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Avon Heath Country Park

Ringwood
Courtesy of Avon Heath Country Park

WHERE

Ringwood

What it’s like

Open heathland trails to walk, cycle or just let the kids charge ahead on, with the visitor centre as your base.

This is a walking and trails park rather than a ride-and-play one, so what your kids do is roam. There's heath to cross, paths to follow, and if you've got a dog it comes along too, walkers are properly welcome on the trails.

The park gates are open 8am to 7.30pm, which gives you a long day if you want it, but the Visitor Centre only runs 10am to 4pm, so plan your loo stops and any centre business around that window rather than the gate times. Toilets are the one amenity listed, so pack snacks and drinks if you're out for a few hours.

Over Christmas the car park, café and Visitor Centre shut completely on Christmas Day itself, though the toilets stay open as unisex only. Boxing Day and New Year's Day it loosens up a bit, car park and toilets open from 9am, but the café and centre stay closed. If you're planning a festive walk, go later in the day once things have properly opened.

There's no booking system here, so you just turn up. That suits families who want to decide on the morning whether it's a heath day or not, though it does mean no guarantee of anything beyond the gates being open.

Facilities

Toilets

Need to know

Dogs
Dog walkers welcome on walks and trails
  • Only toilets are confirmed on site, so bring your own food and drink
  • Visitor Centre hours are shorter than the gate hours, plan around 10am to 4pm
  • No booking needed, just turn up
  • Christmas Day toilets are unisex only with everything else closed

Plan your visit

What is there for kids to actually do?

It's trails and open heathland for walking, with families using it for that rather than rides or play equipment.

What are the opening hours?

The park gates are open 8am to 7.30pm. The Visitor Centre only runs 10am to 4pm.

Do we need to book?

No, there's no booking link, you just turn up.

Can we bring the dog?

Dog walkers are welcome on the walks and trails.

Is it open over Christmas?

Christmas Day, the car park, café and Visitor Centre are closed, though toilets stay open as unisex only. Boxing Day and New Year's Day, the car park and toilets open from 9am but the café and centre stay shut.

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