its last days; a vaulted cellar and a portion of a Med wall. It is suggested that this latter wall is part of the W wall of the church. All other buildings covered by E lawn. (2)
Built in red sandstone, presumably of Mansfield area origin, repair work has been constant - particularly because of subsidence due to coal mining. Two stories survive and in the ground floor of the southern part of the range, designated as the lay brothers frater, is a superb rib vaulted ceiling. (6)
See M8589 for P Med house, L5517 & L5518 for nearby excavations.

The domestic range and kitchen block were both believed to have been built in the 17th Century. 1610 7th Earl credited with building the south and north gable wings and 16th Century windows of the hall situated in the centre. 1679 North range of house built by G.Savile - There is doubt as to whether he also built the kitchen block and the east range or whether he remodelled the front of these buildings. Purchesed by Notts County Council in 1950, North and East wings demolished in 1956.

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

Plans, Parish file

<1> Knowles D and Hadcock N, 1953, Medieval Religious Houses, pp 114,125 (Published document). SNT869.

<2> Peverel Archaeology Group, 1953, Ann Rept 5, pp 30-32 (Published document). SNT1123.

<3> DOE, 1960, AM7 (Unpublished document). SNT60.

<4> Society for Med Arch, 1965, Med Arch, pp 161-3 (Published document). SNT238.

<5> Seaman BH, 1974, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1252.

<6> Samuels JR, 1985, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT1230.

<7> English Heritage, Photographic Survey of the Kitchen and Domestic Wing at Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire. (Unpublished document). SNT4893.

<8> P. Masters, 2006, Gradiometer Survey: Abbey and Long Meadows, Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire (Unpublished document). SNT5178.

<9> David Bunn, 2006, Fluxgate Gradiometer Survey: Rufford Park, Nottinghamshire (Unpublished document). SNT4896.

<10> P. Masters and D. Bunn, 2006, Resistivity Survey: Abbey Lawn, Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire (Unpublished document). SNT5180.