Moors Valley Park is owned by East Dorset District Council and The Forestry Commission and managed by East Dorset Countryside Management Service and The Forestry Commission.

Visit the  Moors Valley website (opens in a new window) for more information.

Opening times

• Open everyday of the year except Christmas Day, from 8.00am to dusk (8.00pm at the latest)
• The Visitor Centre and restaurant is open 9.00am to 4.30pm each day (later in the summer)
• The Cycle Hire Centre is open  9.30am to 3.00pm each day (later in the summer).

Entrance fee and parking

There are no entrance charges to Moors Valley Country Park but parking charges do apply. It has a very large car park but it does get busy during school holidays. Please visit the Moors Valley Country Park and Forest website for a list of current charges.

How to get there

Follow signposts from the Ashley Heath roundabout at the junction of the A31 and A338, local residents can walk through Potterne Wood by access points at Potterne Playing Fields and Hazelwood Drive. Please phone the Rangers if you would like to be sent a map.

• Grid reference: SU 104 058
• Nearest town: Verwood
• Size (Ha): 400 Ha
• Nearest bus stop: Horton Road, Wilts and Dorset bus route
• Nearest train station: Bournemouth (10 miles)

Accessibility

There are tarmac footpaths around lakes and many routes in forest are accessible for mobility scooters. For the less able a wheelchair or electric scooter are available to hire.

Facilities

• For the more adventurous there is the 'Go Ape!' high wire adventure course set in the trees, suitable for those 10 years or over.

• There is a narrow-gauge steam railway and an 18-hole golf course with a fully equipped shop.

• At the heart of Moors Valley Country Park is the visitor centre; an 18th century timber barn, which houses Seasons Restaurant and Coffee Barn, The Country Shop and exhibition area.

• Moors Valley Golf Course offers one of the finest challenges of golf in Dorset.

• The Moors River and the Ebblake Bog area are both designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest

• There are numerous benches and picnic benches along walk routes, picnic areas, dog bins in forest area only, no rubbish bins on site.

• The Ranger service runs an extensive environmental education programme with over 300 events each year - from holiday activities for children to walks and cycle rides for adults. Please phone if you would like to be sent an events guide.

Wildlife

At Moors Valley you will find Deciduous woodland, lakes and rivers, grassland and large area of coniferous forest with patches of heath.

There are a variety of water birds on lake including Kingfishers, Herons, and Cormorants. Moors Valley Country Park is also one of the best sites for Dragonflies and Damselflies with over 26 species recorded, and over 100 different birds have been sighted at the park.

Management plan

Moors Valley Country Park is a joint venture between East Dorset District Council and The Forestry Commission.

The extensive range of habitats found at Moors Valley is managed for both people and wildlife.

Contact

If you would like to find out more about future management plans for Moors Valley, please contact the The Rangers at Moors Valley Country Park on 01425 470721, or e-mail moorsvalley@eastdorset.gov.uk