COVID-19 Update

Updated 5 May 2021

Following the government announcement regarding the easing of lockdown restrictions, Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is open, with new guidelines in place.

Please be aware, for the safety of our visitors and staff our guidance below may change at short notice. Please keep checking this page for updates.

At this stage, some of our facilities remain closed and the facilities that are open may have new procedures in place.

Facilities Now Open

Toilets – COVID-secure modifications in place
Visitor Centre – COVID-secure modifications in place
Gift Shop – COVID-secure modifications in place
Seasons Restaurant Outdoor Seating Area and takeaway kiosk – Further details listed here
Ice Cream Kiosk – Open 10.30am – 5pm
Go Ape – Further details listed here
Railway – Open weekends and Dorset school holidays. Further details listed here
Play Trail – All structures are now re-open with COVID-secure modifications in place
Play Parks – Full details of the new play park guidance is listed here
Golf – Further details listed here
Cycle Hire – Further details listed here
Health and Activity sessions – Further details listed here
Fitness Trail
Walking and cycling trails
Watchmoor Bike Park

Facilities Now Closed

Seasons Restaurant Indoor Seating Area – Outdoor table service open from the 12th of April. Further details listed here
First Aid – Due to COVID restrictions our Rangers are not currently administering first aid, unless a life threatening situation arises. We will endeavour to assist with providing suitable first aid supplies and advice where possible
Orienteering – Our course is being updated, new course launching soon
Fishing – Season starts again on 15th June 2021. Further details listed here
Ranger Den
Ranger-led Activities and Events
Large group sessions, such as parkrun

Exercise and outdoor recreation

You can meet up outdoors with people you do not live with, either:

In a group of up to 6 from any number of households (children of all ages count towards the limit of 6)
In a group of any size from up to two households (each household can include an existing support bubble, if eligible)

Continue to minimise the amount you travel where possible and avoid travel at the busiest times and routes. Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble and follow government guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus at all times.

Visit responsibly

Please park legally, safely and considerately – only using designated parking areas. Keep roads and gateways clear and leave plenty of room for other road users to pass
Plan ahead – we’re operating a COVID-secure reduced capacity so if the car park is full, please be prepared to turn around and visit another time
To help prevent forest fires please do not use BBQs or portable cooking equipment
Help protect our wildlife and take your litter home. Rubbish from items purchased on site can be returned to the outlet in which you purchased it
If you’re visiting with a dog, please keep them under close control to help protect local wildlife such as ground-nesting birds, and bag and bin your dog’s waste. Please remember that dogs are not allowed in our enclosed play parks near the Visitor Centre

Stay safe

There are three simple actions we encourage all visitors to do to help keep everyone safe: –

Hands – Please use hand sanitiser stations often, especially upon arrival at the park
Face – Please wear a face-covering where social distancing may be difficult (exemptions apply)
Space – Please stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing a face covering)

Be kind

Please remember to be kind to staff and volunteers during your visit. We are working hard to care for the park and forest, to keep our facilities available to you and to keep you safe. Please respect us as we carry out our work
We do not tolerate abuse and we support the Institute of Customer Service’s campaign for ‘service with respect’

Parking

Please follow the latest government guidance for travel
View our latest update regarding season tickets here
The car park has a reduced capacity
If you have a pre-booked activity with Go Ape or Golf and the car park is temporarily closed please show your booking confirmation to the Rangers at the gate and they will give you access
We are not currently accepting bookings for coaches and minibuses
When the car park reaches capacity it will be temporarily closed. We know this is frustrating, but please be prepared to return home and visit another time. You can view updates on our Facebook page or live news feed
We encourage visitors to arrive before 10am, or after 2 pm where possible to avoid our busiest times

Normal parking charges apply. Full details of our car park charges are listed here

Gift Vouchers

If you have a gift voucher for parking, bike hire or our gift shop we will honour any due to expire during this current lockdown. So don’t worry, you won’t lose out and there will be no rush to come and use the voucher.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Help, Support and Advice

For information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19), what you need to do, what support is available and how you can help please visit the government’s dedicated website.