About

Moors Valley covers 750 acres in the Valley of the Moors River. At the heart of the park is the Visitor Centre, an 18th century timber barn, which houses Seasons Restaurant and Coffee Barn, The Country Shop, exhibition area and hosts music evenings throughout the year.

Just a few minutes walk from the Visitor Centre is the Adventure Play Area for older children and a special Castle and Sand Area for toddlers. From the play areas we cross the picnic area to the picturesque Moors Lake alongside which runs the narrow-gauge steam railway that will take you on a mile long journey through the park.

An 18-hole golf course, meadows, small woodlands and the Crane Lake complete the Park area.

Heading out into the Forest there is the Play Trail with its 8 wooden play structures including the ‘Giant Ants’ Nest’, ‘Snakes and Ladders’ and the ‘Spiders Web’. There is also the opportunity to walk on the Tree Top Trail – a 200 metre wooden walkway through the tops of the trees. For the more adventurous there is the Go Ape! high wire adventure course.

Throughout Moors Valley there are miles of footpaths to enjoy including waymarked walks and cycle trails – cycle hire is available.

Dscriptions
The footpaths around the Moors and Crane lakes, the play trail and in the vicinity of the Visitor Centre are tarmac or compacted gravel and so are fairly good for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

A wheelchair is available to borrow from the Visitor Centre. Trandems - basically a bike with a wheelchair on the front - are available to hire from the cycle hire centre. A battery powered scooter, donated by the Wimborne and Ferndown Lions club is also available to borrow. All should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment, please telephone 01425 470721.

The restaurant, country shop and golf centre are accessible to wheelchairs and wheelchair accessible picnic tables can be found in the car park and main picnic area.

A platform to enable people in wheelchairs to fish is located on the Moors Lake. A Trail Orienteering course allows wheelchair users or people with mobility problems to take part in the this sport.

Disabled toilets can be found at the Visitor Centre, Kingsmere Station and Golf Centre.

Dogs
Dogs are welcome to visit Moors Valley but must be under close control at all times and in many areas must be kept on leads. Please come along prepared to clear up after your dog – bins are located in the Forest area only.

BBQs
The Forestry Commission have a gas barbeque in the forest picnic area which is available to hire for £75.00.

Opening Times
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is open everyday of the year except Christmas Day, from 8.00am to dusk (8.00pm latest)

The Visitor Centre, including the Rangers Office, Seasons Restaurant and Cycle Hire Centre, are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day* (5pm in summer).

The Country Shop is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm (5pm in summer) each day.

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 on weekends throughout the year. 10.45am to 4.30pm (5pm in Summer).

The Golf Course is open from 8.00am to dusk, weather permitting.

Charges
There are no admission charges, so if you walk or cycle to Moors Valley it’s free, however parking charges do apply. These vary depending on the time of year; the maximum charge for 2006 is £7.00 per car per day.