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Moors
Valley Country Park |
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Description |
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Set in 700 acres,
Moors Valley is the third most visited country park in England and the home to a wide range of plants and animals
as well as recreational and play facilities. Every year over
750,000 visitors enjoy the cycleways, a tree-top trail, picnic
areas, lake and forest walks and play structures.
Alongside an extensive events programme further attractions
include:
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• High wire forest
adventure – Go Ape!
• Cycle hire
• Narrow gauge steam experience on Moors Valley Railway
• Recreational fishing lake
• Golf Course
• Play Areas
• Country Shop |
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Open |
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All year (except for Christmas day)
Daily, 8am - 5pm (later in summert) |
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Prices |
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No admission charge however parking charges do apply.
Your parking charge covers the use of the Play Trail, Play Areas, and Tree Top Trail and you are welcome to explore the Park and Forest without charge. If you walk or cycle to Moors Valley it's free!
For details of the charges for additional activities, please see the Moors Valley website |
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Contact |
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Accessibility |
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 Wheelchair:
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.
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 wheelchair and 2 battery powered scooters are available to borrow from the
Visitor Centre.
Accessible toilets can be found at the Visitor Centre, Kingsmere Station and
Golf Centre. |
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More pictures |
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Moors Valley
Railway is one of the longest, fully signalled narrow-gauge
steam railway in the south. There are 17 steam and 2 diesel locomotives
in use on the railway. The majority of the engines have been built
in the workshop at Moors Valley. |
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Tree Top Junior zig zag bridge |
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Forest Segway |
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Giant Nests |
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Health Walk |
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Directions |
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| Signposted at the
Ashley Heath roundabout on the A31 Streetmap |
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Refreshments |
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Seasons Restaurant
is open daily from 9am to 4.30pm (later in summer) for freshly
cooked breakfasts, light lunches, homemade cakes and speciality
coffees. Tel:01425 470537 or Email
Picnic tables are provided
by Moors Lake, Forest picnic area, Play
Trail and Nature Trail. |
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December 2013 - Moors Valley Railway and Play Trail top public vote
The Moors Valley Railway and Play Trail have been voted joint first in a poll to discover the public’s favourite activity at the third most visited country park in England.
Throughout the year visitors have been voting for the things they love most at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest near Ringwood. Their top 25 have now been announced marking the culmination of the Park’s 25 year celebrations.
Top of the list, Moors Valley Railway was the first attraction at the Park to be opened to the public and clearly remains a firm favourite more than 25 years on. It offers visitors the chance to enjoy a ride on an authentic steam train, travelling along the lakeside, through tunnels and over a bridge. Tieing with the railway, in joint first place, the mile-long Play Trail offers hours of outdoor family fun aschildren enjoy healthy activity and build their confidence scrabbling on its exciting wooden play structures. |
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Value for money also made it into the top five, with parking charges not deterring families looking for a great day out with no admission fees.
Countryside Interpretation Ranger Katie Davies said, “As we reach the end of our 25 year celebrations we are really pleased to know that people appreciate the family-friendly focus of the Park. It’s great to see a wide range of different experiences in the top 25, ranging from the ‘paying’ attractions like Go Ape and the Segways to more simple activities such as the lakeside walks and enjoying an ice cream.”
Looking to the future, 25 commemorative trees are to be planted around the Park’s newest play structure, the house of Baba Yaga. And the fun will continue in 2014 with lots more family-friendly activities, including the arrival of a very special visitor to Moors Valley Country Park in the New Year.
Please be aware that during the winter months Moors Valley Railway runs only at weekends and that other features may be closed for essential maintenance. The Visitor Centre and Tree Top Trail will be closed between 13th and 17th January 2014. |
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The full results of the Moors Valley Top 25 public vote:
1 Joint first: MV Railway & Play Trail
2 Tree Top Trail
3 Junior play area
4 Family cycle trails
5 Value for money
6 New Forest Ice Creams
7 The peace and quiet
8 Lakeside picnic area
9 Go Ape Tree Top Adventure
10 Walking trails
11 Infants play area
12 The friendly staff
13 Go Ape Tree Top Junior
14 Through the Forest singletrack
15 Seasonal events for children and families
16 Everything!
17 Feeding the ducks
18 Forest picnic area
19 Health walks and cycle rides
20 The Lookout
21 Cycle Hire Centre
22 Go Ape Forest Segway
23 Seasons Restaurant
24 Recreation events
25 Exhibitions
Play Trail top 10 structures:
1 Snake Pit
2 Ants Nest
3 Crocodile Crossing
4 Webs
5 Giants Nests
6 Timber
7 Spiders Web
8 Funnel Trap
9 Pond Maze
10 The House of Baba Yaga (opened summer 2013 & already in the top 10!) |
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