About Us
Moors Valley use a small team of rangers to operate the site and ensure the facilities are to the highest standard. The site is a joint venture between Dorset Council and Forestry England.
Dorset Council
The Visitor Centre and wider visitor service provisions are looked after by a team of rangers employed by Dorset Council. They are responsible for the management of the 2 traditional play areas, lakes, rivers, meadows and woodland extending north up to and including Potterne Wood. They also provide environmental education sessions for school groups, organise and run a diverse events and activities programme and provide visitor services throughout the site. These rangers also manage the concessionaires who operate the restaurant and Moors Valley Railway.
The Dorset Council Ranger team at Moors Valley are part of the wider Coast and Greenspace team. Visit the Dorset Council website for more information: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Forestry England
The forest, Play Trail, cycle routes and forest walking routes, are looked after by a team of Forestry England rangers and craftspeople. They are responsible for the maintenance and installation of new play structures and general maintenance of the woodland, wooded heath, heathland and mire system set within the forest. Forestry England also manage permissions across this 8000 hectares of woodland and heath alongside Crown lands in the nearby New Forest National Park. Forestry England rangers manage the concessionaires who operate Go Ape, the ice cream and Explorers kiosk. To find out more visit www.forestryengland.uk
Both ranger teams are involved in a diverse and challenging variety of work:
Management and maintenance of all the sites – day-to-day work such as play equipment inspections and litter picking, conservation works e.g. tree felling works, river management and maintenance tasks, such as repairs to fences, trails and boardwalks.
Visitor Services – staffing the Information Point in the Visitor Centre, responding to customer queries and issues, such as first aid and lost children, providing information such as websites, social media, maps and leaflets, promotion, running the Cycle Hire Centre and retail provision
Education – rangers lead over 5,000 children in educational activities each year, these include school groups, clubs, holiday events and our educational suite; Ranger Den. Activities include bushcraft skills, pond dipping, fishing, cycling, tree studies, mini-beast hunts and orienteering.
Adventurous Play – the rangers oversee 2 traditional play areas, which include a zip wire, space net and wavy slide, a bespoke 10-station play trail and Adventure Valley, which includes an 18-hole mini golf course and mini electric Land Rover rides for children.
Our Awards
Visit England Quality Assured Attraction 2017-2024
Dorset Tourism Awards:
Large Visitor Attraction 2021 – Gold
Large Visitor Attraction 2019 – Silver
Large Visitor Attraction 2017 – Gold
Access and Inclusivity Award 2016 – Gold
Sustainable Tourism Awards 2016 – Gold
Large Visitor Attraction 2015 – Gold
Access and Inclusivity Award 2015 – Silver
Winner of Winners Award 2015
South West Tourism Excellence Awards
Large Visitor Attraction 2021/22 – Silver
Large Visitor Attraction 2017/18 – Gold
Access and Inclusivity 2016/17 – Bronze
Sustainable Tourism 2016/17 – Bronze
Large Visitor Attraction 2015/2016 – Silver
Green Flag Award
Primary Times Reader Star Awards Outdoor Play Dorset Winner 2015-2019
Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Award (Formerly Certificate of Excellence) 2013 – 2020 and 2022 – 2023