Moors Valley Railway and Play Trail top public vote (Dec 2013)
The Moors Valley Railway and Play Trail have been voted joint first in a poll to discover the public’s favourite activity at the third most visited country park in England.
Throughout the year visitors have been voting for the things they love most at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest near Ringwood. Their top 25 have now been announced marking the culmination of the Park’s 25 year celebrations.
Top of the list, Moors Valley Railway was the first attraction at the Park to be opened to the public and clearly remains a firm favourite more than 25 years on. It offers visitors the chance to enjoy a ride on an authentic steam train, travelling along the lakeside, through tunnels and over a bridge. Tieing with the railway, in joint first place, the mile-long Play Trail offers hours of outdoor family fun as children enjoy healthy activity and build their confidence scrabbling on its exciting wooden play structures.
Value for money also made it into the top five, with parking charges not deterring families looking for a great day out with no admission fees.
Countryside Interpretation Ranger Katie Davies said, “As we reach the end of our 25 year celebrations we are really pleased to know that people appreciate the family-friendly focus of the Park. It’s great to see a wide range of different experiences in the top 25, ranging from the ‘paying’ attractions like Go Ape and the Segways to more simple activities such as the lakeside walks and enjoying an ice cream.”
Looking to the future, 25 commemorative trees are to be planted around the Park’s newest play structure, the house of Baba Yaga. And the fun will continue in 2014 with lots more family-friendly activities, including the arrival of a very special visitor to Moors Valley Country Park in the New Year.
Please be aware that during the winter months Moors Valley Railway runs only at weekends and that other features may be closed for essential maintenance. The Visitor Centre and Tree Top Trail will be closed between 13th and 17th January 2014.
For more information contact the Moors Valley Rangers on 01425 470721 or go to www.moors-valley.co.uk
ENDS
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Editors’ Notes:
A selection of high resolution images can be downloaded from the press images gallery.
The full results of the Moors Valley Top 25 public vote:
1 Joint first: MV Railway & Play Trail
2 Tree Top Trail
3 Junior play area
4 Family cycle trails
5 Value for money
6 New Forest Ice Creams
7 The peace and quiet
8 Lakeside picnic area
9 Go Ape Tree Top Adventure
10 Walking trails
11 Infants play area
12 The friendly staff
13 Go Ape Tree Top Junior
14 Through the Forest singletrack
15 Seasonal events for children and families
16 Everything!
17 Feeding the ducks
18 Forest picnic area
19 Health walks and cycle rides
20 The Lookout
21 Cycle Hire Centre
22 Go Ape Forest Segway
23 Seasons Restaurant
24 Recreation events
25 Exhibitions
Play Trail top 10 structures:
1 Snake Pit
2 Ants Nest
3 Crocodile Crossing
4 Webs
5 Giants Nests
6 Timber
7 Spiders Web
8 Funnel Trap
9 Pond Maze
10 The House of Baba Yaga (opened summer 2013)