This is what to do at Moors Valley Country Park as a family
We love Moors Valley Country Park! There is so much to do for the whole family and all ages can enjoy a day out.
Set over 1000-acres of woodland, Moors Valley Country Park has play trails, cycle trails, a steam train, a lake, and loads of buggy-friendly walks for the little ones.
Run by Forestry England, Moors Valley Country Park is a family-friendly space that offers you everything you need for an amazing day out!
Moors Valley Country Park is dog friendly but they ask for all dogs to be kept on leads with the only exception being the woods away from all the playgrounds.
There are also no bins at all around Moors Valley Country Park. It’s all about taking your rubbish home with you.
If you are looking for more things to do near Moors Valley Country Park then have a look at:
The Best List of Things to do in Ringwood Hampshire – Being really close to Ringwood, there is loads to do for the whole family.
A Huge Guide to Things to do in New Forest – Driving back from Moors Valley Country Park, why not find a quiet stop in the New Forest? We have loads of suggestions here.
Things To Do In Fordingbridge With Kids – Fordingbridge is a small New Forest town that has loads to offer the family.
The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire – We love country parks and Hampshire has loads of them. How many of these have you been to?
Things to do in Hampshire Guide
Wondering what to do today? Then our guide for ALL things Hampshire is for you!
If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire with kids then this guide is for you. We have over 200+ ideas that you can use to keep your whole family amused while exploring everything Hampshire has to offer!
This is an up to date spreadsheet, in activity order, that you can use when you have no clue what to do. We’ve included everything from country parks, to splash pools, lakes, castles, days out, playgrounds and walks.
Have a look at our Things to do in Hampshire Guide here.
Where is Moors Valley Country Park?
You can find Moors Valley Country Park on Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2ET. Moors Valley Country Park is 35 minutes from the center of Southampton.
We try and get there for as early as possible as the car park does get very busy during half terms and the summer holidays. Anytime after about 11am you’ll be really lucky to get a space!
Where can you park at Moors Valley Country Park?
There is loads of parking at Moors Valley Country Park. As you drive in there is a barrier that takes your car registration number. You can then drive around and find a space.
To pay for parking, you type in your car registration number and pay. The machine takes card or cash.
Parking charges vary throughout the year. On most days during the half term and summer holidays, it costs £15 to park all day or over 5 hours. You can get a season ticket for parking at the visitor centre but I only recommend this if you plan to go at least once a month.
If you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday then they do offer a reduced parking charge of £1.40 until 1030am. You pay at the machine by the visitor centre when you arrive or anytime before 1030am to get this price. You must exit before 1045am or you will be charged the normal rate.
What is there to do at Moors Valley Country Park?
There is so much to do at Moors Valley Country Park!
Playgrounds
Right by the visitor centre, there are two huge playgrounds that are great for all ages. The first playground is perfect for older kids. It has a zip line, a space net, a climbing boulder, tube slides, a climbing frame, and a huge wide slide. There is plenty of seating around the park for adults as well.
The park right next door is the best park for toddlers. The floor is full of soft sand and it has a castle play area, slides, swings, and an area for digging if you’ve brought your bucket and spades.
The Play Trail
This mile trail is a great way to get the whole family walking. Each play area offers something a little different. There are nine different small playgrounds on this trail that give the kids time to play and the adults time to sit down and relax.
The Giant Wood Ants Nest is a great place for the kids to explore. There are slides and a fire pole to slide down.
Enchanted Woods is a small walk-through with equipment that the kids can climb on.
The House of Baba Yaga is great for all ages. What we loved was that even us adults could fit in there too.
The Snake Pit is a huge climbing frame and tunnel that the kids can explore.
Bewildernest is a huge slide. It’s easier for older kids as there is a metal climb to the very top. Smaller kids can explore the tunnels underneath it though. There are loads of picnic benches around here if you fancy a stop for lunch.
Hawk House is a bird-shaped climbing frame with slides and poles.
The Spider has loads of equipment that the kids can walk along. Great for all ages.
Crocodile Crossing is great to walk along.
Timber is on a huge hill and gets the kids climbing high and exploring the equipment that is made of fallen trees.
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Walking and cycling trails
There are 9 trails that you can take. You can get a dedicated trail map from the visitor centre for £1 or follow the trails using the coloured mark stumps.
The Tree Top Trail
The Tree Top Trail is the same as the Play Trail above. You can’t take a buggy up there as it’s a small wooden bridge that takes you through the trees. There is a path that you can use to miss it out if you prefer.
The Tree Top Trail can be found between the Hawk House and the Spider play equipment.
Walking trails
The Lake and Riverside Walk is under a mile and takes you around the lake.
The Lookout Trail is 1.5 miles and takes you right up to The Lookout station. This gives you some amazing views of the local wildlife.
The Park and Forest Walk is 3 miles and takes you through the dense forest. Pack your wellies as some areas can get a little muddy.
Long Forest Walk is 5 miles and takes you through some of the best views of the Hampshire and Dorset forest.
The Gruffalo Trail is great for younger kids. See how many of their favorite characters they can spot.
Family cycle routes
Moors Valley Country Park do offer bike hire on-site but charges do apply.
The Corsican Loop is 2 miles and great for kids as it has very little hills.
The Crane Loop adds another 2 miles on that. The Somerlay Loop adds another mile and the Watchmoor Loop adds 1.5 miles. There are plenty of places to stop though and have a picnic along the way.
Can I buy food at Moors Valley Country Park?
Yes, Moors Valley Country Park have a great cafe onsite that offers a range of food. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner plus all the snacks and drinks you can think of!
Go Ape Moors Valley
Moors Valley Country Park have a Go Ape. You do normally have to book this in advance but it’s great for groups who want an extra bit of adventure. If you have a MyVipRewards Card then you can get up to 10% off on all bookings daily except Saturdays.
Related Posts:
- The Ultimate List of Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly
- The Best Lakes in Hampshire
- The Best Places to Cycle Near Me in Hampshire
Steam Train
Right by the lake is the Steam Train. This train takes you on a little ride to Kingsmere station. You can get off here for ice creams and drinks or stay on the train for the return journey.
Open throughout the year but not during the colder months, the train is a great way to entertain little ones.
It currently costs £4.90 for an adult return and £2.90 for a child return. Tickets can be brought on the day from the kiosk by the train. There is also loads of picnic benches here.
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.
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