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Moors Valley Country Park
Moors Valley Country Park - New Forest Walks and Picnic Areas
Moors Valley Country Park definitely rates up there with Bolderwood and Wilverley plain when it comes to the ultimate family fun days out in the New Forest.
There is no entry charge to the Moors Valley Country Park but there is a levy on parking here with a maximum charge of £8 per car. This is excellent value for money considering that a trip here often lasts the whole day. Other attractions in the park are subject to a separate charge.
As you descend from the wooded car park you already have started to sense the forest all around you and at the bottom of the slope you come across the visitors centre that is incorporated into the barn that dates back to the 18th century. The Barn also houses the restaurant and the country shop if you want a souvenir of your visit here.
Outside close to the visitors centre there is an excellent play area that the children will really enjoy together with a sand pit for the really young visitors. Also in this area there is the marvellous Moors Valley narrow gauge steam railway.
The Steam Railway ranks as one of the best in the country and with a ride time of 20 minutes or so the kids faces will be beaming both before and after the ride. The ride encompasses a number of tunnels and the central lake where you can sit down and have a family picnic if you wish.
Moving on to the forest side of the park there is the availability of bike hire so you can go cycling around the miles of pathways here, although if you wish to walk that is not a problem as the paths are all well marked.
If you really fancy a bit of exercise monkey style, Moors valley is the home of the Go Ape experience which is a high wire experience high in the tree tops that lasts about 2 hours. This is not for the unfit and pre booking is essential as the experience is very popular.
If you have an hour or so to spare and the kids enjoy a stroll don't miss out on the play trail which has a number of pieces of wooden play equipment to keep the kids amused, you'll also come across some of the cheekier wildlife in the form of the squirrels who are quite time and always partial to a spot of free lunch if you have something to share.
Half way round the play trail is the tree top trail (not to be confused with go ape). This is a treetop walk suitable for younger children about 5 metres above the ground where you can look down on the surrounding forest and try and spot some of the local wildlife.
At the end of the days visit to Moors Valley Country Park we're sure you'll go home or back to your accommodation having had a wonderful but tiring day and will sleep very well indeed.
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