News from the Park and Forest

School Holidays

As many of our regular visitors will know, Moors Valley can get very busy during the school holidays as lots of families visit us to enjoy the sunshine!
During especially busy periods we may have to close the Park when the car park becomes full (most likely between 12pm and 2pm. On these occasions we will open again as soon as we have enough car park spaces for the rest of the day (usually after around 1hr to 1.5hrs). Our best advice is to arrange to arrive earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to reduce risk of disappointment.
Visitors with pre-booked activities such as Go Ape or Ranger-led events will be allowed entry while we are closed.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused at times when we are closed. Please note that parking along the driveway and Horton Road is not permitted.

New Sensory Garden

We are planning an exciting project to create a sensory and wellness garden at Moors Valley and would love to hear from children and adults about what they would like to see included. A public consultation period will take place over the summer where visitors and interested parties can look at some of the proposed plans, vote for their favourite features and suggest additional features they would like to see included.
Those interested in being involved in the consultation are invited to express their interest by emailing Katie Davies on katie.davies@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk for more details.

Updated barbecue policy

From 1 July 2018 we have banned disposable barbecues as part of a campaign to reduce environmental damage. Visitors to the park will still be able to use barbecues, but only portable, re-usable ones which are more environmentally sustainable.
For several years we have been providing stands for disposable barbecues to raise them safely off the ground and asking visitors to take their barbecue rubbish home with them. Unfortunately, following several incidents of burning grass and picnic tables and repeated dumping of coals and ash in the protected river environment we have decided to take the step to ban disposable barbecues.
If you’re planning to enjoy a barbecue at Moors Valley we simply ask that from now on, you only bring portable, re-usable barbecues on legs to the park and respect the countryside environment by disposing of your waste responsibly and ensure your barbecue is extinguished fully after use.

Why we have no rubbish bins

Moors Valley has always had a ‘no rubbish bin policy’.
Rubbish that is generated from purchases on site – Visitor Centre gift shop, restaurant, ice cream kiosk, go ape shop, railway gift shop and kiosks – can be returned to these outlets and is recycled where possible. However, visitors bringing picnic, barbecue and other rubbish to the site are asked to take their rubbish home, just as they would if they were visiting any other area of countryside where bins aren’t provided.
Bins, however often they are emptied, are unsightly, can smell, attract wasps and vermin and be dangerous to wildlife.
To empty bins vehicles are necessary, compromising visitor peace and safety.
Eight dog bins are provided in the Forest (see map leaflet).
Nappy bins are provided in the family toilets.

Footpath diversion

The ‘bendy’ boardwalk on the pink cycle loop and yellow walking route has been closed for safety reasons and will be replaced over the winter. Whilst works take place these routes will be diverted over a temporary bridge at the top of Moors Lake and along the lakeside path.
Walkers, cyclists and horse riders will all be using this section of path at the top of Moors Lake in both directions – please be respectful of each other.
Walkers have priority and cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders. As always, please keep all dogs on a lead around Moors Lake.
Thank you for your co-operation.