Dorset is home to plenty of country parks, making it easy to plan a family day out. These parks offer a wide variety of facilities and activities, from play areas and walking trails to picnic spots and wildlife watching. Best of all, many are inexpensive or free, making them perfect for families looking to enjoy a day out without breaking the bank.
Visiting a country park is a great way to encourage the whole family to get outside, explore nature, and enjoy the additional activities on offer – from scenic walks to fun outdoor play.
Moors Valley Country Park
Horton Rd, Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2ET
Moors Valley Country park is on the Dorset and Hampshire border. Facilities at Moors Valley include a tree top trail, Go Ape, Segways, large play area, plenty of open space, steam train and plenty of open space to explore.
Parking at Moors Valley is chargeable per hour, the price varying depending on season. All day parking is available giving better value for money if you’re staying all day.
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Moors Valley is dog friendly as long as they are kept on a short lead around the main areas. Cycling is another popular activity if you’re looking to explore the forest trails. A cycle hire centre is available if you don’t have your own bikes.
Taking your own picnic is a great idea for enjoying your lunch along the forest trails. Alternatively there is a restaurant offering snacks and meals as well as ice cream stands and takeaway snack options dotted around the main areas of the park.
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Avon Heath Country Park
Brocks Pine, St. Leonard’s, St Ives, Ringwood, BH24 2DH
Avon Heath Country Park is around 10 miles from Bournemouth. Known for its unique and rare wildlife, you can also enjoy a play area, discovery centre, nature nursery and plenty more. There are plenty of heathland and woodland paths to explore, with the majority being flat and easy to walk on.
Parking at Avon Heath is chargeable by the hour after the first 15 minutes. The park is dog friendly as long as they are on a lead in the car parks and visitor areas.
Avon Heath has a cafe offering snacks and small meals, as well as a kiosk serving takeaway treats if you aren’t planning on taking a picnic.
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Upton Country Park
Poole Road, Upton, Poole, BH17 7BJ
Upton Country park is also home to Upton Country House, a popular choice for weddings. The country park has plenty of car parking space, chargeable by the hour.
Facilities include lots of open space on the front lawn which is popular for families wishing to spend some time relaxing and enjoying family time. There is lots to discover at Upton Country park including a play park, walled garden, splash fountain during the Summer months,
The park is close to Holes Bay in Poole, and discovering some of the walks along the woodland paths offer stunning views across the bay.
There are two specified dog training areas which are enclosed areas where your dog can enjoy off lead exercise. In the remaining areas of the park, dogs are welcome but on leads.
Throughout the year as the seasons change, so do the gardens, colours and flowers and shrubs. Why not visit in February to see the snowdrops.
Additional facilities include a 9 hole wildlife themed adventure golf course. Also between May and September, Upton Country Park is home to the FREE Park Yoga each weekend.
Durlston Country Park
Lighthouse Road, Swanage, BH19 2JL
Durlston Country Park and Nature Reserve offers some great views across the Jurassic Coast. Home to Durlston Castle, which also doubles as the visitor centre at Durlston, The castle is accessible for everyone providing some lovely views from the top.
Durlston is a popular choice for wildlife lovers. Home to seabirds including guillemots and you might even spot some dolphins that are known to visit the waters.
Parking at Durlston Country park is chargeable per hour or you can opt to pay a day rate which works out to be better value if you’re staying all day.
You can’t visit Durlston and not see the globe. The Great Globe is one of the largest stone spheres in the world. Created by a local man in the 1800’s to give something back to the place he dwelled in.
Why not enjoy a walk out to Anvil Point lighthouse or to Dancing Ledge.
Lodmoor Country Park
Weymouth DT4 7SX
Lodmoor Country park is a short stroll away from Weymouth esplanade, offering facilities including a small cafe, picnic area with barbecue stands.
Also home to a play park, green gym equipment for both adults and children, and the RSPB nature reserve which offers a 2.5km walk on flat ground as you discover the sea marsh birds that visit the reserve.
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Parking at Lodmoor Country Park is also the parking area next to Weymouth Sealife Centre, which offers the largest selection of marine creatures in the UK.
Other nearby facilities and attractions include a pitch and putt course, a model railway and go karts. You will also find the amazing Sandworld located at Lodmoor Country Park too.
