Moors Valley Country Park is located on Horton Road in Ashley Heath, Dorset. Its landscape includes coniferous and deciduous woodland, lakes, ponds, rivers, meadows and heathland; these habitats support a wide variety of wildlife. This gives you a clear nature and leisure focus when choosing where to stay: the same park brings together wooded areas, water, open meadows and heathland. These landscapes are also paired with several activities that differ in the types of activity and routes they offer.

Getting there and finding your way

The entrance is signposted from the A31 at Ashley Heath and via access roads from West Moors. Signposting may change when junctions are altered, so check the directions before setting off.

Moors Lake: trail or railway

There are two different ways to explore Moors Lake. The self-guided Moors Lake Audio Trail starts at the Visitor Centre and loops around the lake; it is about three-quarters of a mile long and has seven marked stops. The Moors Valley Railway travels for just over a mile along Moors Lake, through tunnels, past a wooded climb and around the play areas on a spiral loop. The choice is between an independent circuit with seven stops and a longer railway journey featuring several route highlights.

The railway runs year-round at weekends and during Dorset school holidays, as well as daily from June to mid-September. This means the weekend and holiday service is not limited to summer, while daily journeys are confined to the stated period. Seasonal timetables may change, so check the times before travelling.

Cycling activities and orienteering

Watchmoor Bike Park in Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is free to use. It offers green practice loops, blue trails and red jump trails. Moors Valley Cycle Hire has adult and children’s bikes in various sizes, as well as child seats, trailers and tag-along bikes. The two cycling options therefore have different focuses: the Bike Park specifies trail types, while Cycle Hire focuses on bike sizes and additional equipment.

Orienteering and high ropes courses also have different focuses. Moors Valley Forest has a permanent orienteering course with several courses for different ability levels. Go Ape Moors Valley offers three high ropes courses for different age groups and thrill levels. Orienteering activities are graded by ability level, while Go Ape’s are organised by age group and thrill level.

Activities for children

There are several different activities for children. At Adventure Valley Mini Land Rover, children take the wheel for an off-road driving experience. Adventure Valley Mini Golf is an 18-hole course that passes through grassland, woodland and wetland habitats. The one-mile-long Play Trail features ten wooden play structures. The options range from a driving activity to mini golf through different habitats and a play trail with individual play structures.

Discover more destinations: Verwood, Christchurch, Ashmore, Worth Matravers, Alderholt, Woodsford, Bridport, Sherborne.

For the regional travel overview: Dorset.