Moors Valley Country Park
The 82 acre Kings Farm was purchased by East Dorset District Council in 1984. Work began to develop a 9-hole pay and play golf course, the narrow-gauge steam railway, play area, lake and Visitor Centre. This first phase of Moors Valley was officially opened in 1988.
The park was much more popular than had originally been envisaged and was bursting at the seams with the half a million visitors by 1990. An additional 170 acres were purchased to allow for expansion of the golf course and a second lake to be built, the Visitor Centre was extended to make way for a Country Shop and new toilets. At the same time the Tree Top Trail and Play Trail were constructed in the forest. Over the following ten years the parks popularity grew still further with approximately 750,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most popular parks in the south of England.
The Forestry Commission and East Dorset District Council are continually looking for ways to improve Moors Valley to ensure it stays as one of the best countryside recreation facilities in the country. In recent years a new toddlers play area, cycle hire centre, high ropes course and orienteering course have been added and there is a rolling programme to improve and replace structures on the play trail.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Open everyday of the year except Christmas Day,
From 8.00am to dusk (8.00pm at the latest).
The Visitor Centre, including Seasons Restaurant is open from 9.00am to 4.30pm each day* (later in the summer.
The Cycle Hire Centre, is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm each day (later in the summer).
*The Visitor Centre may close for up to 5 midweek days in January for cleaning and maintenance.
The Country Shop is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm (5.00pm in summer) each day.
The Go Ape High Wire Forest Adventure is open during the Dorset schools February half term, and then everyday from March to October, weekends only during November, and December and is closed in January. For further information lease see the website or call 0845 643 9215.
The Moors Valley Railway is open everyday from Spring Bank Holiday week at the end of May through to early September, during Dorset School Holidays and at weekends throughout the year from 10.45am to 4.30pm (5.00pm in summer).
Moors Valley Golf Course is open from 8.00am to dusk, everyday except Christmas day, weather permitting.
ADMISSION CHARGE: FREE
Car Parking
There are no admission charges however parking charges apply.
Today's Car Park Charges
Less than 1 hour: £2.00
1 to 2 hours: £4.50
2 to 4 hours: £7.00
Over 4 hour: £8.00
Charges vary throughout the year.
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Horton Road
Ashley Heath
Nr Ringwood
Dorset
BH24 2ET