Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is located on the Dorset/Hampshire boarder. It’s the most amazing place for a great family day out with miles of tracks through forest, health and woodland, perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. We’ve visited several times now, and would go more if we weren’t so far away.
We were invited last weekend to try archery, which is available on a pay as you go basis ( £3.50 for 10 arrows ) or private lessons can also be booked. The archery is suitable for children aged 4 and upwards. My 5 year old managed really well and the grown-ups were challenged too.
Our lovely instructor was very patient with my three exuberant children and explained everything clearly and fully as well as helping the girls who needed a bit more guidance than Zak. The whole experience was very calm, safe and really enjoyable. They all loved trying to hit the pig and there were many, many giggles as they got him the ear and leg.
I was really impressed with all three kids, who seemed to have a good aim and an appreciation for the safety aspects. Even I managed a couple of arrows in the yellow area. We are all desperate to have another go, I might have to find a local club.
Everything we needed was there ready for us and little left hander was very pleased to have a special bow!
We would definitely recommend trying archery this summer if you’re in the area.
Great reasons to visit Moors Valley
It’s an inexpensive day out
As you only pay for parking, Moors Valley is very reasonably priced. You do pay extra for bike hire and a nominal free for the train, but there’s plenty to do completely free.
Play Trail and Play Areas
Moors Valley has many play areas, my children love the big area with slides and a zip wire near the entrance and the play areas along the play trail are AMAZING. No one ever complains about walking at Moors Valley as if you follow the Play Trail there’s always another play area in sight to happily run to. The 1 mile trail always takes us at least 2 hours as we stop at each of the 10 play structures.
Special Events
There are often special walks for children, we tried the Super Worm Trail last year and currently there’s a Stick Man trail which we haven’t tried at Moors Vally, but it was great fun at Alice Holt Forest.
The rangers organise over 500 events each year, so it’s definitely worth checking the website frequently so you don’t miss anything.
Find The Gruffalo
The beautiful sculpture of the Gruffalo is located near the bike hire area, and is great for a photo opportunity.
The Fitness Trail
The fitness trail is a two mile route through the forest with 10 exercise stations along the way. There are instructions at each station with differing levels of difficulty. My little gymnasts especially enjoy the bars.
You can ride a steam train
My 5 year old adored her ride on the miniature steam train. You catch the train from the station and go on a 1 mile round trip along the banks of the Moors Lake. A definite must do for any little train fans.
Go Ape and Segway Adventures
For an extra charge you can try Go Ape or have a Segway Adventure through the forest. Remember you’ll probably need to book these in advance.
You can hire bikes
Bikes, trailers and tag -alongs are available to hire for a fee. We received complimentary bikes during our visit and the children loved the new experience of cycling through the forest instead of walking.
Moors Valley is definitely one of my favourite family days out, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Thank you to Moors Valley for providing us with bike hire, train tickets and a wonderful archery experience
We are huge Moors Valley fans but haven’t tried the archery yet. Will have to have a go.
Wow your kids do have a good aim with the archery! I’ve never done this activity but it seems like it would be quite hard to hit the target so kudos to them!
As a family we have done things like the steam train rides though, great fun!
I am so useless at Archery!! Looks like everyone had a fantastic time. My son tried archery when we were on holiday, he loved it
I am absolutely terrible at Archery so I am very impressed! Mr R loved it in his uni days however, so he would love that. I would have to give the Gruffalo a hug instead! 😀
I’m useless at archery. The kids look like they had a great time x
Ohh this looks great, we were down this way last week and I even considered going here but we didn’t. I must put it on the list for next tie, thanks. Mich x
Wow – you guys rock at archery – brill stuff! My boys loved archery too and I keep meaning to find some local activities for them. This place looks great if we are in the area it sounds like a fabulous day out. Forests are just the best places! x
This looks like so much fun! My eldest would love to try archery
I love doing archery with the boys, especially as I can give them a run for their money. We had a fab 4 hours at our local forest walkway today.
I’ve great memories of this place as I’d take the kids I NAnnie’s for every school holiday. They had a holiday home in Mudeford.
Such great value too
We LOVE Moors Valley, such a great place for a day out and not too far from us. Have never tried any of the extras tho, I think my boys would enjoy archery so will consider it for our next visit!
We love Moors Valley as it is really close to us.Sadly we didn’t get the chance to do archery as we were away but are there next week for their train open day :0)
Moors Valley is one of my favorite places I have ever visited. As my passion is with archery So I am very fascinated by seeing your post. Thanks for this. Happy archery!