Avon Heath Country Park
This is a short, easy walk around the delightful Avon Heath Country Park near Ringwood. You will follow a series of peaceful woodland paths on this circuit of the park. The park is dominated by lowland and wet heath, acid grassland and heather, and woodland. There is also an abundance of widlife to look out for including Sand Lizards, Smooth Snakes and Dartford Warblers.
The park is ideal for families with a Nature Nursery for children which includes den building, pond dipping, mini beast hunting, campfires and outdoor cooking.
Postcode
BH24 2DA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Avon Heath Country Park Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Avon Heath Country Park Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Avon Heath Country Park OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Avon Heath Country Park Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The park includes a lovely on site cafe where you can enjoy refreshments after your walk. They have a good menu serving delicious coffee, cake, breakfasts & lunches.
Dog Walking
The park is a great place for dog walking and you'll probably see plenty of other owners on a fine day. It's advised that you please keep them under close control as there is a lot of wildlife in the park. The cafe mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Castleman Trailway passes through the park and is a great way to continue your exercise. The shared cycling and walking trail runs from Ringwood to Poole along the disused Southampton to Dorchester railway line. On the way it visits two other fine country parks in the area - Moors Valley Country Park and Upton Country Park. Also nearby is the expansive Hurn Forest where there's miles of woodland trails to try.
Just to the north you'll find the town of Verwood. Here you can enjoy a walk around Verwood Forest, the Cranborne Common Nature Reserve and the Stephen's Castle Nature Reserve where there's a lovely viewpoint.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Avon Heath is 580 acres of heathland and woodland offering many way-marked trails and a comprehensive visitors centre.
Gorse by a sandy footpath. Here there are 580 acres of heathland and woodland offering many way-marked trails. The trails are popular with walkers and cyclists in all weathers and seasons.
Pond in Avon Heath Country Park
Wildlife Pond and Reptilian Enclosure. In the reptilian enclosure there are Slow Worms and Sand Lizards.
Woodland Sculpture. A willow sculpture of a Minotaur 'dung' beetle by local artist Olivia Keith, with the help of Beaucroft and Emmanuel Middle School pupils. The Minotaur beetle lives in sandy areas on the heath.
Wildlife Pond and Reptilian Enclosure. In the enclosure there are Slow Worms and Sand Lizards.
Car park and visitor centre.
Large Lizard sculpture.