The Ultimate Guide to visiting Moors Valley Country Park with kids

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If you’re looking for a fun-filled family day out that won’t break the bank, Moors Valley Country Park is an absolute gem. Nestled on the Dorset-Hampshire border, it’s the kind of place where the kids can run wild in nature, and you don’t feel like you’re constantly reaching for your wallet. With adventure playgrounds, woodland trails, picnic spots and even a miniature steam railway, there’s something for everyone – and the best bit? Most of it’s completely free! So, here’s what we got up to, as well as a guide to everything you need to know before your visit to Moors Valley Country Park with the kids.

What is Moors Valley Country Park and where is it located?

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is nestled on the border of Dorset and Hampshire, near Ashley Heath, so you can visit when you’re heading to Hampshire and the New Forest area, or for a Dorset break on the Jurassic coast. It’s a favourite among families seeking outdoor adventures, offering a blend of natural beauty and engaging activities for the kids. Moors Valley Country Park is conveniently located approximately 25 miles from Southampton (making it about a 40 minute drive) and just 10 miles north of Bournemouth (roughly a 20 minute journey). On our first visit to the New Forest, it was one of Finn and Lola’s favourite days out.

Is Moors Valley Country Park free?

The best bit about Moors Valley Country Park is that it’s free – you can enjoy its vast open spaces, walking trails and play areas without an admission fee so it’s a great budget-friendly family day out. However, the country park does have steep parking charges (it’s around £15 if you’re staying for the whole day) but other than that you can pack up a picnic and not spend a penny more if you’d prefer not to.

What is there to do at Moors Valley Country Park for kids?

Moors Valley is one of the best country parks we’ve visited – there are loads of fantastic play spaces for the kids, and you can dip into some extra activities too. Here are the best bits:

Play Areas: The park features two expansive adventure play areas. The larger area caters to older children with equipment like a zip slide, space net, climbing boulder and a fortress of towers and crossings. Adjacent is a gentler play area tailored for younger children, equipped with slides and swings suitable for their age group.

Play Trail and Tree Top Trail: Families can embark on the Play Trail, a one-mile route dotted with unique wooden play structures such as the Snake Pit and Timber. Along this trail, the Tree Top Trail offers a 200-metre-long wooden walkway elevated five metres above the forest floor, providing a bird’s-eye view of the woodland. Please note, the Tree Top Trail is not suitable for pushchairs.

Moors Valley Railway: A highlight for many is the Moors Valley Railway, a narrow-gauge steam train that meanders through the park. It’s a sweet little ride and it makes the trip rather special!

Go Ape: For those seeking a thrill, Go Ape at Moors Valley offers several treetop adventures. The Treetop Challenge and Treetop Adventure courses feature high ropes and zip lines, catering to various age groups and bravery levels, whilst the Nets Adventure offers bouncy treetop nets that are suitable for younger children. My two had a lovely time on high ropes course – though I think Lola found it slightly terrifying bless her! 😂

Beyond these attractions, Moors Valley offers miles of walking and cycling trails, cycle hire facilities and even laser tag. There’s a lot to keep everyone busy, and you can tailor your day to suit the ages and interests of your kids, so it’s a versatile destination for a family day out. I’ve just discovered that you can do Segways in the Forest too – which is a fabulous activity if you’re visiting with older kids – we’ll have to do that next time!

What time does Moors Valley Country Park open and close?

Moors Valley Country Park is open year-round, offering a fantastic attraction in all seasons. Specific opening and closing times can vary, so check the park’s official website or contact the visitor centre directly for the latest information.

What facilities are there at Moors Valley Country Park?

Moors Valley is really well set up for families, which makes the whole day so much easier. There’s plenty of parking (just pay for the time you stay), clean toilets dotted around the park and even baby changing facilities. The café is handy if you fancy a treat or forget the snacks (we’ve all been there!), but there are loads of picnic benches too if you’d rather bring your own and keep costs down. The visitor centre is worth popping into as well – you can grab a map, pick up trail sheets or just get a bit of inspiration for your day.

What else is there to do in the area?

Hampshire is packed full of things to do with the kids – I think the location makes it perfect for a UK family staycation with days out to places like Paultons Park / Peppa Pig World theme park on your doorstep too. Plus walking through the New Forest on a deer hunt won’t cost you a penny! You can also visit New Forest Wildlife Park (take the kids the Blue Peter Badges with you to get them in for free), get soaked at New Forest Water Park, or head to Portsmouth with older kids to visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. For more information, and lots more ideas, check out my article: The 10 best things to do in Hampshire and the New Forest with kids.

If you decide on a Dorset base instead, as well as the obvious perks of being close to some of the most gorgeous coastline in the UK, there are loads of great days out to be had there too. You can take the kids to places like the SEA LIFE Centre in Weymouth, take a ride on Swanage Railway or visit the monkeys at Money World – Ape Rescue Centre. For more ideas for Dorset days out, check out my article: The 10 best things to do in Dorset with kids.

Where are the best places to stay near Moors Valley Country Park?

For a trip to Moors Valley Country Park you can pick from some fabulous family-friendly holiday parks in both Dorset and Hampshire. Within a 45 minute drive you’ve got:

Away Resorts: Sandy Balls Holiday Village, New Forest – we stayed here for our last visit to the New Forest (2025) – check out my review for more info.
Haven Holidays: Rockley Park, Dorset
Shorefield Holidays: Shorefield Country Park, New Forest
Parkdean Resorts: Sandford Holiday Park, Dorset
Park Holidays: Sandhills Holiday Park, Dorset
Shorefield Holidays: Oakdene Forest Park, Dorset
Forest Holidays: Blackwood Forest, Hampshire
Shorefield Holidays: Merley Court Holiday Park, Dorset

Is Moors Valley Country Park worth a visit?

Moors Valley Country Park is definitely worth a visit – it’s a brilliant family-friendly spot for a day out with the kids if you’re staying in either Dorset or Hampshire for your UK staycation. If you’re on a budget, bring a picnic and (besides parking fees) you can avoid spending anything all day as there are loads of play areas on offer to keep the kids entertained. Whether you’re navigating the treetop walkways, chugging along on the steam railway or simply enjoying a picnic amidst the serene surroundings, Moors Valley promises to be loads of fun for kids of all ages! We loved our day, and I’d highly recommend a visit if you’re exploring the New Forest or Dorset on your travels. Have fun! 😊