Avon Heath Country Park

Avon Heath Country Park is Dorset's largest country park, accessible to families and people with a wide range of abilities and interests.

The park is owned by Dorset County Council and managed by Dorset Countryside.

Opening times

Visitor centre open 11am - 4pm everyday (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day)
Park gates open 8am
The entrance gate closes at 6.30pm or dusk (whichever is sooner)
The exit gate closes at 7.30pm

Entrance charge

Entry to the park is free but there is a charge for parking.

Wildlife

The miles of tracks offer an opportunity to explore some of Dorset's internationally important heathland and its rare wildlife.

The park is dominated by lowland and wet heath, acid grassland and heather, which is broken only by clumps of birch and pine. Some of the rarer species to look out for are Sand Lizards and Smooth Snakes, Dartford Warblers and Silver-studded Blue. There has been an increase in Woodlark on the park over the last few years with eight breeding pairs recorded on the park in 2011.

Avon Heath News

There has been a great response to the new play equipment by the park's younger visitors. The zip wire and spider's web climbing frame have been well received! The sand pit was opened in September 2011 and has been really popular with toddlers. Artist Mark Vyvyan-Penney is tantalisingly close to finishing the spider and cricket climbing sculptures, while the rangers are beginning work on the new tree house. Funding for the project has been provided by Veolia Environment Trust and the Institute of Commercial Managers.

Mark Vyvyan-Penney's soap carving workshop in December was a great success, there is another one planned for Monday 13 February. The park is looking to run adult sculpture workshops with Mark in 2012, providing opportunities to carve wood, soap stone, natural materials and soap. If this is of interest to you, whether creating small pieces or large play sculpture/benches etc please contact Katy Scanlon/Carol Dawkins on 01425 478082 for more information.

Holiday Accommodation

In order to create extra income for the countryside service, rangers at Avon Heath have turned one of the park's properties from slightly tired ranger accommodation to a perfectly located holiday let. See the Sykes Cottages website (opens in a new window) . Since being registered with Sykes holidays in September 2011 the cottage has been booked constantly and bookings continue. There has been a lot to learn as it is after all quite a different venture for the park's rangers.

How to get there
Avon Heath Country Park is on the south coast. It is 25 miles north west of Southampton, 10 miles from Bournemouth, 2 miles west of Ringwood (A31) and comprises of North and South Park and Matchams View.
Park facilities
Avon Heath Country Park's facilities include a Heathland Discovery Centre, cafe, gift shop and barbecue hire.
Events at Avon Heath Country Park
Join in the fun by taking part in one of the numerous events at Avon Heath Country Park. Some of the events are extremely popular - so it's best to book well in advance. Payment for all booking events is required at the time of booking and can only be refunded if the event is cancelled by the park.
Education at Avon Heath Country Park
We specialise in running a full educational programme, designed around the National Curriculum, but adaptable on request. Activities include woodland maths, mini-beast safaris, pond dipping, mystery mud and pongy plants!
Friends of Avon Heath Country Park
Avon Heath Country Park is Dorset's largest country park and is home to internationally important heathland and its rare wildlife. Help support the work of the rangers in the park by becoming a Friend of Avon Heath.
Avon Heath Country Park Team
Find out the contact details for the countryside rangers and staff.
Children's Parties at Avon Heath
If you are looking for a children's birthday party with a difference why not join the rangers for an exciting outdoor experience. From den building to bug hunting, animal detectives to pond dipping, there's plenty of fun for any child's birthday at Avon Heath.
Avon Heath Country Park and Eastern Area Sites - Volunteers
Come and help us manage and conserve our sites across East Dorset.