5 of the Best Outdoor Playgrounds in Dorset Area
We love Dorset, it’s where we’re based and it’s our local community. We’re dedicated to improving our surroundings, through our community projects and through our local recycling programs.
There are so many fantastic places in Dorset to explore. Whether you’re looking for amazing countryside, enthralling history, or great attractions, there’s something for everyone. However, children aren’t always super interested in some of these things, and occasionally they need a playground to be let loose in and to perhaps give you parents a little respite.
So, here are our top 5 playgrounds in Dorset, in no particular order. Not just because they’re huge, safe and environmentally sound, but because they’re also causes well worth supporting.
Moors Valley
Moors Valley Country park and forest, at the heart of Ashley Heath in east Dorset, is over 800 acres of diverse woodland and heathland. It’s full of amazing scenery for walks, bike rides, picnics and even authentic steam train rides.
Moors Valley is a joint project by The Forestry Commission and East Dorset District Council. Not only are there stunning walks, but they have some of the best playgrounds around. The play trail covers approximately one mile through the forest and incorporates wonderful and unique timbre play equipment to climb on and inspire imaginative play.
Well designed and stimulating for little minds, with plenty of room and a safe, woodchip surface for play, Moors Valley’s outdoor playgrounds gets a thumbs up from us.
Monkey World
Monkey World is a rescue centre for primates and assists governments around the world to stop the smuggling or primates from the wild. Monkey World is a fantastic cause and well worth supporting. As you enjoy the sights of previously neglected primates enjoying and thriving in their new habitats, you will notice that children have a habit of imitation.
It’s a good job that Monkey World has an absolutely giant playground for children to enjoy. There’s ample place for parents to sit and enjoy the scenery, whilst the little ones enjoy the structures on offer.
There is an entry fee for Monkey World, but all proceeds go towards the upkeep and continued efforts of the establishment. Pricing can be found on their website, click learn more to visit the Monkey World website.
Snowtrax – Alpine Adventure Park
The Snowtrax Alpine Adventure Park is an amazing play park set in the shadow of their famous dry slope for skiing and snowboarding. The playground is sat in surrounding woodland and on the edge of a lake (complete with fish), making it the perfect imagination-playground for young ones.
The park features a giant pirate’s ship, overhead cable ride and alpine fort, providing hours of entertainment. Not to mention all the other fun structures that kids love to play on – slides, swings and trampolines.
It’s also a plus 1 in our book for using highly environmentally and child-friendly woodchip and mulch for all of the play area surfaces.
Upton Country Park Woodland Play Trail
Upton Country Park in Poole has been around for many years, but in recent years there have been some great improvements to make the park more appealing to visitors, to encourage repeat and longer visits. There is now a play trail, which comprises ten timbre play structures dotted throughout the woods. The play trail is fun for children of all ages and really helps to promote walking and being active outdoors. The walled garden has a splash fountain which is operational throughout the summer months and is a huge hit with younger children. There is a café, an art gallery, not to mention Segway tours and plenty of space for picnics and games. There is a small charge for parking but this goes towards the upkeep and development of the park and facilities.
All in all, Upton Country Park is a highly recommended family park with a great timbre play trail, and lots of other events held throughout the year.
Avon Heath Country Park
Avon Heath county park is a Green Flag awarded park which is well equipped for a great family day out. With everything from exploring the heathland, orienteering and activity trails (including a different treasure trail during every school holiday) you can thoroughly wear out the little ones and work up an appetite before stopping for a picnic, grabbing something in the Avon Heath café, or you could even hire a BBQ. In fact, if you live a little further away, there are even holiday cottages for hire! Avon Health Country Park also offers children’s parties which include activities such as den building, fire lighting and mini beast safari.
There is a great children’s play area available, with a zip wire, climbing wall, a treehouse, wooden climbing structures and even a trampoline. Children of all ages will love the spacious play area which has been designed to fit aesthetically into the surroundings and uses playground woodchip and mulch for an environmentally friendly, and child-safe playground surface.
Get Outside This Weekend!
So, if you haven’t got any other plans this weekend, why not head out to one of these awesome outdoor playgrounds with your family and friends? Get some fresh air, increase your step count for the day and spend some quality time together as a family without the constant indoor interruptions of TVs and games consoles!
All our top 5 playgrounds in this blog are big hits with us for their use of playground wood chip and mulch for their playground surface. Making them environmentally friendly, toxic-free and child-safe.
