Moors Valley Country Park
A vibrant country park with a treetop walkway, steam railway, bike park, and extensive woodland trails for all ages.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Moors Valley Country Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant country park with a treetop walkway, steam railway, bike park, and extensive woodland trails for all ages.
"A fabulous place for young children with plenty to do, even without the paid attractions!"
🚗 Park Smart
Consider parking outside the park to avoid high fees. Walk or cycle in to save money! 🚗
🌳 Explore the Trails
Wander through the beautiful woodlands and discover hidden gems on the various walking routes. :hiking_boot:
Quick Facts
Rating
4.6 · 9,216 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Treetop Walkway
Forest Canopy
Experience the forest from a new perspective on this elevated walkway, offering stunning views and a unique adventure.
Watchmoor Bike Park
Near the entrance
A newly redesigned bike park with progressive trails for all skill levels, perfect for cycling enthusiasts.
Play Trail
Woodland paths
An engaging one-mile trail featuring ten unique wooden structures for climbing and exploring, ideal for families.
Moors Valley Railway
Central area
A charming narrow-gauge steam railway offering scenic rides through the park's beautiful landscapes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Parking Costs & Alternatives
Embrace the Trails & Activities
+1Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Park Smart
Consider parking outside the park to avoid high fees. Walk or cycle in to save money! 🚗
🌳 Explore the Trails
Wander through the beautiful woodlands and discover hidden gems on the various walking routes. :hiking_boot:
🚂 Ride the Steam Train
A delightful experience for all ages, offering scenic views of the park. Book tickets in advance! :train2:
🚴♀️ Cycle Tracks Galore
Moors Valley offers cycle tracks for all abilities, including the exciting Watchmoor Bike Park. 🚲
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Park Smart
Consider parking outside the park to avoid high fees. Walk or cycle in to save money! 🚗
🌳 Explore the Trails
Wander through the beautiful woodlands and discover hidden gems on the various walking routes. :hiking_boot:
🚂 Ride the Steam Train
A delightful experience for all ages, offering scenic views of the park. Book tickets in advance! :train2:
🚴♀️ Cycle Tracks Galore
Moors Valley offers cycle tracks for all abilities, including the exciting Watchmoor Bike Park. 🚲
🧺 Picnic Spots
Plenty of lovely areas to set up a picnic, especially near the main playground. :sandwich:
👻 Halloween Trail
Don't miss the spooky Halloween trail with eerie lights and characters for a memorable experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Moors Valley for its beautiful woodland setting and the abundance of activities for families, including the play trail and treetop walkway. However, the high parking fees are a recurring point of dissatisfaction for many, leading some to seek alternative access methods.
"I hadn't visited in ages and I'll make sure I don't leave it too long before coming back. The amazing weather helped of course. Good to see they're reinvesting into the place with added installations, additional seating, and a refreshment stand on the play trail. Kids were happy and there are far worse surroundings. The woodland is beautiful. We parked offside and walked in which paid for the ice creams!"
Tony Cross
"Parking crazy expensive. I fully understand this is put towards maintaining the lovely area but I would prefer to pay a one off fee then relax knowing we aren't being charged by the minute/the longer we stay the more it costs.
We stayed for less than two hours, for a short walk around to break up a long journey and see if the go ape looked like something we could do with our kids on another visit or use our bikes in the area.
It cost us over £12 for the parking fee!
We won't be returning here unless we park outside if the area and walk/ride in."
Julia Carling
"Such a fabulous place for young children! Yes the parking charge is high but there is no entrance fee so it seemed good value to us, the one mile play trail of ten wooden structures to climb and explore dotted around the forest was the perfect length. Lovely park area near the main playground to bring a picnic etc. We didn't go on the train (costs extra) as there was more than enough to do without that."
Victoria Troth
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Moors Valley Country Park is located near Ringwood, Hampshire. You can reach it by car via the A31. Public transport options are limited, so driving is generally recommended. Some visitors suggest parking offsite to avoid high parking charges.
Yes, there is a large car park at the start of the park. However, be aware that parking fees can be quite high, with some visitors reporting over £12 for a short stay. Consider alternative parking options if budget is a concern.
Absolutely! Moors Valley has excellent cycle tracks and is a popular destination for cyclists. You can bring your own bikes or rent them there. Cycling in from an external parking spot is also a great option.
The park itself is generally accessible throughout the year. However, specific attractions like the café and toilets may have set closing times, often around 5:30 PM. It's best to check the official website for the most up-to-date hours for all facilities.
Public transport options to Moors Valley are limited. While buses may serve the general area, direct routes to the park are not common. Driving is the most convenient way to access the park, or consider combining it with a cycling trip if coming from a nearby town.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no entrance fee to access Moors Valley Country Park itself, which makes it a great value destination for exploring the woodlands and playgrounds. However, charges apply for parking and specific attractions like the steam railway and Go Ape.
Parking fees at Moors Valley can be substantial. Visitors have reported costs exceeding £12 for short stays, which some find expensive. It's advisable to factor this into your budget or explore offsite parking options.
While not always mandatory, booking tickets for the Moors Valley Railway in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons or weekends, to guarantee your spot on this popular attraction.
Information on specific discounts for attractions like the Moors Valley Railway or Go Ape is best found on their respective websites or by contacting the park directly. Family tickets or package deals might be available during certain times.
Yes, Moors Valley is a fantastic destination for cycling! There are dedicated cycle tracks for all abilities, and the Watchmoor Bike Park offers challenging trails for mountain bikers.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Moors Valley boasts a treetop walkway, the Watchmoor Bike Park, a scenic steam railway, extensive woodland trails, and a popular play trail with ten wooden structures.
Absolutely! The one-mile play trail with its ten climbing and exploring structures is perfect for young children. The park also has playgrounds and open spaces for them to enjoy.+1
Moors Valley offers a variety of walking trails through beautiful woodlands, catering to different fitness levels. From gentle strolls to more challenging routes, there's something for everyone.
Yes, there are toilets and cafes located at the start of the park. However, note that toilets may close around 5:30 PM, and bins are primarily located at the start, so it's best to plan accordingly.
Moors Valley hosts a popular Halloween Twilight Hour trail with spooky displays, immersive characters, and atmospheric lighting, creating a magical and eerie experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are cafes located at the start of the park offering refreshments, ice creams, and slushies. Visitors also recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy in the designated areas.
Definitely! Moors Valley has lovely park areas, particularly near the main playground, that are perfect for picnics. It's a great way to save money and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
The cafes typically offer a range of snacks, hot and cold drinks, and light meals. You can expect items like coffee, ice cream, and slushies, as mentioned by visitors.
While specific menus can vary, cafes at country parks often provide a selection of vegetarian options. It's advisable to check with the cafe directly for the most current vegetarian and vegan offerings.
The park area near the main playground is frequently mentioned as a great spot for picnics. You'll also find numerous scenic locations throughout the woodlands to enjoy your meal.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning shots of the treetop walkway, the steam railway, the vibrant autumn foliage, and the diverse woodland scenery. The play trail also offers unique photographic moments.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light, ideal for landscape and wildlife photography. The Halloween trail at twilight provides a magical, atmospheric setting for unique shots.
The elevated views from the treetop walkway, the picturesque scenes around the lake, and the winding paths through the forest are all excellent for photography. Don't forget the charming steam train!
Moors Valley is home to various bird species, squirrels, and other small woodland creatures. Keep an eye out during your walks for opportunities to capture nature's beauty.
Yes, you can take photos from the train and of the train itself. It's a classic country park scene that makes for wonderful nostalgic pictures.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit