Half term at Moors Valley
Half term at Moors Valley
Whether you’re looking for things to keep the kids entertained, spend time with loved ones, or enjoy a relaxing day outdoors, we have something just for you.
Please be aware, for the safety of our visitors and staff the information below is subject to change at short notice.
Pond dipping
1 June 2023
10am – 10.30am
10.45am – 11.15am * Fully booked *
11.30am – 12.00 noon
£3 per participant, ages 4+
Come and see what you can net in a guided pond dipping session with the rangers.
Newts, diving beetles, raft spiders and pond snails are all regulars, as well as others.
Meet at Ranger Den.
Moths at Moors
31 May and 2 June 2023
10am – 10.30am
Free, donations welcome
Come and investigate the moth trap and see what may have been attracted overnight.
Some of the all time favourites include the huge hawk moths, bright yellow brimstones and superbly camouflaged peppered moth.
Some caterpillars may also be on the guest list.
Meet at Ranger Den.
All ages welcome.
Ranger Den
30 May – 2 June 2023
Open from 1 – 4pm
Come and see how the Ranger Den tadpoles are growing, and see who else has emerged ready for the summer season.
Plus favourites including microworld, looking up close at creatures barely visible with the naked eye.
No need to book for Ranger Den, just come along and join in. You can find Ranger Den at the back of the Visitor Centre, opposite the toilets.
Ranger Den is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Moors Valley Railway
27 May – 4 June 2023
10.45am – 5pm
Enjoy a ride on an authentic steam train around Moors Valley Country Park.
The 7 ¼” gauge miniature narrow gauge railway provides a picturesque journey of just over a mile. From Lakeside Station travel alongside the lake, through tunnels before going through the goods yard and Kingsmere Station before travelling back to Lakeside Station.
Play Trail
Open every day from 8am
Out in the Forest, discover the Play Trail with its unique pieces of wooden play equipment.
You can wriggle through giant snakes in the ‘Snake Pit’, attempt the ‘Crocodile Crossing’ and balance on the fallen forest of ‘Timber’. The trail is only a mile long but with so many exciting pieces of play equipment, you should allow at least an hour to complete it all. The trail is suitable for pushchairs and most mobility scooters.
No need to book, just turn up.
Play Areas
Open every day from 8am
There are two imaginative play areas close to the Visitor Centre.
The Adventure Play Area, designed especially for older children, includes a zip slide, huge space net, climbing boulder, and a fortress of towers and crossings with a long tube slide.
Younger children will be enthralled in the Castle and Sandworks area with its gentle slides and swings, all set inside a safe sand area so don’t forget to bring your bucket and spade too.
No need to book, just turn up.
Cycle Hire
Open every day from 9.30am
Spring is here so why not blow away those cobwebs and hop on a bike?
We have a large fleet of adults bikes and a good selection of child bikes in various sizes, plus child seats, trailers and tag-a-longs.
Music Trail
Open every day from 8am
Discover our lakeside Music Trail. At each station you’ll find a musical or percussion instrument, each beautifully tuned to produce a soft ambient sound.
Accessible for all ages and abilities, play alone or as a group.
No need to book, just turn up.
Go Ape, Nets Adventure and Forest Segways
The Go Ape Moors Valley team offer five different activities at Moors Valley – three Tree Top courses, Forest Segways, and Nets Adventure.
Tree Top Trail
Open every day from 8am
Halfway along the Play Trail, there is the option to divert onto the Tree Top Trail. This 5 metre high and 200 metre long wooden walkway takes you up amongst the trees and allows you to get a real bird’s eye view of the Forest.
Please note: The Tree Top Trail is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs however, there is a connecting path from start to finish.
Food and Drink
Open every day throughout half term
Treat yourself to a bite to eat from Seasons restaurant or Norris and Binglewort Ice cream Kiosk.
Gift Shop
Open every day from 9am – 5pm
Fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular storybooks will delight in our large range of Gruffalo merchandise, alongside some of the other much-loved characters such as Zog and Stick Man.
We also stock a selection of carefully chosen produce from a range of local suppliers including From Dorset with Love, Filberts, Moores Biscuits, the Dorset Ginger Company and Dorset Tea.
Pitch & Putt
Open every day from 10am – 4pm
£4.50 per person. * Special Offer 3 and 4 June only, £1 per person.*
The 5 hole pitch and putt area is perfect for beginner golfers and families.
Please book in advance by phoning 01425 479776.
