Rufford Abbey

The ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey sprawl across parkland just outside Newark, and they're genuinely worth an hour of your time if you're staying at any of the Sherwood Forest holiday parks nearby. What remains are the foundations and partial walls of the monastery church, cloisters, and various domestic buildings - enough to give you a proper sense of the layout without requiring an imagination the size of an actual abbey to make sense of it all.

The site centres on the abbey's gatehouse, which English Heritage has converted into a small visitor facility. From there you can wander the grounds at your own pace, spotting the reconstructed kitchen garden and the remains of the refectory. It's genuinely atmospheric on a quiet afternoon, though crowds have a habit of appearing during school holidays.

Families will find enough to hold kids' attention for a walk around the perimeter, particularly if they're into spotting carved stones or making up stories about medieval monks. History enthusiasts will appreciate the information boards, which are clear without being patronising. If you're based at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest or Sherwood Pines Camping - both within walking distance - it's a logical half-day addition to exploring the actual Sherwood Forest trails. Free admission through English Heritage membership or a modest entrance fee otherwise. Allow 60 to 90 minutes depending on how thoroughly you read the signage.