Huge new play structure – “Bewildernest”- opens at Moors Valley (June 2019)

Huge new play structure – “Bewildernest”- opens at Moors Valley (June 2019)

A brand new forest themed play structure, “Bewildernest”, has been opened at the award-winning Moors Valley Country Park and Forest.

A brand new forest themed play structure, “Bewildernest”, has been opened at the award-winning Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. Covering 120 square metres and reaching 7.5 metres at its highest point, it is one of the largest play areas across the Park and is inspired by wild play and the magic of the forest. Located on the Play Trail, nestled in the Forest, the Bewildernest area centres around a giant nest of native woodland shrubs with a mysterious maze of tunnels inside to navigate and explore. From inside the nest children can access a 6 metre high periscope look-out tower and, if they dare, climb higher still to reach an ogre’s lair. From here they can descend back down to the ground via a steep, curving slide.

The imaginative play structure is the work of the talented artists and carpenters of Devon based company Earth Wrights, who specialise in the design and build of play habitats – spaces where children feel at home with nature and its inhabitants, and can play and explore freely.

The one-off design, created specifically for Moors Valley, offers children a range of physical challenges including climbing, running and sliding. The different tunnels and connections between them are designed to spark children’s curiosity and encourage imaginative play.

Made from over 13 cubic metres of timber, the Bewildernest has also been created with some other guests in mind. Native planting incorporated in the nest will offer a habitat for wildlife with many small animals and minibeasts expected to make it their home. Linda Laker, Forestry England’s Recreation Manager for Dorset, said:

“This is a truly large scale play structure and one of our most adventurous yet! There are lots of different areas for children to explore and ways for them to challenge themselves. We hope they and their families will really enjoy trying them all out. We couldn’t add new equipment like this without the funds raised by car parking and we would like to thank visitors to the park for supporting us in this way.”

Moor Valley has a host of play areas for children to explore. On the mile long Play Trail, with its unique pieces of wooden play equipment, children can explore inside a giant ants nest, wriggle through giant snakes, and attempt the crocodile crossing. To get a bird’s eye view of the Forest they can also follow the Tree Top Trail, a 5 metre high and 200 metre long wooden walk amongst the trees.

In addition, there are two imaginative play areas close to the Visitor Centre. The Adventure Play Area is specifically designed for older children with a zip slide, huge space net and fortress of towers. Younger children will be enthralled in the Castle and Sandworks area with its gentle slides and swings, all set within a safe sand area.

For more information and a full list of fun activities taking place at the Moors Valley Country Park and Forest please visit www.moors-valley.co.uk
ENDS

Word Count 497

Notes to editors

Susan Smith
Media Officer, Forestry England, South Forest District
Tel: 07384 878434
susan.smith@forestryengland.uk

Images
High resolution images of the Bewildernest play structure are available on request.

About Moors Valley
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is jointly owned and managed by Dorset Council and Forestry England, working closely with a number of onsite concessions.
The Park has won Gold for Large Visitor Attraction in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

Moors Valley one of the most visited attractions in the south with more than 750,000 visitors annually enjoying its lakeside walks and bike rides, innovative forest play structures, Tree Top Trail, steam railway, Go Ape, Segways and Golf Course.
Prized as much by the local community as visiting tourists the Park also offers stimulating play facilities, nationally recognised green exercise initiatives, locally-sourced restaurant food and an extensive year-round events programme.
Alongside meeting the needs of its visitors, Moors Valley remains a safe haven for wildlife. The Park is one of the best sites in the UK for dragonflies and home to a highly successful water vole reintroduction programme.

More information on the wide range of events and activities taking place at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest can be found at www.moors-valley.co.uk

About Forestry England
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 230 million visits per year. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and are enhancing forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. For more information visit www.forestryengland.uk
Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.

About Dorset Council
The Dorset Council Ranger team at Moors Valley are part of the wider Coast and Greenspace team; working across Dorset to provide, protect and develop open spaces. Visit www.dorsetforyou.com