Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Visitor information

How to find us

Sat Nav Postcode:

BH24 2ET

Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood

By Car

Situated 10 miles north of Bournemouth, signposted from the Ashley Heath roundabout at the junction of the A31 and A338, between Ringwood and St Leonards.

By Public Transport

From Ferndown - number 38 bus, stops at Lions Lane at the Castleman Way entrance which is a mile away from the Visitor Centre.

OS Grid Ref

SU107 057

Get directions

50.842532914774, -1.8472587344154

Parking and prices

Parking Charges

The money you pay for parking helps us to look after the forests. Read how

Standard (weekends, school holidays and bank holidays)
Up to 1 hour	£4.70
Up to 2 hours	£9.20
Up to 4 hours	£12.50
Up to 5 hours	£13.50
All day	£16.00

Off peak
Up to 1 hour	£3.20
Up to 2 hours	£6.20
Up to 4 hours	£8.80
Up to 5 hours	£11.00
All day	£12.00

Super Off Peak (weekdays Nov – Feb outside of school holidays)
All day	£2.00

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Please note Minibuses and Coaches need to book in advance.

Additional information

Number of accessible parking spaces: 13

Card payments accepted

Coaches/Minibuses welcomed

Facilities and access

Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire

We have wheelchairs available to borrow. They can be booked in advance to avoid disappointment using our online booking system or by phoning the Rangers on 01425 470721.
See accessibility information link below for full details.

We also have two ‘Tramper’ mobility scooters to hire as part of the South West Countryside Mobility Scheme. Please see the Countryside Mobility Scheme page for details of how to join and membership fees.

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

View Accessibility Guide

Accessible toilet
Assistant dogs welcome
Baby changing facilities
Cafe
Dogs allowed
Picnic area
Shop
Toilets
Tramper/Mobility Scooter hire
Visitor Centre

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

A family friendly country park and forest

Moors Valley is a joint venture between Dorset Council and Forestry England and the work we do here goes beyond the remit of most visitor attractions, including countryside management and forestry. With over 800 acres, it's a large site to look after and we always aim to balance the needs of our visitors with those of the environment, whist still providing our visitors with a great day out.

For full information on planning your visit and all the events and activities on offer, please visit the Moors Valley site.

Moors Valley

At a glance

Cafe is open 9am - 3.30pm

24/05/2022 13:57

Steam railway open at weekends

24/05/2022 13:57

Visitor centre and shop

24/05/2022 13:58

Things to do

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Real Christmas Trees at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Visit us for a wonderful experience and the highest quality, British Christmas trees.

Choose your tree in our spacious open-air Christmas Tree Shop and browse hundreds of spruces or firs.

Open from 25 November, 10am - 4pm, 7 days a week. Park for free when you buy a tree!

Our trees

Nordman Fir, 5 - 8ft Norway Spruce, 5 - 8ft

Make a day of it and get in the festive mood whilst you are here. Join in with our festive activities; enjoy a hot drink or food from our cafe with delicious festive meal options available, try our Zog trail with the children, take a peaceful wintery walk around the forest, or try a Go Ape Adventure - swing from the treetops or bounce around on Nets Adventure.

Contactless payments are encouraged along with bringing your own blanket or sheet for a more sustainable Christmas purchase.

What makes our Christmas trees so special?

Quality: Our high-quality trees are British-grown so you can be proud of your superior quality tree Experience: Choose your tree from a beautiful forest location to kick off your Christmas celebrations Expertise: With 100 years of forestry experience, our experts can help you choose the right tree for your home Support your forests: The money raised from your Christmas tree helps us maintain the forests for wildlife, for you, and for future generations

Moors Valley is open every day during the festive season, except Christmas Day. Opening times for some attractions will vary - please check our Christmas opening times for details.

The Zog Trail is getting a festive twist!

From 24 November, pick up your Zog Christmas clue leaflet for just £1.50, or free if buying a Zog Trail pack, and go in search of festive clues along the Zog Trail. Crack Zog’s Christmas code and get a special Zog Christmas decoration.

There is lots of festive fun for all the family at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest! For more information on all our exciting Christmas events and activities, please visit the Moors Valley Country Park website.

Find out more

Children's play at Moors Valley

Discover some amazing areas to explore, have fun in the woods on our play trail with its unique pieces of wooden play. You can climb inside a giant ‘Hawk’, wriggle through giant snakes in the ‘Snake Pit’, attempt the ‘Crocodile Crossing’ and balance on the fallen forest of ‘Timber’.

This is the most popular route in the forest where children love to discover the play structures in the woods whilst stopping to create their own dens along the way. Visitors return again and again to find their favourite ones to play on.

Find out more

Cycling trails at Moors Valley

From those just starting to balance on two wheels to those who want a singletrack experience, there's something for everyone at Moors Valley.

There are many miles of paths and tracks through Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. You are welcome to cycle on any of the gravel or tarmac paths however the best paths for cycling are waymarked.

To find out more about all of our sign posted routes please take a look at our main website (in partnership with East Dorest District Council).

Find out more

Go Ape Forest Segway at Moors Valley

Go Ape locations in our forests are now open. Pre-booking is essential. More information is available on the Go Ape website.

Go Ape Forest Segways are the best fun you can have off-road, on two eco-friendly wheels, without having to pedal!

You will receive training and get the chance to practice before you head out, with a safari guide, on our trails. You will use a mixture of twisty trails and wide open, straight tracks on this circular, hour long adventure.

See further information and book direct with Go Ape.

Find out more

Nearby forests

Bolderwood

We are delighted that Bolderwood features as part of the Ancient Canopy dedicated to Her Majesty in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Ancient Woodlands are cherished reminders of our living heritage, often referred to as “nature’s Crown Jewels”. We are proud to be part of this unique project, which aims to raise awareness of these treasured habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations.

Find out more

Sun shining through the trees in a pine forest

Wilverley

If you are looking for an ideal spot for picnicing, a walk in the woods or amazing views then Wilverley has it all.

From the car park there's easy access into the adjoining woodland with a waymarked trail. The extensive grassy lawn offers valuable grazing for ponies and beyond the Forest lawn the heathland is home to many important bird species.

Find out more

Boy counting tree rings on a very old tree that's been felled.

Blackwater

Blackwater arboretum is an idyllic setting with a stunning variety of beautiful trees from around the world. Inspired by the tree collection at this special place, a sensory sculpture trail complements the setting.

Explore Blackwater on two wheels by following the New Forest’s great network of cycle trails.

Find out more

Three New Forest ponies standing on open grassland.

Whitefield Moor

Enjoy the stunning views of the heathland and trees beyond. This is an ideal spot for all the family with good waymarked walking trail that pass by the nearby Ober Water stream.

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